Reasons Why You Are Not Losing Weight

When a lot of people set out on a diet and exercise program to lose weight they expect miracles.  Susan Kraus, MS, RD, a dietitian at the Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey confirms this.  She adds it takes much longer to actually lose weight.  Furthermore, there are many mistakes one can make along the way.  Here are some reasons you might not be losing weight.

You Are Just Not Exercising Enough

Experts report that many people simply overestimate just how much they are true when theyre exercising.  The fact is that there are a number of different factors that determine the number of calories you burn when you exercise.  They include such things as the type of exercise, the intensity and duration of exercise and whether or not you vary the exercise.

You will burn more calories engaging in weight-bearing exercise such as aerobics, walking and running.  With these exercises gravity makes your body work harder.  Non-weight-bearing exercises such as swimming and bicycling do not put as much gravitational stress on your muscles, so you burn fewer calories.  Physical fitness pundits state that the best way to monitor your exercise is to keep a journal and use a heart monitor.  This way you will be totally aware of the actual intensity and duration and then determine how the intensity and duration can be increased.

You Are Not Getting Enough Sleep

Numerous research studies have reported a connection between a significant lack of sleep and weight gain and/or eating more.  According to a study by the Mayo Clinic, people who are tired actually eat (on average) 500 extra calories each day. Kraus confirms that a lack of sleep could adversely impact on the correct order of the numerous regulatory hormones that are released at night and whenever one sleeps.  Staying up later at night can also lead to the consumption of more calories if you snack while watching late-night television or party with your friends. 

You Are Too Stressed

Research conducted at the University of Pittsburgh and the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago revealed that stress can cause weight gain in women, especially middle-aged women.  There is a definite link between fat conservation and altered sleep patterns.  Both are potentially related to hormones although a significant number of women manage their emotions with food and eat without any thought because the food is easily accessible and a quick source of comfort.  Krauss states that this is quite an easy way for calories to add up. 

You Are Skipping Meals

Skipping meals might initially seem like a good idea but the truth is that skipping meals can cause cravings and overeating later.  This can result in eating anything available which could not only make up for any missed calories but perhaps even cause you to take in more than normal.  A study at the Vanderbilt University demonstrated that after about three days of eating inconsistently, your body will shut down its ability to burn calories and start storing fat.  Research also indicated that after seven days, healthy women lost 16 percent of their resting energy expenditure.  This led to an increase of fat storage and a marked decrease metabolism as well.