Light Side of Health

10 Reasons Why You Might NOT Be Losing Weight

I spent most of my college years going up and down on the scale. I have experienced the pain & frustration of not achieving the desired results, especially when I felt like I was giving it my all. Not to mention all the money I had wasted.

Through trial and error, 7 health certifications later, and over 10 years of helping others achieve their goals, this is what I have found to be the biggest culprits.

1. Eating A LOT of Healthy Food 

Yes, you have heard the saying before, “not all calories are created equal” but guess what too much of anything (really the only exception being greens & vegetables) is a bad thing. Almond butter, coconut oil, bison, etc. are all great for you but go over the recommended portion amount and you will be spilling over your jeans. Also, those paleo or gluten-free baked goodies may be without certain ingredients you are avoiding but they can be higher in calories and even fat than regular baked items.

2.  Fad Diets

This month was keto, last month was vegan. Most diets work for a period of time. Do you plan on keeping it up though is the question? Life is meant to be lived. Food is meant to be eaten. Chances are if you are forcing yourself to eat a certain way that brings you zero enjoyment and removes you from a good number of social settings you won’t keep it up. Ditch the diets and just eat REAL food.

3. Self-Righteously Gluten-Free

Did you know celiac disease only affects 1% of the population? So while gluten, should be kept to a minimum, foods that naturally carry gluten should generally be limited anyways. Eating gluten-free donuts, pretzels, pizzas are basically the same as eating donuts, pretzels, and pizza just without gluten but with all the calories, sugar, and unhealthy fat.

4. Fake Meat

Please tell me what is natural about eating FAKE meat? Unless you plan on making a veggie burger yourself or ones that last no more than two days in the fridge, you are really just eating a bunch of fake crap.

5. Diet Coke

Throw it all out. It is loaded with chemicals. It really is no different than Coca-Cola. There is no way around this.

6. Sugar-Free

To a degree, there is a natural amount of occurring sugar in everything. Substituting sugar with fake sugar and sugar-free syrup can actually be more harmful to you in the long run. You are basically dumping chemicals in your coffee. I did this all throughout my early 20s. I always had the worst stomach issues and was constantly bloated. While I do my best to keep sugar to a minimum, if I am craving a little sweetness I go for natural sweeteners like coconut sugar and maple syrup.

7. Killing Yourself in The Gym

Are you a professional athlete? Do you have 10-12 hours to sleep? Are you in constant contact with an athletic trainer (someone who is borderline a doctor/physical therapist)? Have time to get in the sauna and deep tissue massage treatments on a weekly basis? Now don’t take this as an excuse NOT to workout. I workout 5 days a week but I do listen to my body and not every day is an all-out sprint or marathon. Your body needs rest and recovery. It is an 80% diet anyways and if you don’t allow your body to properly recover or space out your intense workouts it can actually lead to inflammation, spikes in cortisol, a lowered immune system, and poor sleep quality. With that said find balance in your workout routine. Mix up high and low-intensity days. It will keep it fun. Variety is the spice of life.

8.  Not Sleeping

Quality sleep is critical to weight loss and balancing out your hormones.

9. Too Much Booze

I love wine. I also like a good Ranch water, but it all has to be within the limit, especially now being in my late 30s, Try to keep alcohol only to the weekends.

10. Obsessing

There is a big difference between taking action & thinking about something all the time. I used to be constantly worried about my weight, and you know what I did when I would worry, have moments of low confidence due to comparison or feelings of shame…I would eat more. Value yourself and take action. Whatever your starting point is, think that you already have got it going on. You would be amazed what happens when confidence meets action. The worry goes away and results come into play. I did a fitness competition a few years ago. It was the skinniest I ever was and you know what I never felt uglier, fatter, etc. I was emotionally a train wreck. If you aren’t happy with yourself at your starting point, you won’t be happy when you get to your finish point. Embrace the authentic you.

Here is the deal when it comes to weight loss, it requires time, patience, and figuring out what works best for your body. I have done every fad diet out there. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago, where I really got into cooking REAL foods (carbs included) did I find both at peace and happiness in my mental &  physical state.  Here is my equation. Hopefully, it works for you:

Love Yourself (Acceptance) + Real Food + Quality Workout + Self-Discipline + Quality Sleep + Community Outreach = Healthy + Happy Me

That really is a long equation but everything in life that is worth it takes work and dedication. When you are healthy, you are able to step into your true purpose. Light Side of Health was created to empower people to step into their true purpose by delivering affordable health programs and products. We are also hoping to spread HOPE and help those most vulnerable. With each purchase $1 – $5 goes to a terrific organization known as Food For The Soul. Food For The Soul delivers not only HOPE but provides nourishing food to those in need.

In January our 90 Day Keep Growing Nutrition & Fitness Challenge kicks off. Patrons and subscribers receive full access and support. Check out our SHOP, subscribe to our premium site, or give the gift of health and hope this Holiday season!

Keep Growing, Keep Going!

4 Responses

  1. GINA UM SERIOUSLY. WE HAVE THE SAME BRAIN. THE SAME BRAINNNNN!!!!! I could not agree with you more on ALL fronts and we are so making one of my videos about exposing the FAKES together!

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