It’s Not Your Fault: Why Weight Loss Is More Difficult for Some People

Despite the scientific evidence, weight-based stereotypes continue to be passed around as truth. Many still believe that people unable to reach their weight goals are lazy, have poor willpower, or lack self-discipline.

All of this is untrue and only feeds into the stigma surrounding weight.

Your weight loss struggle isn't your fault and when you start to realize that you can let go of the shame and get the medical help you need..

At Transform Bariatrics in Greenbelt and Rockville, Maryland, Dr. Hitesh Amin and our team of weight loss experts want to change the shame and stigma surrounding weight and provide tools that help people live their best, healthiest life.

Here, we want to explain why weight loss is more difficult for some people. 

Your genetics

Nature vs. nurture is an ongoing debate when it comes to weight. While not everyone with a family history of overweight or obesity struggles with their weight, you’re more likely to have a hard time losing unhealthy weight if it runs in the family.

Researchers have found genetics plays a significant role in determining body size. Weight loss is more difficult for those genetically predisposed to carry extra weight. 

On top of genetics, you may also find it harder to lose weight because of the habits you learned while growing up. There’s a strong connection between food and emotion and you may associate eating certain types of food with comfort and love.

Health and hormones

Health conditions, especially those involving hormones can also make weight loss more difficult. Your thyroid hormones control your metabolism. If you don’t produce enough thyroid hormones, a condition called hypothyroidism, your metabolism may slow down making it harder to lose weight.

Age-related hormonal changes, like decreasing levels of testosterone and estrogen, also affect weight and body composition, making weight loss more of a struggle.

Other health conditions may also make weight loss hard, like arthritis pain that makes exercise feel like torture. Certain medications prescribed to manage chronic diseases may also lead to weight gain. 

Lifestyle habits

Many weight loss programs focus on the end goal: weight loss. Unfortunately, that’s a little short-sighted. Losing weight is only the beginning. Weight loss, or more appropriately weight management, is a long game.

In order to succeed at weight management you need to create lifestyle habits that help you maintain your new healthy weight, such as:

• Eating nutritious foods
• Making movement a part of your daily routine
• Prioritizing sleep
• Finding healthy ways to cope with stress

No matter what tool you use to help you reach your goals — bariatric surgery, medical weight loss, or antiobesity medications — you must focus on creating healthier habits so you have lasting results.

It’s also important to understand the personal barriers that make weight loss hard for you. This gives you some perspective and makes managing a healthy weight reachable. 

Stop blaming yourself for your weight struggles. It’s not your fault. We can help you identify the barriers that make weight loss more difficult for you and develop a strategy that helps you overcome them. Call our office today or request an appointment online.