So, you learned to count your calories and started working out day in, day out! You replaced those yummy craving-appeasing cheese sandwich, sodas, and crispy fries with leafy greens and natural fruit juices. Sweat-by-sweat, you lift those weight at the gym and run endlessly. And yet, when you step on the scale, it hardly changes its pointeras you’re not losing weight — teasing you and making you all frustrated and HAAANGRY!

So, what gives?

Here are some of the most common reasons as to why you are not losing weight even when following a strict diet and workout routine:

1. You Are Not Eating Sufficient Protein

Protein is a crucial nutrient in weight loss.

Eating protein at 25 to 30 percent can increase metabolism by up to 80 to 100 calories per day while only eating several hundred calories per day. Also, protein can significantly reduce your desire for snacking and cravings.

Especially, Opt for a satisfying protein-rich soup with a latest Soup Maker, as protein can affect the appetite-regulating hormones ghrelin and others and make you feel fuller for longer!

A high protein intake aids in preventing metabolic slowdown which is a common side effect of extreme weight loss routine. In addition, protein also helps in the prevention of regaining weight.

2. You Are Not Drinking Plenty Of Water

Drinking water has a huge plus on losing weight!

In a 12-week weight loss study, individuals who drank 17 ounces or half a liter of water, 30 minutes before meals, significantly lost 44 percent more weight than those who did not.

Furthermore, drinking enough water has also been shown to boost the number of calories burned by about 24 to 30 percent over a period of one and a half hour.

3. You’re Starving Yourself Too Long

It may not be a great idea to go on a strict diet for, longer periods of time.

If you have been trying to lose weight for several months and you have hit a plateau and now not losing weight, then maybe it is time you take a break.

Try to increase your calorie intake, preferably a few hundred calories every day, lift some weights and sleep more with the goal of getting stronger as well as gaining muscles.

Try to maintain your body fat levels for 1 to 2 months before you start to lose weight again.

4. You Are Not Consistent With Your Workout

Skipping exercise can have a great impact on your goals. You need to work out regularly if you want to see some results and are. not losing weight. And once your body has adapted to your workout routine, try to spice it up a bit in order to keep your body challenged and avoid hitting a plateau. If you skip too many workouts you will have to start all over again.

We hear more and more about eating healthier and dieting but, as we see in this recent Food and Beverage Report, sales for ‘Organic’ and ‘Diet’ trends are down. So, be sure to stick to your diet as well as your workout.

5. You Are Not Sleeping Well

One of the most important factors for your mental and physical health is good sleep. However, you should also know that sleep can also affect your weight.

Studies revealed that lack of good quality sleep is a big risk factor for obesity. Children and adults that sleep poorly have 89 percent and 55 percent bigger risk of becoming overweight or obese, respectively.

6. You Are Too Stressed

Just like sleep, being stress can also affect your health and lead to you not losing weight. It can either make you lose too much weight or gain extra pounds. Being under stress boost the production of cortisol (stress hormone) which causes an increase in cravings and appetite as well as extra fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area.

7. You Have A Medical Condition

There are some medical conditions as well as medications which can contribute to gaining weight. Some conditions and medications that can cause weight gain are:

  • Anticonvulsants and antipsychotics
  • Beta-blockers for high blood pressure
  • Antidepressants such as Zoloft and Prozac
  • Corticosteroids
  • Diabetes medications
  • Thyroid conditions

If you are on these medications, then it is best that you talk to your doctor for any possible substitutes, if it is an option for you.

If not, then knowing such side effects can help you become proactive about your situation. You might need to be extra careful with your diet or work harder in order to lose weight.