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5 Reasons You’re Not Shedding Excess Pounds
Not Shedding Excess Pounds: “I work out like crazy, but I can’t get rid of this stubborn fat!”
Many of us have said this, and probably still do. It’s common for many people to hit a plateau after exercising vigorously or following a weight-loss diet plan to the letter. And it can be frustrating, to say the least. This is especially true if you’re trying to bring your weight down for a body contouring procedure, like a tummy tuck or a liposuction.
If you feel like you’ve hit a wall, don’t be discouraged. Although it’s difficult to remove stubborn fat, it’s not impossible. Here are some possible reasons that may explain why that bulge wouldn’t budge no matter how hard you try.
Reason #1: You’re eating the wrong type of food.
If you’re trying to lose weight, the first thing you should to do is evaluate your kitchen. Many people are under the assumption that to lose weight, they should focus on burning calories. What they forget is what they’re putting into their bodies for fuel. To lose weight effectively, you should be focusing on natural foods that will give you energy while feeling full for a long time. By going down this route, you won’t have to cave into unhealthy cravings just to give you a boost.
Reason #2: You’re not allowing your body to recover.
It’s a common misconception that if you workout six or seven days a week, you’re going to lose weight quickly. The truth is rest and recovery are just as important as exercising because it is in these periods that the actual process of burning fat occurs. So if you had an intense workout today, give your body a bit of a rest tomorrow.
Reason #3: You’re under a lot of stress.
Exercising is also considered a stressor. If you combine this with a stressful lifestyle, then you may have a harder time shedding those pounds. When the body is too stressed, it releases a stress hormone called cortisol. According to studies, there is a correlation between elevated cortisol levels and weight gain because the body tends to store more fat particularly the belly area with elevated cortisol levels. This being said, it’s also good to give your body some rest after working out and to give yourself some free time to do something fun at least once a week.
Take the above factors into consideration and look to modify your behavior – eat clean, de-stress, get plenty of rest, and perhaps you may be able to bring down your weight a bit. Every bit helps when you’re preparing for a liposuction or a tummy tuck procedure. And when you feel like you’re within 10% of your ideal body weight, consult with one of the plastic surgeons at My Houston Surgeons to learn if you’re ready for a body-contouring procedure.
