Why am I not losing the weight?

I’m doing everything, but I’m not losing any more weight. What am I doing wrong? Without seeing you, it’s difficult to say, but let’s rule out a few things, and yes you could have hit a plateau.

But for the majority of you, it all boils down to one of three things:

1. You’re not working hard enough, or your exercise program needs to change.
2. You’re not eating like you should be to support your goals.
3. A combination of both.

Usually it ends up being number 3. Did you really just have ONE glass of wine each night this week? (Which by the way one serving is 5 ounces! not 12!) Or did it ‘one’ glass turn into two glasses? (Which really equates to 4-5 servings!) Or how about the processed Deli Meat you had for lunch? What about the bread? Those calories add up very quickly.

Alcohol slows down fat loss. Period. Before you say, there’s no way I’m giving up my daily box of Boone’s Farm, think about what you’re saying. Is it worth it? Drinking alcohol on a regular or everyday basis can, and WILL, sabotage your efforts to lose weight. Alcohol (not just liquor but also beer and wine!) is a refined carbohydrate, similar to sugar, sweets, and white flour. Everyone knows candy and fats are bad for you, but people tend to ‘overlook’ alcohol. Besides just adding simple calories, alcohol may raise blood sugar and insulin levels, which IS a recipe for weight gain………………..

How about your workouts? Did you do what your trainer told you to throughout the week? Or did you get caught up at work and put off the gym? “I’ll just workout longer tomorrow” or “I’ll add a walk today”.

Did you read People Magazine while you worked out on the treadmill? Or did you and your girlfriend talk about Jennifer Aniston’s new haircut while you were suppose to be doing your circuits? Was the intensity there? Doesn’t mean “no pain, no gain” but working up a good sweat….. Maybe it’s time to switch up your routine, try a resistance training routine.

Those are the questions you need to sit back and ask yourself. Are you doing EVERYTHING in your power and utilizing all the tools you have to make yourself successful??

I know you have all probably heard it before but…keep track of your food intake. If you’re really serious about losing weight, you need to get serious about your eating. I tell all my clients; diet is 60-70% of weight loss and leaning out. Start by keeping a detailed food journal for one week, without changing any of your eating habits. And be as specific, really measure it all out, and add up your calories for each day. You’ll be surprised how those calories can sneak up on you when you’re not keeping track!

I could go on and on forever about dieting and exercise. And I will. This topic is just too important and is the key for continued and safe weight loss. So spend the time and make sure you have things in place, don’t set yourself up for failure……..

Bad excuses are worse than none. Make it happen.

I realize there are people out there who are constantly dieting, exercising on a regular basis and have tried every trick in the book. Yet still are having trouble. Sometimes it just may be health related.

There are many factors within our bodies that are out of our control that can trigger weight gain as well. Simple things such as stress, high blood pressure, and depression, are all common diseases that can trigger weight gain and/or prevent your body from losing weight. Along with these problems, certain drug prescriptions can also be a trigger weight gain.

Watch your stress Level. When you live with anxiety and stress, your body tends to produce a chemical substance — like the hormone cortisol — that makes your body more likely to store fat.

Under active thyroid or Hypothyroidism. If your thyroid is underactive, your body may not produce enough thyroid hormone to help burn stored fat. With that, your metabolism is much slower and you will be storing more fat than you burn.

Insulin Resistance. When your body is resistant to the hormone insulin, other hormones that help control your metabolism don’t work as well.

DO NOT GIVE UP! Although it is difficult to lose weight gained because of a medical condition that is out of your control or medication that you have to take, it is not an impossible task! And with a good support network of family and friends, a consistent workout regimen, and a healthy moderate diet, you too can make it happen!

Here's an example of a workout LeeAnne has done in the past--it's at her level and experience. The exercises can be changed based on your level, keep in mind the pace.