Trouble Losing Weight - Weightloss Problem

Having a weightloss problem?

After a few weeks of dieting many people start to experience trouble losing further weight. Most problems start to occur when the body has had time to adapt to a new diet, exercise or a change in lifestyle. Its important to understand possible reasons why these problems occur, because having trouble losing weight often leads to a lowered motivation to exercise and a lost interest in becoming healthier.

Human body adaptations which contribute to slow weight loss Physiological effects...

· energy balance regulation causes the body to adapt to the amount of calories you decide to consume

· decrease in metabolic rate after calorie reduction, caused from the net loss of protein & hormonal changes

· decrease in total energy expenditure due to a lighter body after losing weight

· less energy expended from Thermic Effect of Food (energy cost to digest & assimilate food) - less food eaten equals less TEF

Exercise effects...

· Efficient energy system (fitness) develops when constantly repeating same exercise - lowers calories burned

· Better coordination developed from repeating same exercise - lowers energy expenditure

· Exercising too hard too soon forces cells to burn more carbohydrates and less fat

Diet effects....

· Reduction in food often reduces sodium intake causing net loss of water - water loss slows as sodium loss slows

· Rapid reduction of food intake triggers starvation mode & lowers metabolism quickly

· Skipping meals too often may produce intense food cravings caused by lower blood sugar levels

Possible mental effects....

· Lack of motivation - from lack of results

· Low self esteem - negative thought patterns

Everyone will experience the physiological and exercise effects when losing weight however, not everyone will experience all other problems when losing weight. It depends on a few personal factors as to which effects are experienced. For example, some people may not consume a diet made up of high-salt foods, in this case water loss may not account for much of the weight loss.