How to lose weight? This type of question is often asked by some people who have problems losing weight or starting their journey towards losing weight. For some, losing weight is not a problem. Others, however, are not so fortunate. Even if they think they do everything to lose weight, some people still end up not losing any weight. 

If you wonder why some people experience hardships losing weight, many factors affect weight loss that you might or might not know. Any of these factors can make it difficult for you to lose weight or keep the weight you’ve lost off. Here are some factors that are significantly affecting weight loss.

Sleep

We all know that people’s sleeping habits significantly affect the overall well-being of an individual. It is also one factor that affects losing weight. Have you ever noticed that when you lack sleep, you tend to seek food? When your energy is affected by your lack of sleep, and because you need the energy, you’ll turn to foods. 

Furthermore, sleep deprivation will alter hormones that control appetite, causing you to consume more calories than you require. Sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality have been linked to metabolic disorders, weight gain, and an increased risk of obesity and other chronic health conditions in numerous studies.

Stress

People differ in many things, including their bodies’ responses to stress. Some people who suffer from it tend to lose weight because they do not eat, while other people experience the opposite of losing weight because they seek food to overcome their stress.

For a variety of reasons, stress and weight gain are linked together. For starters, stress alters hormones; it raises cortisol, for example, and high cortisol levels contribute to weight gain. It can also contribute to emotional eating, which can completely derail your healthy eating habits.

Genes

We often hear people say, Oh, it’s because of genetics. Why? Because our genes have a vital role in our existence. Many experts believe that you must control your genes and lifestyle factors to progress with your weight-loss strategies.

The degree to which genes influence weight loss is a complex topic to discuss. Still, in general, a person’s weight is influenced by both their genes and their environment, with the latter having a more significant influence depending on the individual. 

However, regardless of the genetic risk of obesity, you can reduce the risk by consulting with your doctor to develop a healthy diet and exercise routine tailored to your current physical condition and any existing health issues.

Hydration

Just like your sleeping habits, how much you drink water affects your well-being, including your weight. Drinking water has been shown in studies to support weight loss and promote other positive health outcomes. 

Furthermore, too little can affect your weight as well as a variety of other vital bodily functions. When we don’t get enough water to keep our bodies functioning properly, our cells send a warning to the brain that we need more fluid.

Also, increased hydration has been shown to help in weight loss by metabolism and lipolysis, the mechanism of fat breakdown.

Food and Drink Choices

Calories consumed in small quantities don’t seem to contribute to weight gain. However, excessive intake is dangerous. Sugar substitutes used in items like diet soda, on the other hand, have few calories, but people who drink diet soda appear to weigh more than those who don’t.

People’s eating and drinking habits and cultural norms, which influence the types and quantities of foods eaten, are also important determinants of their weight. If you choose high-fat, high-calorie foods, for example, you are more likely to overeat and gain weight than people who serve smaller servings of lean meats, steamed vegetables, and brown rice. 

Some people who consume or keep high-fat snacks and desserts on hand are often more likely to have weight issues than others that advocate sensible portion sizes and reserve treats for special occasions. It’s also important to consider how quickly people learn to eat and how aware they are.

Medical Conditions (Including Prescription Drug Intake)

Medications that trigger weight gain can be challenging to navigate, mainly since everyone’s body responds differently to them. We all know that everyone’s body is unique, certain disorders and illnesses, ranging from the common cold to severe diseases, will affect your weight, much like drugs.

Maintaining a balanced diet and eating enough during illness is essential for the body’s ability to recover. Since it takes a lot of internal energy to heal, you will find that you need to eat even more than expected. Certain drugs, on the other hand, can reduce your appetite, resulting in unintentional weight loss. 

Physical Activity

Your physical activity also matters when you wish to lose weight. For most people, the first thing that will come into their minds when you say physical activity is exercise. But, any type of physical activity that will make you sweat is beneficial to your journey towards losing weight.

As we mentioned, exercise is a great way to lose weight and consume calories. However, to lose weight effectively, a person must combine exercise with calorie restriction. According to research, exercise alone is unlikely to result in significant weight loss for most people unless they make substantial dietary changes.

Metabolic Rate

People’s metabolic rates are mainly dictated by how healthy they are, apart from genetics. According to popular belief, our metabolism slows by 10% every ten years after our early to mid-twenties. Although aging causes a decrease in metabolism, this decrease may be due to a sedentary lifestyle rather than aging. 

Furthermore, muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat, so our muscle mass primarily determines our metabolic rate at any given time. Inactivity accelerates the loss of muscle tissue over time, lowering metabolism and increasing the likelihood of weight gain.

Takeaway

Losing weight is not easy. There’s a lot of factors that influence it. You might not learn how to address some aspects right away, and you might even get depressed by them. But don’t let these considerations deter you, continue to learn while persevering to lose weight.