Why is it so difficult to lose weight?

You're not alone if you're struggling to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. In the United States, two-thirds of adults are classified as overweight or obese.

Although the majority of people carry more than the average amount of weight for their height, it's not because of their lack of interest in losing weight. Almost half of Americans are trying to lose weight.

While many people are dedicated to achieving their weight loss goals, common misconceptions can set them back before they even begin. Unfortunately, it often takes weeks or even months before people realize that the program they're following isn't working.

You are more likely to achieve the results you want when trying to lose weight under the guidance of a healthcare professional. The wellness specialists at TIB Pharmacy in Newark, CA can help you find an individualized weight loss program that's right for you.

A medically supervised weight loss program can help steer your wellness journey in the right direction. If you're struggling to lose weight on your own, here are a few reasons why you might be frustrated with your results.

You may have a medical condition that limits weight loss.

If you have a medical condition that prevents weight loss and/or causes weight gain, your body may be working against you by interfering with your efforts to shed excess pounds. A medically supervised weight loss program includes a complete physical exam, family and medical history, and an assessment of your general well-being.

If you have an underlying medical condition, you may need to seek treatment for your health issues before you can successfully lose weight.

Some common medical conditions that can interfere with weight loss or affect your metabolism include:

• Chronic stress

• Cushing's syndrome

• Diabetes

• Depression

• Hormonal changes in women.

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

• Low testosterone levels in men.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• Syndrome X (insulin resistance)

If you are dealing with any of these or any other medical conditions, your medications may also be contributing to your weight loss frustration. Identifying these underlying barriers to weight loss can help you improve the results of your efforts.

You lack the necessary support

An important benefit of a medically supervised weight loss plan is the ongoing support you receive from our medical team. In addition to designing a personalized diet and exercise plan for your body, you also receive the education and guidance you need to understand how your plan works and why each component is so important.

Working with a weight loss specialist also makes you accountable for sticking to your plan. Regular weigh-ins help measure your success and allow for modifications if your plan isn't working.

You rely too much on exercise.

Although exercise is part of your weight loss equation, you can't rely on exercise to achieve most of your goals. Exercise can improve your health and help you burn calories, but exercise usually only helps you achieve about 3% weight loss.

Weight loss is based on creating a calorie deficit, a situation where the number of calories you consume is less than the number of calories you burn. Reducing the calories from your diet by changing your eating habits is the primary way to achieve a calorie deficit.

Although exercise can improve your health, it can also increase your appetite and encourage you to eat more. Exercise can promote weight loss and help maintain your ideal weight, but it's hard to rely on as your primary source of weight management.

Your plan is not personalized

The best diet for you is one that is personalized for your body. Factors such as genetics, metabolism, lifestyle, gender, age, environment and other conditions can affect weight loss success.

Part of the weight loss challenge is finding the right diet for your body. Working with a weight loss specialist can save you weeks, months, or even years of frustration trying to figure out the right approach on your own.

You haven't considered all the options

While diet and exercise are the foundation for establishing and maintaining long-term weight loss, medication can help jump-start your progress. Getting results can often help keep you engaged and motivated.

You may benefit from short-term use of one of the many FDA-approved weight-loss drugs. Using these drugs can help increase your metabolism and calm your brain's urge to eat more than it should.

A weight loss specialist can help you determine if this type of support might be helpful and prescribe weight-loss medications if needed.

Everyone's weight loss journey is unique. Learn more about the factors that may be preventing you from losing weight and how we can help you find what works. Call our office today to schedule a medical consultation.