Exercise fail! 4 Reasons youre not losing weight

Have you been working out without seeing results? Are you failing to reach your weight-loss goals? Science has been contemplating the situation too, and produced some reasonable explanations.

1. Self-sabotage

While you do deserve a pat on the back for a great workout, having a juicy cheeseburger as a reward will unequivocally counteract all the good you've done for yourself.

Scientists refer to such rewards as compensation calories, and millions of people are guilty of consuming them. Society in general tends to be driven by rewards: however, all your exercise efforts are in vain when you congratulate yourself with food.

Don't say, "I've earned this!" or, "I deserve a treat," to excuse your behavior - it just gives you permission to sabotage yourself. To make matters worse, many people overdo the reward system by consuming many more calories than they have just used in the exercise session. Yikes!

Use other forms of reward or none at all. Greater health and consistent weight loss are, in fact, fine rewards in themselves.

2. Stress

Exercise causes certain hormones to be released, but if you're subject to constant sources of stress, still more hormones are released and a conflict arises. Cortisol, a stress hormone, should be rendered harmless by exercise; however, endorphins can't overcome them all during periods of high stress, and your metabolism becomes less effective - even though you're always working out.

Your solution is to target stress first, then exercise:

• Meditate more often and right before exercise.
• Exercise at home for less stress (the cost and stress of commuting to the gym and the membership fees can be overwhelming).
• Talk to someone immediately prior to working out, such as your best friend or a close relative, about anything that's bothering you.

3. Consistency

Study after study finds mixed results between individuals on the same diet and exercise programmes. Some people fare well, others fail and a few start by doing well, then fizzle. Are your results consistently inconsistent?

It is understandably discouraging to receive such poor rewards for your efforts. Try keeping a journal and recording all the relevant data. You'll probably find inconsistencies with calories, duration and intensity of exercise, and other elements influencing your success, including quality and amount of sleep and stress, both of which affect the metabolism. Of course, a fine-tuned metabolism produces much better results.

When your chosen workout demands less of your body, you'll stop dropping the kilograms, meaning you've become stagnant with your weight loss, because your routine never changes

4. Stagnation

Do you ever wonder why you lose a significant amount of weight at the start of a new exercise routine, then as the weeks go by, your progress slows or stops all together?

Researchers have found that the body will adapt to a routine, become better at that particular exercise, and therefore expend less energy on it.

When your chosen workout demands less of your body, you'll stop dropping the kilograms, meaning you've become stagnant with your weight loss, because your routine never changes.

Run FAST

While regular exercise done right will help you tone up and drop the weight, sprinters tend to lose over 12 percent of their fat mass, as compared to less than six percent for marathoners.

Eat more berries

Berries contain resveratrol, a polyphenol that works with your body for weight loss by helping you to burn more fat. Resveratrol is also rich in anti-oxidants, which help protect your cells. Enjoy more berries in 2016 and lose more weight!

Go au naturel

Organic isn't just a fad, it's how your body was designed to eat. Oils, animal protein and fats, processed carbs and most refined foods will prevent you from losing weight and rob you of precious energy. When you enjoy plant-based meals with simple, wholesome ingredients, you are bound to lose more weight.

When you know what's broken, you can fix it

Now that you know why you're not losing the weight you want, you can make the changes necessary for achieving success this year - finally!

About the author

Jonathan Leger is a small business owner and personal development enthusiast. He also runs a popular question and answer website at AnswerThis.co

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