Sooner or later, you might wonder: What am I doing wrong? Should I eat less? Exercise more? Or is the issue something else entirely?
In fact, many things affect your weight. Sleep, stress, some medications, and your general health all play a role. Sometimes, trouble losing weight is linked to your hormones.
Is it really just about eating less and moving more? Let’s look at some common myths about weight loss.
If your weight isn’t changing, does that mean you should eat even less?
Don’t be quick to eat less. First, check if your diet is really set up to help you lose weight.
Try writing down everything you eat and drink for a few days. It’s easy to miss snacks, sugary drinks, sauces, or extra helpings. Even healthy foods can have more calories than you think.
Don’t focus only on the number on the scale. Your weight can go up and down because of water in your body. It’s better to watch trends over a few weeks and also check your body measurements.
If you’re careful with your food, exercise often, and your weight still hasn’t dropped for a while, don’t start a strict diet by yourself. It may be time to look for other reasons.
More workouts — faster results?
Not always. If exercising a few times a week isn’t working, it doesn’t mean you have to work out every day.
Notice how much you move when you’re not working out. If you sit most of the day, you might not be active enough. Walking and moving more during the day really helps.
So before adding more workouts, check how active you are during the whole day.
Sleep and weight: what’s the connection?
You might watch your diet and exercise often, but still overlook how important sleep is. Sleep can make it easier or harder to stick to your routine.
If you don’t sleep enough for a few nights, you might feel hungrier and crave high-calorie foods. When you’re tired, it’s easier to grab a quick snack and harder to control how much you eat. You may still go to your workout, but you’ll probably move less during the rest of the day.
If you’re tracking calories and exercising but only getting 5 to 6 hours of sleep most nights, it’s time to look at your sleep habits too. Don’t try to make up for lost sleep by working out more. Rest and recovery matter as well.
Try tracking three things for at least a week: how much you sleep, how your appetite changes after a short night, and how active you are the next day. You might spot a pattern you didn’t notice before.
What if your diet, activity, and sleep are all under control?
You’re eating well, exercising, and sleeping enough, but your weight still won’t change. In this case, it’s a good idea to look at your overall health.
Some hormone problems can affect your weight and metabolism. Watch for other changes in how you feel, like always feeling tired, being sensitive to cold, dry skin, changes in your hair, or irregular periods.
Don’t try to diagnose a “hormonal imbalance” by yourself or order lots of tests. It’s best to start by seeing an endocrinologist. The doctor will look at your symptoms and decide which tests you really need.
If your thyroid needs to be checked, the doctor may order lab tests and an ultrasound. The ultrasound shows what your thyroid looks like, and the lab tests show how it’s working.
Endocrinology Checkup at SILK Medical
If your weight isn’t going down despite your efforts, or you’ve noticed other changes in how you feel, consider talking to a specialist.
SILK Medical has an endocrinology checkup that includes a visit with an endocrinologist and a thyroid ultrasound.
- Right now, the program costs 200 ₾ instead of 250 ₾.
At your appointment, you can talk about your weight loss struggles and any other symptoms with the endocrinologist. The ultrasound will help check your thyroid. If you need more tests, the doctor will suggest them just for you.
If your usual weight-loss methods haven’t worked for a long time, don’t jump into a stricter diet or tougher workouts. Sometimes it’s better to step back and see if your health needs a closer look.
