10 Reasons Why You Are Not Losing Weight ...

By Jennifer

You've been a very good girl, dieting for weeks, but you step on the scale and that number hasn't budged since your last weigh in. What gives? No worries, lovie. There are lots of reasons you're Not Losing Weight, and some of them are pretty easy fixes. So before you swear off dieting for good and slide back into your frumpy too-big sweatpants, let's review. Here are 10 reasons why you're not losing weight.

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1

You're Not Being Realistic

Let's face it: no matter how hard you try, no matter what diet you follow, you are not going to lose 20 pounds in 2 days. You have got to set realistic expectations, so you're not disappointed, thus quitting your diet. And if you quit your diet, of course, you're not losing weight.

2

You're Not Keeping Track of All Your Calories

Dieting to lose weight is really a math problem, isn't it? The calories you consume must be fewer than the calories you burn, and you'll lose weight. If you're not losing weight, then maybe you're not counting your calories, and that's a very good place to start.

3

You're Not Sure about Serving Sizes

Let's try a quick experiment: grab a cereal bowl, and pour what you think is a serving size. Now measure it, and compare that against what the box says is a serving size. Chances are, you poured about two and a half servings. That's fine, as long as you're counting the calories for two and a half servings. The moral? Be aware of serving sizes, and count the calories in them accordingly.

4

You're Not Exercising (or Maybe Not Enough)

You are not going to lose weight by dieting alone. You absolutely must exercise, regularly and strenuously, too. Not only will you not be losing weight, you'll become the skinniest flabby girl on the planet, and that's just not the look you're going for.

5

You're following a Fad

Do some fad diets, like Atkins, work? Yes... with a caveat. The trick is that once you go back to real life — no one can go without carbs forever! — your old eating habits will still be there, and you'll gain all the weight you lost right back. Forget the fads. Follow a healthful, well-rounded diet, pair that with regular, strenuous exercise, and you'll lose your extra weight, and keep it off for good.

Famous Quotes

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Plutarch
6

You're Dealing with a Side Effect

Watch any TV commercial for any prescription drug, and at the end of the commercial, you'll hear a long, frightening list of side effects. Listed among them might be unexpected weight gain... so check the side effects of any prescription drugs you're taking, and see if, perhaps, that's why you're not losing weight.

7

You're at a Plateau

You've been dieting successfully for weeks or months, then suddenly, even though you're still following your diet, the scale stays put. This is so common, there's a word for it: a plateau. Don't worry. Stick to your regimen and diet, and you'll get over the hump, and start losing pounds and inches again.

8

You're Not Sleeping Well

This may sound weird, but did you know that people who sleep as they should actually lose weight more effectively than people who don't? Perhaps this is an improvement over the old “beauty sleep” adage?

9

You're Eating 3 Big Meals

Here's something else that sounds odd, but may explain why you're not losing weight. Eating five small meals a day, rather than three large meals a day, can help keep your metabolism rocking, and help you lose weight.

10

Your Scale is Broken!

And finally, of course, is the explanation that makes the most technical sense. If you've been following your diet and exercise routine, if your clothes are fitting better, and if you're darn sure you've lost weight, but your scale doesn't register it, then perhaps it's time to get a new scale!

See? It's not hopeless! Go down this list, and see if your reason might be lurking here. If not, there could also be something medical going on, so consult your doctor. And don't give up! You'll get there, girl, back in your skinny jeans before spring! Or maybe you've already overcome some of these weight loss obstacles... if so, how? What was holding you back from losing weight? Please share!

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Hi, there =) Thanks for these tips! I myself am trying to lose over fifty pounds, but these tips have helped me lose some :)

Hi! I love this website. It is really awesome for not just weightloss, but so many other things too! I am 5'7 and weigh 130 and 21. I am trying to lose ten pounds, get back to my high school weight, and have a toned, flat stomach again. I eat much less than I have in the past and well (about 1900 calories a day, which includes good fruits and vegetables and lean meats and lots of water), do 30 minutes of cardio and strength training every morning and have been doing this for probably about a month and I only seem to fluxuate between 125 (on a really good day) and 130 and can never seem to get any lower than that. I am just confused with how to keep going as I am not seeing any serious results, just a lot of ups and downs. Most of the weight is around my stomach and I just want it to go away. Any tips? Thanks!

Great tips!

How many minutes/hours per day should i exercise?

How soon after being sick can you go back to exercise? I have just got another cold and don't want to risk a 3rd!

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