In my practice, I specialize in gut issues and weight management. Meaning, I’m either helping someone lose (or gain) weight, or I am helping them to heal their gut. And sometimes, I get to do both 🙂

Over the years of doing this work with clients, I have noticed several reasons why people have a hard time losing weight. Maybe they aren’t eating enough food? Or too much food? Maybe there are issues with their thyroid levels? The list can go on and on. However, I want to lay out three of the top reasons I see that hold clients back from losing weight. 

1. Eating Too Much at Night

If you eat the majority of your daily intake within a 2-3 hour window at night before you go to bed, it may be hard to lose weight. I’m not claiming that all nighttime eating will lead to weight gain or an inability to lose weight—having a snack before bed is not the issue. It’s eating the majority of your daily intake during this time that may cause challenges if you are actively trying to lose weight. 

Our metabolism is closely linked to our circadian rhythm. Which means that the metabolism is most active during the daytime and less active at nighttime. For optimal health, weight management and disease prevention, it is helpful to eat during the day when your metabolism is primed to take in food. 

If you find yourself eating a lot in the evening, try to adjust to eating more during the day. Also, ask yourself why you are eating so much at night. Are you hungry for food, connection or comfort? Is it just out of habit? Understanding your behavior patterns will help you change them if that’s something you wish to accomplish.

2. Being More Concerned with Calories than Nutrition 

You’ve probably heard that weight loss is simple if you follow the “calories in vs. calories out” thinking… right? Well, maybe not. The body is more complex than that (and aren’t we all sick of counting calories?)

Focusing too much on calories and not enough on proper nourishment will often leave you feeling depleted and restricted. Which is not an ideal place to be for your physical or mental health. 

So, instead of limiting your calorie intake, focus on nourishing your body and keeping blood sugar levels stable. This often means eating more food, not less. This also means making sure you are eating enough of the right types of food at every meal (protein, produce, carbs, healthy fats), as well as eating regularly throughout the day. 

Remember, you don’t need to deprive your body in order to get the results you want. 

3. You Don’t Need to Lose Any Weight 

Yes, you read that right. Maybe your body is exactly where it is meant to be. The truth is, we come in all different shapes and sizes. And, trying to lose weight because you think you should lose weight (due to cultural pressures, family, social media, etc.) will almost always end in disappointment. 

It can be helpful to take a hard look at what you really want—and why—when it comes to the size of your body. Do you want to lose weight because you know you can feel better or could be treating your body better? Or do you want to lose weight because you’ve been taught to hate your body at its current size? Same goal, two different intentions. 

I encourage you to ask yourself, is your desire to lose weight coming from a place of love or a place of hate?

From my experience, lasting change almost always comes from a place of self-acceptance and not from a place of punishment. And, if you are eating nutritious foods (at least, the majority of the time), moving your body, enjoying your life and feeling good in your body—maybe your body and your weight is exactly where it needs to be, after all.