New Year, new resolutions, and oftentimes, those New Year’s resolutions involve the dreaded “D” word: dieting. New Year’s resolutions are often synonymous with dieting and weight loss, more than other goals such as saving money for a car or house, cutting down on other expenses, and self-improvement habits. In line with this, did you know that the U.S. weight loss market was seen to have a decline of 9% due to the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020? That’s according to PRNewswire, but as per CNBC, the diet and weight loss industry is currently valued at $71 billion industry. This is indicative of how many people are still gearing towards losing weight and keeping it off. But what if you don’t? This is why we’ll tackle reasons why you’re not losing weight and how to fight it.

One common question that dieters have at some point in their weight loss journey is, “Why am I not losing weight?” Before we attempt to answer this question, one must note that every single body is different and there are a number of factors that go into how one loses weight. Uncontrollable factors such as genetics also play a role in how quickly or slowly one loses weight. But today, we’ll discuss some of the reasons why you’re not losing weight and how to fight it.

Some Common Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight

1. The scale isn’t telling you the whole story. If you are a dieter who only considers what the scale says as a gauge if you’ve lost weight, then you might not be getting the right insights to your weight loss journey. According to Healthline, weight loss depends on your food intake and water retention, as well as the muscles you gain from exercising. So if you hit a plateau, it is possible that you are gaining muscle just as you are losing fat in your body. The solution? Don’t rely on the scale alone. Grab a measuring tape and measure your arms, legs, waist, and other body parts and make sure to document your progress week by week, month by month. You can also measure your body fat percentage every month to keep track of your progress. It also wouldn’t hurt to check yourself out in the mirror. Notice how clothes fit and see if there is a difference.
2. You’re not getting enough good quality sleep. Did you know that sleep has a major impact on our bodies’ wellness? According to the Sleep Foundation, lack of sleep affects how the brain regulates the neurotransmitters ghrelin and leptin, which are both responsible for controlling appetite. By not getting the right amount of sleep, these neurotransmitters tend to have a “dysregulation,” which causes people to have an increased appetite and decreased feeling of fullness, which means we tend to consume more food within the day. The solution? Get more good quality sleep. Make adjustments to your routine and your sleeping area if necessary. Avoid using electronics within an hour of bedtime and create routines that contribute to better sleep at night.
3. You are sedentary for most of the day. If you’re working out and yet spend the entire day sitting and working on the computer, chances are you have difficulty losing weight. The reason behind this, according to Shape, is that the body halts the production of a fat-inhibiting enzyme called lipase when we stay seated for hours every day. The solution? Get up and move every few minutes, even if it’s as short as 2 minutes. Health experts also recommend monitoring your time seated by putting an alarm on your phone or computer, or using an activity tracker. It’s also beneficial to get in those extra steps by taking the stairs in your apartment if you’re working from home, parking a bit farther than usual (as long as it is safe), or going for a quick walk in your backyard.
4. You are not hydrated enough. Staying hydrated is key in weight loss, as thirst can make you more likely to grab juices, sodas, or sugary caffeinated drinks. Grabbing such drinks will earn you more calories to burn, which nobody wants. The solution? Bring a reusable insulated water bottle with you wherever you go, even if you’re working at home. Make sure to take a sip every now and then and try to consume about 2 to 6 cups of water everyday to stay hydrated. Being full with water will make you less likely to go through a Starbucks drive through or order a sweet smoothie. It will save you money too!
5. You’re not reading food labels. Did you know that some “healthy” snacks are actually packed with sugar or sugar alternatives? Some sports drinks are also packed with sugar, which not only add calories, it also affects your blood sugar as well. The solution? Make it a habit to read food labels and see what truly goes into your sports drinks or granola bars. Or better yet, make your own!
6. You don’t limit alcohol. Sure, red wine is good for you, but in moderate amounts. Just because you worked out today doesn’t mean you can down an entire wine bottle. This also leads us to another reason: You reward your workouts with food that is sugary, salty, or too indulgent. The solution? Remember that everything should be done in moderation. If you’re used to a glass of wine every other night, try cutting down to just twice or thrice a week, or just on weekends. As for rewards, try going for smaller, more moderate portions if you really cannot do without grabbing a slice of apple pie to celebrate a milestone.
7. You’re always stressed. There’s a reason why they call it stress eating. According to WebMD, feeling stressed makes you more likely to go for unhealthy, high-calorie food options to comfort you during trying times. The solution? Identify your stressors and try to deal with them in a more positive way that does not involve food. Meditate, write down your thoughts in a journal, or pick up a new hobby like paint-by-numbers or puzzles.

Products to Help Boost Weight Loss

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1. Yamay Fitness Tracker

2. Innotech Smart Weighing Scale

3. Tree Tribe Stainless Steel Water Bottle

4. Pink Stork Detox Tea

5. Nature's Base Turmeric Curcumin with Ginger and Apple Cider Vinegar

1. Yamay Fitness Tracker, a waterproof smart watch that accurately tracks all-day steps, calorie consumption, distance traveled, heart rate, and even sleep quality. Features enhanced battery life and is compatible with most iOS 8.0 and Android 4.4 devices and above. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
2. Innotech Smart Weighing Scale, an innovative weighing scale that analyzes 9 essential measurements of the body, including weight, body fat, water, muscle mass, BMI, BMR, visceral fat, bone mass, and protein, with data available through the Innotech Scale App. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
3. Tree Tribe Stainless Steel Water Bottle, with 20 oz capacity and a double walled, vacuum insulated design that keeps water cold for up to 12 hours and hot for 6. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
4. Pink Stork Detox Tea, which supports the body’s weight loss, digestion, detoxification, and colon and liver health, with 100% organic herbs such as green tea, dandelion, ginger, stinging nettle. Rated 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
5. Nature’s Base Turmeric Curcumin with Ginger and Apple Cider Vinegar, containing natural antioxidants to help detox and cleanse the body while infusing it with naturally occurring probiotics and enzymes. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Products to Support Healthy Weight Loss

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1. Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder in Creamy Chocolate Fudge

2. GoMacro MacroBar Organic Vegan Protein Bars in Double Chocolate + Peanut Butter Chips

3. Nutracure Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies

4. Nordic Lifting Ankle and Wrist Weights

5. DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser

1. Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder in Creamy Chocolate Fudge, a vegan, gluten-free organic plant based protein made of up pea, brown rice, and chia seeds. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
2. GoMacro MacroBar Organic Vegan Protein Bars in Double Chocolate + Peanut Butter Chips, with plant-based protein in a satisfying bar that provides a healthy energy boost. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
3. Nutracure Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies, formulated with powerful probiotics without the sour vinegar taste and as much as 500mg of raw, unfiltered ACV with “the mother.” Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
4. Nordic Lifting Ankle and Wrist Weights, designed for durability with reinforced stitching and neoprene padding, great for home workouts, walking, jogging, and more. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
5. DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser, which lets you get more activity and healthy motion even while working at the office or working at your home desk with its 8 calibrated resistance settings and magnetic resistance mechanism. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

For more healthy lifestyle tips and ideas, catch up with these stories that you may have missed from The Teelie Blog. Don’t forget to sign up for the weekly newsletter so you can be the first to find out about amazing deals, sales, and discounts in the market today.

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