1. It’s NOT because you have a SLOW METABOLISM.

Less than 5 percent of the population, over the age of 12, suffers from hypothyroidism: a condition affecting the hormone levels that regulate your metabolism.[i]  Furthermore, when it is said that someone who is “thin” has a fast metabolism, this is probably also not the case. In fact, a person who is 6 feet tall and weighs 150 pounds will almost always have a SLOWER metabolism than someone who is 6 feet tall and weighs 250 pounds. Did that just blow your mind?

Find out why this is true in our previous article: CLICK HERE

Weight Loss and Your Metabolism, Bigger People Burn More Calories

2. It isn’t going to happen as fast as you want it to.

Let’s face it, we all want to see the fruits of our labor immediately. We want to look in the mirror the morning after each workout and see results.  We want to step on the scale after a week of “healthy eating” and see that it reads our ideal weight. The first weeks of our efforts, feel like, well…EFFORT. Weeks feel like months, and even more so when we don’t see results. The fact is, our bodies’ try to maintain homeostasis—resist change—which is not what we want our body to do when we are trying to lose weight. We want it to change, right? Weight loss is as much of a mental and emotional effort as it is a physical one.  Patience is key. Don’t give up, it can take six to eight weeks for your body to break homeostasis.

3. It’s highly doubtful that it is the result of you “not eating enough.”

Anything is possible, sure, but this is so improbable because it defies all logic…and yes, that would be a dream come true. Who wouldn’t want to eat more to lose weight? I have never heard reports and stories of someone being food-deprived, or in survival situations where they lacked food and subsequently gained weight.

Again, yes there are rare cases of people who have altered their metabolism under drastic long-term conditions, and if you feel this is you, then you should absolutely consult your primary care physician as this should be treated as a medical issue.

4. It’s really…I mean REALLY, REALLY HARD!

I’m not saying this to discourage you. In fact, it’s the complete opposite; I want you to know that you’re not alone. That most of us feel the exact same way as you do, and that losing weight is really hard for us all. It seems like it shouldn’t be, I know. It seems pretty cut and dry…eat less and be more active…but the reality is that it is really stinking hard…and for some reason….you agree, right? Accepting that losing weight is going to be hard, you are going to be hungry, and that it may take a while to accomplish, might just be the reality check you need to stick to your plan.

After all, if losing weight were easy, then over 1/3 of Americans would likely not be considered obese.[ii]

It seems that our reality is constantly being warped by fly-by-night companies that constantly market quick fix pills and programs. They are just so darn convincing, and they appeal to our wishes and desires when it comes to weight loss…“Quick and Easy.”

Let’s just focus on this desire instead “Happy and Rewarding,” which is how you feel by accomplishing your weight loss goal. And unlike “Quick and Easy,” this is actually achievable!

5. YOU CAN DO IT! But only if YOU put in the work, time and commitment.  And…only if you are truly HONEST with yourself!

When things don’t work out the way we want them to, when they get tough, sometimes we stop believing that we can do certain things, like lose weight.

Plain and simple, it’s your choice. It’s up to you.

No matter how many times you feel you have failed. No matter how slowly the weight is coming off, or even if you gain some weight…Never give up!

We believe in YOU!

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[i] Information obtained from http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/hypothyroidism/

[ii] Information obtained from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html