5 Reasons You're Unable to Lose Weight

Are you struggling to lose weight? According to some reports, more than half of Americans want to lose weight. Statistics show, however, that roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight, meaning they aren't achieving their weight loss goals. If this sounds familiar, you should examine your lifestyle to determine what's preventing you from losing weight. Here are five potential reasons why you can't lose weight.

#1) Drinking Soda

You can't expect to lose weight if you drink soda on a daily basis. Soda may not contain any fat, but it's loaded in refined sugar. Depending on the specific type, a single 12-ounce serving may contain 38 grams of sugar -- about the recommended daily allowance for most adults. All of that sugar will overwhelm your body, increasing fat gain while disrupting your body's hormones in the process.

#2) Too Much Time Sitting

Sitting allows our feet and bodies to rest. Unfortunately, though, most Americans spend far too much time sitting. According to one report, Americans sit for an average of 13 hours and sleep for another eight hours. This type of highly sedentary lifestyle is a contributing factor of obesity. Therefore, you should make the necessary changes in your life to spend less time sitting and more time standing/moving. This alone will set you on the path to a healthier weight.

#3) Chronic Stress

You might be surprised to learn that stress can interfere with your ability to lose weight. Stress, especially when it lasts for a long period of time, disturbs your body's hormones. Among other things, it causes your body to produce more cortisol. And when this occurs, it can prevent you from losing weight.

#4) Yo-Yo Dieting

Granted, yo-yo dieting may help you lose a few pounds at first. But like a yo-yo, those pounds typically return shortly thereafter. Yo-yo dieting involves temporarily adjusting to a healthier diet. The problem with yo-yo dieting is that it's performed for only a brief period of time, such as a few weeks or a month. When you revert back to your old dieting habits, the weight will return.

#5) Not Enough Exercise

Exercise is essential to achieving your desired weight. The Mayo Clinic recommends exercising for at least 30 minutes a day. Whether you prefer running, jogging, cycling or performing aerobics, it's important that you stay physically active. Otherwise, you burn the necessary amount of calories and fat needed to achieve your desired, target weight.