Why am I unable to lose weight?

It’s only human nature to wonder if those weights will ever come off especially after you’ve tried so hard but the scale wouldn’t budge. But don’t raise the white flag and chuck your diet just yet. See if one of these sneaky things is secretly messing with your weight loss hopes.

Is it because I skip breakfast?

It could be. When you take a pass on that first meal of the day, it can work against you. You’re likely to get hungrier later, so you may overdo it at lunch.

Try to eat within an hour of waking up. A high-fiber, protein-packed breakfast can help you feel full, longer.

Do I eat too close to bedtime?

A late-night meal can spell trouble for your weight loss plan. It may raise your body temperature, blood sugar, and insulin, which makes it harder for you to burn fat. Try to eat dinner at least 3 hours before you go to sleep.

Be careful about snacking after supper. You take in more calories than you realize when you nibble while you watch TV or use the computer.

Is it because I’m under too much stress?

It’s possible. It can make you reach for high-calorie, high-fat foods. Your body also tends to store more fat when you’re stressed out.

To reduce stress, try exercise or meditation.

Is it because of my gender?

It could make a difference in how you lose weight. A recent study suggests it’s easier for men to drop pounds quickly. But women tend to have more success with long-term efforts.

Where you lose weight can also differ. Guys lose belly fat first, but that area can be tougher for the ladies.

Do I burn calories more slowly than other people?

Possibly. How fast you burn them is based on your metabolism.

If you have a slow metabolism, your genes may be to blame. Or you may not have enough lean muscle mass. People with lean, muscular bodies burn more calories than people with a higher percentage of body fat.

Am I getting enough sleep?

When you don’t get your ZZZs, it can make it harder to lose weight. Your metabolism may slow and you won’t burn calories as fast as you’d like.

You may also have less energy when you don’t get enough sleep. That makes it harder to exercise.

Is it my genes?

Maybe. Some bodies are simply better at burning fat than others. It’s something you inherit from your parents or grandparents.

You don’t have any control over the genes that were passed to you, so you may need to work a little harder to burn calories and lose weight.