5 Things That Make Healthy Weight Loss (Very) Difficult

So, you’ve decided to lose weight, but the scale’s not budging. You're not alone! Weight loss is more complicated than simply having willpower. Here’s what makes it difficult and how to achieve your goal weight, despite the challenges.

The majority of American adults (almost three-fourths) are classified as overweight or obese. However, it’s not due to a lack of weight loss attempts. Many people who desire weight loss struggle to reach their goal weight healthily or are unable to maintain their lost weight in the long term.

Weight loss is tough, and not just because you’ve "cheated" on your diet. While the odds are stacked against you, understanding the barriers and how to overcome them is step one.

Begin your weight loss journey by scheduling an appointment with David Schumacher, MD, FACS, FASMBS, at Ohio Bariatrics and Laparoscopy in Springboro, Ohio.

Reasons why healthy weight loss is difficult

Here are the top five reasons that healthy weight loss is difficult:

1. Stress and emotional eating

Stress and emotional eating are common and make weight loss difficult.

Why?

Ongoing stress can lead to higher cortisol levels, which often boost appetite and your calorie intake. Because about one half of Americans are stressed at least once weekly, weight loss and healthy weight management are challenging for many.

2. Highly processed food supply

Modern diets are often packed with calorie-dense, nutrient-light foods that contribute to overeating. About 60% of foods bought by Americans contain food additives.

Ultra-processed foods are often low in fiber and other satiating nutrients but high in added sugar. Willpower vs. food science? It’s easy to see why it’s not a fair fight.

3. Hormone fluctuations

Stress isn’t the only cause of weight-changing hormone fluctuations. Aging in people of all genders can alter testosterone, estrogen, or other hormone levels. This can increase your appetite, alter your metabolism, and make weight loss seem nearly impossible.

4. Healthy weight loss takes time

A healthy rate of weight loss maintainable long-term is often just 1-2 pounds weekly, which many dieters don’t have the patience for. Instead, they turn to fad diets that significantly cut food groups or calories.

While rapid weight loss through fad dieting may seem motivating in the short term, these diets are often difficult to maintain in the long term.

5. Sleep deprivation

Up to 70 million Americans experience sleep loss, and studies show that sleep insufficiency is linked to an increased appetite and energy intake, especially from high-fat, high-carb snacks.

Lack of sleep can alter your hormones and metabolism, making healthy weight loss difficult.

Ways to shed pounds and keep them off

If you’re ready to make weight loss easier (despite its many challenges), see Dr. Schumacher for an evaluation.

He offers custom nutrition plans and bariatric procedures, such as duodenal switch, single anastomosis duodenal switch (SIPS), gastric band, gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and the Apollo Overstitch procedure to help you maintain your target weight for a lifetime.

Are you ready to begin a successful weight loss journey? Contact us today at Ohio Bariatrics and Laparoscopy by phone or online to get started.