Many people get upset when their weight does not change even after eating healthy and exercising. A US doctor, Dr Thomas Paloschi, says weight loss is not only about food and exercise.
He explains that the body is affected by many other things that can slow down weight loss. These hidden reasons are often ignored but are very important.
In an Instagram post, he said that understanding these reasons is important for long-term and healthy weight control.
Why weight loss is not just diet and exercise
Dr Thomas Paloschi says weight control depends on many things, not just diet and exercise. He writes, "Weight regulation is influenced by far more than diet and exercise alone. If progress has stalled, it is worth looking at the bigger picture: sleep quality, insulin resistance, food quality, ultra-processed food intake, daily movement outside the gym, medications, hormone shifts such as PCOS or menopause and overall metabolic health Reasons You Are Stuck In A Weight Loss Plateau" He also says that ignoring these factors can make people feel stuck even when they are trying their best.
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Daily movement and sleep issues
One reason people stop losing weight is that they move less in daily life without realizing it. Even if they exercise, they may walk or move less during the rest of the day.
Not getting enough sleep is another big reason. Poor sleep can make people feel hungrier and crave more food. He also says, "A systematic review found that sleep restriction increases daily calorie intake by about 300 kcal/day on average,"
Food quality and insulin resistance
Ultra-processed foods can confuse the body’s hunger signals and slow metabolism. Dr Paloschi says these foods can make people eat more and gain weight compared to natural foods.
He also talks about insulin resistance, which changes how the body stores energy and can lead to fat gain, liver problems, and poor sugar control.
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Hormones, medications and metabolism
Conditions like PCOS and menopause can change how the body stores fat, especially around the stomach area. Some medicines like antidepressants, diabetes drugs, and steroids can also make weight loss harder.
He also says mitochondria health is important. If they do not work well, the body may not use energy properly and metabolism can slow down.
Dr Paloschi says weight loss is not just about eating less or exercising more. It depends on many things like sleep, hormones, medicines, and body health.
He says, "Sometimes the answer is not pushing harder. It is correcting the biology that is holding you back," meaning we need to fix the body problems, not just try harder.
