It is no secret that trying to lose weight can be extremely challenging, which is probably why several hundred thousand Google searches are performed each year. If you are looking to shed those extra pounds, here are some of the main reasons why it’s harder to lose weight than it is to gain weight.
Lack Of Willpower
This is a big reason why it’s harder to lose weight than it is to gain weight. If you’ve ever attempted to diet before, you will know how difficult it can be to make such a significant change to your eating habits, especially when you are not used to exercising that much. People often give up on their diets after just a few weeks because they lack the resolve to continue with the regimen. Luckily, there is hope that you will overcome this. The first step is to make sure that your dieting effort is backed by professional assistance. That way, you can be sure that you are making the right choices for your body. Studies have also shown that patients who undergo treatment at weight loss clinics are actually able to maintain a healthy weight for the long term, which strongly suggests that willpower is just a temporary issue, not a personality quirk that you have to live with.
Fad Diets
Fad diets are becoming increasingly popular, which may make it even more difficult to lose weight, as people are likely to be more eager to try a new, trendy diet rather than stick to what they know and like. One popular diet is the Medifast program, which entails restricting your diet to a narrow range of foods, mostly vegetables and fruit. While it may sound like a healthy option, research has shown that people who undergo this regimen lose more fat than those who do not. If you want to lose weight, it would be wise to avoid fad diets, as they rarely work out as planned, and may even do more harm than good. Even the celebrity gossip website TMZ has noted, “There’s no question that trying to lose weight with a fad diet is a recipe for disaster.” In the end, you will almost certainly give up, frustrated that a diet you’ve tried for weeks does not seem to be helping you, or worse, causing you harm.
Boredom
If you are looking to lose weight, you are bound to experience boredom at some point, as there is not always something new to explore in the diet world. Once you’ve tried a few different diets and none of them sound particularly appealing, you may begin to lose faith in your ability to lose weight, or at least to stick to a diet. Studies have shown that people who are regularly bored during their weight loss attempts are more likely to give up quickly than those who find new ways to entertain themselves. Finding new ways to engage with your surroundings can be a great way to boost your determination and stick to your diet, so be sure to try new activities and find the ones that motivate you.
Unrealistic Expectations
Odds are, if you’re reading this, you are experiencing some degree of overweight, which makes it harder to lose weight, rather than easier. If you want to lose weight, there are likely several things that you have to give up, but also several that you have to embrace. One of the main differences between obesity and malnutrition is that the latter does not bring with it a sense of entitlement, or at least not all of it. If you have unrealistic expectations about how quickly you will lose weight, you may be disheartened when you do not lose as quickly as you hoped, or lost a significant amount of weight, which can leave you feeling discouraged, or even depressed. Studies have shown that people who expect to lose a certain amount of weight within a given time do not experience this same degree of disappointment, as they feel that they have given it their all, and the results were within reasonable expectations.
Counting Calories
You may have seen the recent trend of celebrities and high-profile individuals shunning diets and sticking to calorie counting, as it is a relatively easy way to lose weight, especially for those who have bodies that shape easily. Calorie counting is essentially the same as weighing yourself daily and taking into consideration the number of calories you consume versus the number you burn through activity. Studies have shown that this strategy can be effective in helping people shed the pounds, though in some cases, not by any means easy. If you are looking to lose weight, it would be wise to avoid calorie counting, as it is difficult to do, and highly prone to failure, especially if you want to stay healthy. This is why it is recommended to instead focus on eating a nutritious diet, as it is easier to meet your body’s needs, and easier to keep the weight off, as long as you are not neglecting the most basic of needs, such as food and drink.
Emotional Support
Several studies have shown that people who are trying to lose weight are more successful if they have some sort of emotional support, whether it be from a partner, family member, or close friend. It is not necessary that you share the same goals with these individuals (though ideally, you should), as long as they show you that they are there for you, and that you are not alone in this endeavor. Studies have shown that people who are trying to lose weight receive a considerable amount of support from those whose opinions they value, and that they trust, which makes it easier to continue with their diets, and stick to their goals. Alternatively, those who are not comfortable enough to ask for help may believe that they are not strong enough to make the effort, which can leave them feeling inferior, or even depressed. If you want to lose weight, emotional support can be a great way to help get you there, so be sure to seek it out when you need it, whether it be from family, friends, or a partner.
Too Much Junk Food
Eating too much junk food is never a good idea, as it can cause you to gain weight, rather than lose it. This is mainly because of the increased amount of calories that you consume, as well as the simple fact that most junk foods are high in sugar. This type of food usually does not provide your body with vitamins and nutrients that are necessary for weight loss, and it can sometimes even be detrimental. If you want to lose weight, it would be wise to avoid junk foods, as they rarely provide any real benefits, and often contain ingredients that are detrimental to your health, such as refined flour, white sugar, and/or processed meats. Instead, focus on eating more vegetables, and fruits, which are necessary for a healthy diet, and will assist you in keeping off those extra pounds.
There are many reasons why it’s harder to lose weight than it is to gain weight, and the list above should not be construed as a comprehensive one. However, it does shed light on the fact that trying to lose weight is not as easy as many would have you believe. If you want to lose weight, it is recommended to avoid diets that are not backed by medical science (this includes cleanses, fasts, etc.), instead try and follow a healthy eating plan, that is consistent, and most importantly, suits your body’s needs. Additionally, if you want to lose weight, be sure to seek the support of those who you deem to be trustworthy, as studies have shown that people who are more confident in their opinions and have more social support are more likely to succeed in their dietary endeavors.