Things that you maybe doing wrong that can explain why you’re not able to lose weight despite efforts (Picture Credit: Pexels)
We all have different body types. Some of us have the gift of not putting on any weight despite gorging on desserts and junk food and then there’s this category of people who put on weight even when they eat in moderation and make healthy food choices. People who fall in the latter category often have this question that they desperately seek answer to and that is ‘Why am I not able to lose weight despite eating right?’.
Moneycontrol’s team reached out to Dr Sandeep Kharb, senior consultant, endocrinology, Asian Hospital, to understand more about the issue. “See, I get this question all the time. People come to me and ask me ‘Doctor, I eat healthy but my weight doesn’t move’. The truth is, weight loss is not just about food. Hormones have an outsized role to play here too. Issues like thyroid, sugar, stress, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can hamper any efforts made to lose weight,” the doctor explained.
“I remember giving consultation to a lady who ate well, but slept only five hours a day. I told her to fix her sleep cycle and it was only then she was able to lose weight gradually over the years,” Dr Kharb shared, serving a reminder to all of us that a healthy overall lifestyle also has a significant bearing on how one’s body functions.
Dr Kharb stresses if listed below things are not kept under check, it can adversely impact any attempt to lose weight in a holistic manner.
Thyroid
“See, when one has thyroid, the body’s ability to function well also slows down. So, even if you eat less, you won’t lose weight easily. What’s more is that many people don’t even come to know they have thyroid till we test it,” he shared.
Sugar (Diabetes)
When sugar goes up, the insulin in your body also remains high. The high insulin levels are to be blamed for making fat stick instead of allowing the body to burn it properly, Dr Kharb told Moneycontrol.
Stress
Stress is the cause of many problems we see these days. When you are stressed, you feel anxious and even hungry. Eating is seen by many as a way to relieve stress, which further complicates the problem. In fact, eating disorders happen by and large due to body feeling persistently stressed out.
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PCOS
PCOS is very common problem among women now. The symptoms are when period cycle becomes irregular, facial hair grows and when weight issues crop up. All of this happens, because of hormonal imbalance.
Eating healthy but too much
“Some people tell me, “Doctor, I only eat fruits and dry fruits!” But see, even that has calories. Eating healthy is great, but if you eat more than what you need, it will reflect on weighing scale,” Dr Kharb shared.
Less sleep
Sleep deprivation can result in many problems, including stress, anxiety and overeating. You start feeling hungry even when you don’t need food.
No walking or movement
Many people eat right, but don’t get enough movement through the day. Even a 30 minute walk daily can be very helpful. No movement is a big factor contributing to obesity among people.
Irregular routineSome people eat breakfast late, others may skip lunch and the worst case is when people have dinner very late in the night. The doctor explained that all these irregularities confuses the body. “So, one must try to eat on time and this will allow your system to function at its optimum level,” he doctor concluded.
Also read: Bengaluru-based fitness coach shares 25 tips that will help you get in best shape
FAQs on why people are not able to lose weight despite eating healthy:
Q. Why am I not losing weight if I eat healthy foods?
You may still be eating more calories than your body burns, even from healthy foods like nuts or avocados.
Q. Can stress affect weight loss?
Yes. Stress increases cortisol, a hormone that can slow metabolism and promote fat storage.
Q. Does sleep impact weight loss?
Poor sleep disrupts hunger hormones, making you crave more food and reducing energy for exercise.
Q. Is exercise necessary if I eat healthy?
While diet matters most, physical activity boosts metabolism and helps preserve lean muscle mass.
Q. Could hidden calories be the problem?
Definitely — sauces, drinks, and “healthy” snacks can contain more calories than you realize.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.