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Editor's Note: In order to lose weight, you have to address any possible obstacles in your path. This article gives you 3 possible reasons for a weight loss plateau. They aren't the only 3 reasons but they give a great general overview of possible obstacles to weight loss. As always - make sure you work with your medical professional before attempting any change in your diet or exercise pattern.


Why can't I lose weight?

That's the question many people ask when their weight loss plan isn't working.
Asking yourself 'Why can't I lose weight?' is actually one of the best things you can do for yourself. It says you know that what you're currently doing isn't working for you.
You're at the place where you're ready to look at alternatives - try something different to get a result you want.

So why can't you lose weight? Here are 3 possible reasons you may not be losing weight - and some suggestions on what you can do about it.


#1) Medical Reasons

Now this is not the same as saying you're genetically programmed to be overweight. That is hogwash. In fact scientists estimate that even if you do have a genetic propensity to gain weight, your genes only account for 15 - 25% of your current weight. So forget the genetics excuse.

But there are medical reasons that some people can't lose weight. Low thyroid, adrenal exhaustion, insulin resistance and other medical conditions can make losing weight extremely difficult.

That's why before starting any weight loss plan, you should talk to your doctor first. Have a full workup and make sure that you don't have any health issues standing in the way of your weight loss.

There's nothing more frustrating that trying to lose weight, doing all the right things and not losing an inch - all because of a medical condition. Get the medical condition cleared up first and then address the weight (in fact, the weight may just go down on it's own once you get the medical condition addressed).


#2) Emotional Eating

I recently read an article where a nutritionist estimated that 75% of overeating was due to emotions. 75%! Can you imagine what would happen if you learned to eliminate emotional eating and cut out all those calories? What a weight loss impact! The weight would be falling off.

Unfortunately, in today's world, emotional eating is on the rise. Most people today are feeling the pressure of an increasingly hectic lifestyle. We hardly have time to tie our shoes, never mind deal with our emotions.

Because of this, our emotions get stuffed down and ignored until finally they explode and we're face-down in a bowl of Rocky-Road ice cream with extra chocolate sauce.

Here's the bottom line: you are human and you have emotions. Your emotional needs are important and need to be addressed properly with love. You need emotional nurturing and proper emotional care.

If that means you take a 5 minute break every few hours at work to regain your emotional balance, do it. If that means you need to unwind by doing a mall walk and window shopping after work - don't let anything stop you.

Learn to nurture your emotional health and you'll nip emotional eating in the bud - and start losing weight FAST.


#3) Mismatched Weight Loss Plan

There are many different ways to lose weight and hundreds of weight loss programs to choose from. Some plans emphasize a change in diet, others emphasize a change in exercise, others focus on the inner reasons for overeating.

Every person is different and will lose weight in their own unique way. If what you're doing now isn't currently working, it may be a simple case of personality-plan mismatch.

Maybe instead of a diet-focused weight loss plan, you would feel better with a fitness-focused weight loss plan or a psychological weight loss plan. There are lots of plans to choose from and you deserve to take your time and find one that fits your personality and lifestyle best.

If you think this is the case, take some time to review different diet or weight loss plans. Find one that you can get excited about, one that makes sense to you and that fits your belief system and personality. That's when you'll make real weight loss progress!

So those are 3 possible reasons for your weight loss plateau. You don't have to stay stuck in a weight loss rut. You don't have to keep asking yourself the frustrating question: Why Can't I Lose Weight?' Keep believing in yourself and in your dreams. Don't give up and you will get there!

About The Author:

Vienna Miller is a contributing writer to Diet and Weight Loss Reviews - a website offering the latest diet reviews and weight loss plans that actually work.

For the latest weight loss tips and free diet articles visit http://www.FreeToBeThin.com/Articles.html

So I figure that we've got about 5-8 weeks before the spring thaw starts (depending on where you live). If you aren't good with crash diets, you might want to gradually incorporate naturally thin habits so you'll be ready for spring.

If you build in 1 or 2 naturally thin habits a week, you'll be able to sit back and relax in your loose-fitting spring clothes while watching everyone else do the mad dash for the gym. So I've listed some of the easiest naturally thin habits below to help you get some ideas about how to lose weight before Spring:

#1 Drink More Water - helps speed your metabolism and flush fat

#2 Increase Exercise Time or Frequency - especially focus on strength training as this keeps your metabolism elevated for 12-24 hours after your workout

#3 Stop Eating After 7:00 - After 7:00 pm your body pretty much stores most food as fat - it doesn't need it since you'll just be going to sleep

#4 Eat Breakfast - I read a study recently where they proved that breakfast eaters actually ate less total calories for the day than non-breakfast eaters. Personally I've found this to be true for me but everyeone's different so try it and see if it works for you

#5 Make Small Changes - Have your regular toast with peanut butter - but maybe cut out the margarine. Go ahead and indulge in your 3:00 coffee break - but instead of that 600 calorie whipped mocha-frappa-lattee- cino thing, why not tray a Chai latte? Or a hot chocolate without the whipped cream? Little changes add up to large calorie cuts - especially over 5 weeks.

So those are 5 thin habits to start now to be svelte for spring. They're fairly easy and don't involve harsh crash diets or massive feelings of deprivation.

I'll try to post some more easy tips here in the coming weeks.

Until next time - V

Hey guys,

I finally got my Hoodia a couple of days ago and started taking 400 mg - 3 times a day about a half hour before meals.

How's it working so far? Here are some observations (Never let it be said that I'm unwilling to be a guinea pig for the sake of my blog visitors!):


Day 1: Only took 400 mg at dinner (got the Hoodia in the mail in the afternoon). Still hungry, didn't notice much effect.


Day 2: Took Hoodia 400 mg at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

At breakfast was slightly hungry still and ate a normal breakfast (ok, chocolate was included).

At lunch - NOTHING. I felt no hunger pangs at all. Had a couple of bites of a veggie wrap and a green tea but that was it - I didn't want any more.

Dinner - Again, no appetite, no hunger pangs, no desire to eat. Had a small tuna sandwich and tried to get through an apple but that was it.


Day 3 - Woke up expecting to feel hungry since I had so little last night. Took 400 mg of Hoodia before breakfast and waited for the required half hour. Again - not hungry at all.


Needless to say - I'm shocked at how well the Hoodia is working for me so far. I was a bit skeptical but I've been pleasantly surprised so far. I'll keep you informed as to how it goes - and if I lose weight.

Notes: These are ONLY my experiences. I am not giving any medical advice here and before anyone considers losing weight, taking Hoodia, etc, please consult your doctor.

Also, if you've read any of my postings on Hoodia, you'll know that the real stuff is very hard to find and it will be expensive since the Hoodia plant is in short supply and carefully regulated by the South African government.

The Hoodia brand I am taking is Hoodoba. I have read some good things about the actual product but negative reviews of the company itself. I bought it however with no problems except that it took a long time to come in the mail. You can get Hoodoba at a discount here.

Many people want to tone up and get ready for those warm weather months - but not everyone is the same. Some people find that a strict, basic diet works for them whereas others prefer to exercise the extra pounds off. Others achieve success when they get to the root of their overeating with a more psychological approach.

Everyone is different. To find which weight loss method will work best for you, take some time first to get to know yourself. Then you can find a weight loss plan that fits best with your personality and personal history (for example, if diets haven't worked for you in the past - you may want to look at other weight loss methods).

The quiz below is adapted from www.FreeToBeThin.com and will help you better define which weight loss paths may be your best options:


Answer these questions as honestly as you can, there are NO RIGHT or WRONG ANSWERS! Keep track of how many a), b) or c)'s you get and then see the results below.

1) Which statement best describes your personality:

a) I prefer order and control. I like well-laid out plans before trying anything

b) I like to just 'go for it' and jump into things. It's more fun that way.

c) I like to thoughtfully explore why I'm doing something but I can also be spontaneous if the occasion calls for it.


2) Which statement best describes your past history:

a) Traditional diets have often worked for me in the past

b) Diets don't usually work unless I'm working out also.

c) Diets have NEVER worked for me and exercise is a chore.


3) Which statement best describes your lifestyle:

a) I have a fairly hectic lifestyle and I'm always rushing to fit things in.

b) I am busy but have time on my hands to devote to activities that enrich my life.

c) I am not very busy but would like to devote some time to activities that enrich my life


4) Which statement best describes you:

a) I can go a long time putting off what I want now in order to achieve a larger goal.

b) I always like to be actively moving towards my goals.

c) I prefer to do something right once and never have to do it again


5) Which statement best describes you:

a) I like to have definite boundaries within which to work towards my goals

b) I don't like boundaries. I like to push myself beyond my limits.

c) I don't like boundaries, I like to explore and understand things as I move towards my goals


6) Which statement best describes you:

a) I like doing what I know

b) I get bored easily

c) I don't like doing things the conventional way.

March is here and we can officially say that spring is right around the corner. No deluding ourselves anymore that we have the winter months to hide under coats and sweaters.

In order to avoid the panic that many women (and some men) face when the first warm spring day hits, let's start getting ready for spring now. I'll be posting some positive weight loss and fitness tips here over the month of March to help people start getting spring-ready now.

The best way to lose weight (imo) is to do it slowly, being kind to yourself along the way.

The body doesn't like change. And it especially doesn't like the shock of a sudden strict diet after a winter of piping hot chocolate, donuts and holiday goodies.

So let's focus on changing one or two things a week and by the time that first spring day hits - we'll be eager to take the coats off.