There could be a medical reason why it’s harder for you to lose weight
Does this sound familiar? You’ve decided to try for the gazillionth time to lose weight. You’ve downloaded a fitness tracker. You’re eating way more fruits and vegetables. You’re mindful of your carb consumption. You sweat your butt off with daily youtube workout videos. I mean, you’re keeping a food journal for goodness sake. But once again, your body is not responding to anything you do, and you just can’t lose the weight you feel you should be losing.
According to the Washington Post, 45 million Americans start diets every year. Most dieticians and nutritionists agree that short term diets are best when paired with long term lifestyle changes. But unfortunately, underlying health conditions can prevent the best-intentioned dieter from seeing the results they long for.
This can be a frustrating situation but trust me when I say you’re not alone. Many people have difficulties losing weight, and it’s not because they’re secret couch potatoes. As hard as we try, and despite our best efforts, some medical conditions make it much harder for people to lose weight. If you have a question about any of these conditions, consult your physician, and always advocate for your health.
Hormones play a huge factor in a person losing weight
According to Hormone Health Network, there are over 50 hormones working inside the human body, and many of them regulate body weight. Medical research has discovered that if even one of these hormones stops working the way it should, this can cause a hormone imbalance, which can create difficulty in losing weight and keeping weight off.
Insulin resistance is an example of a hormone imbalance that affects millions of Americans. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels and is a storage system for glucose within the liver. The insulin your body produces allows your cells to use the glucose for energy. But someone with insulin resistance, their cells are not able to use the stored glucose effectively, and the increased levels of blood sugar create fat within the body, leading to weight gain and the development of diabetes.
When talking about unexpected weight gain or the inability to lose weight, you might have heard about hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland produces hormones that help to regulate the metabolism and directs the use of energy stored within the body. Medical News Today states, “Even mild cases of hypothyroidism may increase the risk of weight gain and obesity. People with the condition often report having a puffy face as well as excess weight around the stomach or other areas of the body.”
Men are not immune to the hormone struggle of weight loss
Research from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that 1 in 4 men over 30 have low testosterone, and most don’t even know it. This condition is called Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) or Low Testosterone (Low-T). Not all men exhibit symptoms from Low -T but if you do, they can range from low sex drive, reduced lean muscle, diabetes, and obesity. According to WebMD, “Testosterone helps the body’s tissues take up more blood sugar in response to insulin. Men with low testosterone more often have insulin resistance: they need to produce more insulin to keep blood sugar normal.”
Both men and women naturally produce testosterone and estrogen, but when men have a testosterone deficiency, more estrogen tends to be present in the body. This occurrence can lead to men developing larger breasts, a condition called gynecomastia. It’s more common in older men between 50 and 80 years old but can also be a challenge for younger men trying to lose weight or build muscle in the chest area. Testosterone replacement therapy is a common treatment for men experiencing Low-T and can help to resolve gynecomastia, as well as other symptoms related to testosterone deficiency syndrome.
Too much stress could be a reason that you’re not losing weight
Have you ever accused yourself of stress eating? Well, it’s an actual thing and not just an excuse to down your favorite snacks. Stress on its own can lead to many unhealthy habits, but sometimes stress is triggered in the body without us even knowing.
Cortisol is known as the stress hormone. It does several things in the body including managing how your body uses energy from carbohydrates and fats. It also increases your blood sugar and controls your sleep/wake cycle- all things very important when it comes to losing weight. When you experience stress, this hormone not only slows down your metabolism but increases your appetite, stimulating cravings for sweet, salty, and fatty foods.
When your body produces too much cortisol, this can lead to a condition called Cushing’s Syndrome, causing effects such as rapid weight gain, diabetes, and other health problems. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 10–15 per million people are affected each year, with females accounting for about 70 percent of all cases.
Weight gain is a common side effect for people using insulin
Anyone with type 1 diabetes and many with type 2 diabetes undergoes some form of insulin therapy. Medical News Today states, “During digestion, insulin stimulates muscle, fat, and liver cells to absorb glucose. The cells either use this glucose for energy or convert it into fat for long-term storage.” Because insulin therapy assists your body in storing fat, many people put on extra pounds by eating more than what is needed for the day.
Weight gain from insulin therapy can be frustrating, but it’s important to remember not to skip meals. The balance of food intake and insulin medication is very fragile. Although tempting, skipping meals to lose weight while on insulin therapy can trigger dangerous reactions resulting in low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Instead, talk to your doctor about optional medications that can reduce your insulin dosage while managing your weight only if appropriate for your specific medical condition. You can also work with medical professionals such as dieticians and endocrinologists to learn what foods are best and how much, and how often you should be eating.
The medication you’re taking could be preventing you from losing weight
Gaining weight from medication is more common than you might think. It’s not actually the medication itself that produces weight gain, but the side effects that go with it. Some medications can stimulate your appetite, causing you to crave more food, while others slow your metabolism, making it harder for your body to burn calories. Some medications also affect the way that sugar and other nutrients are absorbed or stored in your body.
According to the Obesity Action Coalition, “Certain prescription medications, not all, such as those used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, mood disorders, seizures, and even migraines, can actually cause weight gain.” But not everyone is affected by the same medications in the same ways. And not all side effects of medication are related to appetite. You could be taking a medication that leaves you short of breath and fatigued, making it more difficult to exercise during the day.
If you suspect that your medication has a side effect making you gain weight, keep a food journal, monitor your symptoms, and consult your physician. Never stop taking medication unless directed by a doctor.
Your sleeping habits can affect your weight loss
Sleep deprivation is no joke, ya’ll. Ask any parent of a newborn, and you’ll hear an ecstatic yet delirious Amen! What many people don’t realize, lack of sleep could be contributing to your lack of weight loss. It’s easy to fall into the cycle of being tired, drinking or eating sugary, calorie-dense foods for a boost, not having enough energy to work out, and then being too restless for a good night’s sleep.
It’s not just the unwanted extra calories to stay awake that effects your weight. Dr. Michael Breus, Ph.D., author of Beauty Sleep, and the clinical director of the sleep division for Arrowhead Health in Glendale, Ariz explains, “It’s not so much that if you sleep, you will lose weight, but if you are sleep-deprived, meaning that you are not getting enough minutes of sleep or good quality sleep, your metabolism will not function properly.”
The Sleep Foundation.org has done many studies on the correlation between sleep, obesity, and weight loss. Some research-based tips they suggest for improving sleep are keeping a sleep journal, sleeping in a dark room, not eating before bed, reducing stress, and waking early.
