There could be a number of reasons for slow weight loss. These 4 weight loss inhibitors that could be plateauing your progress might surprise you.

You’re several weeks into completely changing your diet, starting a rigorous new workout regimen, and making every change under the sun in hopes of fast-tracking weight loss. There’s only one problem: you’ve made dozens of drastic changes and only have one or two pounds to show for it weeks or months into the new “you.” So what gives? Does this mean you’re wasting your time or doing something wrong? Not necessarily. 

There are many reasons you could be losing weight slower than you’d like, and despite feeling discouraged about the minimal loss, slow progress is not always the enemy. In fact, rapid weight loss from yo-yo dieting can be harmful long term, and the faster you lose it, the more likely you are to gain it back just as quickly as it disappeared. 

Still, our bodies are all unique, and just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, years or even decades of unhealthy habits cannot be magically reversed overnight. Here are some possible reasons for your slow start and how to overcome that weight loss plateau. 

4 Weight Loss Inhibitors That Might Be Derailing Your Weight Loss

Weight Loss Killer #1: Stress.

Are you running on “survival mode” or living in a chronic state of stress?  Do you double-up on morning cups of joe just to muster up enough energy to tackle the workday? Juggling too much between work and growing a family? If you said yes to any of these questions, you may be living under chronic stress which could be a huge hindrance to weight loss. Stress causes the body to produce more of the hormone cortisol—yep, you guessed it: the stress hormone—which tells your body you are in danger and causes you to hang on to body fat, especially in the belly. Conversely, if you are prone to seeking comfort from food or overeating during times of stress, the added calories could be counterproductive to losing weight. 

Weight Loss Killer #2:Not enough quality rest

Do you struggle with falling and staying asleep? Do you seldom get 8 hours of sleep each night? Do you lay awake worried about the next day’s troubles? A poor sleep schedule could be an underlying cause to slow weight loss. A lack of sleep is linked to unhealthier food choices, increased hunger and calorie intake, decreased physical activity, and ultimately, weight gain. 

One study found that when people lacked quality sleep, they were more prone to late-night snacking and more likely to reach for high-carb snacks. In another study at the University of Chicago, sleep-deprived participants chose snacks with double the fat as those who slept at least 8 hours.

A second study found that sleeping too little prompts people to eat bigger portions. And in a review of 18 other related studies, researchers found that a lack of sleep led to increased cravings for energy-dense, high-carbohydrate food. The bottom line? Not sleeping makes you hungrier, crankier, and more prone to make less healthy food choices which could be thwarting any weight loss progress you’d hoped to make.

Weight Loss Killer #3: Hormone Imbalance

If you are prone to a high-stress lifestyle, you are also probably one of millions of women affected by a hormone imbalance. In addition to the stress hormone cortisol which slows metabolism and causes your body to hang on to belly fat, a number of other hormones when out of balance can also slow metabolism and derail your weight loss goals.

Estrogen dominance, for example, can cause unexplained weight gain and is linked to hypothyroidism which slows the metabolism. Estrogen dominance may also cause painful periods, bloating, and fibrous breasts. When your hormones are in sync, estrogen and progesterone work together to facilitate different processes in the body. When your body produces too much estrogen in comparison to progesterone, it can trigger the body to produce more insulin, causing not only weight gain, but a slew of other health risks and conditions such as insulin resistance, fatty liver, and high blood sugar. 

Weight Loss Killer #4: Alcohol consumption

If you’ve opted for a vodka soda or a skinny margarita over their higher-calorie counterparts like a daiquiri or champagne, think again: even lower-calorie booze can stop your body from burning fat, cause unhealthy food cravings, and is even linked to more fat in the midsection. Forgetting for a moment the many serious health risks associated with alcohol consumption, just the fact that it is def con 5 for weight loss and can affect the quality of sleep (another weight loss inhibitor) is reason enough to consider taking a break. 

The Skinny on Sustained Weight Loss

If you’re eating a nutrient-dense, whole-food diet, working out consistently (and yes, brisk walking counts!), and prioritizing restful sleep and stress management but not seeing the results you’d hoped for, don’t be discouraged: slow and steady wins the race. The goal for sustained weight loss is to lose 1-2 pounds a week. And while the FDA has approved new weight loss drugs like Tirzepatide and Semaglutide to accelerate your progress, it is also worthwhile to consider non-scale victories you may be experiencing such as clothes fitting better, more elevated and sustained energy levels, falling and staying asleep longer, more radiant-looking skin, and improved mental health!  

Choose Joi for Weight Loss That Lasts

If you’re looking for more results, Choose Joi’s weight loss programs and peptide therapies can be the missing piece to the puzzle. Our weight loss programs are science-backed and deliver noticeable results that last. Contact us today for a consultation where our team of providers will work with you to formulate an individualized treatment plan to help you achieve your wellness goals so you can feel and look your best.