Surprising Reasons Some Women Can't Lose Weight

Most of us already know that eating less and moving more are the keys to dropping extra pounds. But if you're already doing everything right and can't seem to lose weight or are even gaining it you may have a hidden health condition that's sabotaging your efforts. And the symptoms may be so subtle that even your doctor can miss them. Here, some possible weight-loss blockers and how to get the help you need.

Thyroid Problems

Some women have trouble losing weight because of a hormonal problem. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, pumps out hormones that control body metabolism. If the gland's output isn't high enough, a condition known as hypothyroidism, the pounds can pile on - and stay on. If you think thyroid trouble might underlie your weight-loss difficulties, a doctor can test your hormone levels via a simple blood test. If you have a deficiency, effective treatment is available. 

Eating the Wrong Foods

A walk down through the grocery store reveals aisle after aisle laden with foods that advertisers would like us to believe will help us to lose weight. Beware! These ‘fake’ foods actually starve your body for nutrients and you end up craving more to eat, because despite the meal you just consumed your body still is lacking in the vital nutrients it needs. You end up eating more and more of these calories but not giving your body enough nutrients.

Being Stressed 

When stress goes up, so does the secretion of cortisol, the body's "stress hormone." Its secretion can cause an increase in appetite. You may reach for those "comfort foods," which are likely high in calories and low in nutrition or satiety.

Not sleeping enough

Being healthy means the right combination of nutrition, rest, sleep and exercise. Each of these is equally important. If you find that you are eating right and workout out regularly, but too much stress keeps you from getting adequate sleep, you will not be able to get down to your goal weight. When the body suffers from lack of sleep, it releases a stress hormone, cortisol. When cortisol levels are high it can lead to insulin and blood sugar levels becoming imbalanced. This can cause havoc with fat storage in the body.

Your Medicine Is to Blame

Certain medications, like some antidepressants, can cause you to gain weight. In some instances, it can be due to a change in your metabolism; in others, it can be because once you start feeling better, your appetite returns. Other drugs that can cause weight gain include antipsychotic drugs (which treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) and medications that treat seizures, high blood pressure, diabetes and migraines. 

What to do? If you think a drug might be contributing to your weight problem, ask your doctor. If he/she can't suggest an alternative drug, you might simply have to be extra-vigilant about what you eat and how much exercise you get.

Drinking Alcohol

For most women, there's nothing wrong with an occasional drink. But if you're having trouble losing weight, consider the possibility that habitual alcohol consumption - even at a moderate level - can cause a daily calorie "overdose." 

A single five-ounce glass of wine, for instance, might contain 120 calories. A cocktail? More like 300 to 400 calories. 

To lose weight, you might have to lose the habit.