Why does it feel more difficult for me to lose weight than everyone else?

Unsuccessful weight loss is real and it is frustrating. When we fail to look at the big picture, we often find ourselves overtraining, undereating, and suffering through the process.

Thankfully we know that various academic studies have explored factors that contribute to differences in weight loss outcomes among individuals.

Here are the key findings from the research:

Genetic Factors

1. Genetic Variability: Research has shown that genetic differences can significantly influence how individuals respond to diet and exercise. Specific genes are associated with obesity, metabolism, fat storage, and appetite regulation. For example, variations in the FTO gene have been linked to higher body mass index (BMI) and increased risk of obesity .

Metabolic Differences

1. Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): People have different resting metabolic rates, which is the number of calories they burn at rest. Those with a higher RMR may find it easier to lose weight compared to those with a lower RMR. Variations in RMR are partly genetic but also influenced by factors like muscle mass and age .

Hormonal Influences

1. Hormones: Hormones like insulin, leptin, and ghrelin play crucial roles in hunger, satiety, and fat storage. Insulin resistance, common in individuals with type 2 diabetes, can make weight loss more challenging. Similarly, leptin resistance, often seen in obesity, can disrupt the signaling that regulates hunger and energy balance .

Psychological and Behavioral Factors

1. Behavioral and Psychological Factors: Motivation, stress, and eating behaviors also contribute to weight loss variability. Emotional eating, stress-related eating, and adherence to dietary and exercise regimens can differ greatly among individuals .

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

1. Environment and Lifestyle: Access to healthy foods, opportunities for physical activity, and social support systems vary widely, influencing weight loss success. Those in environments with limited access to nutritious foods or safe spaces for exercise face greater challenges in losing weight .

Gut Microbiota

1. Gut Microbiota: Emerging research indicates that the composition of gut bacteria can affect weight regulation. Individuals with a more diverse gut microbiome tend to have better weight loss outcomes. Probiotics and dietary changes can influence gut health and potentially aid in weight management .

A Personalized Approach

1. Personalized Nutrition and Exercise Plans: Studies highlight the effectiveness of personalized diet and exercise plans tailored to an individual's genetic, metabolic, and psychological profile. Personalized interventions tend to be more successful than generic ones .

Make a Plan for Your Stubborn Weight Loss Journey

The difficulty many of us experience in losing weight compared to others can be attributed to a complex interplay of abnormal genetic, metabolic, hormonal, psychological, behavioral. All of this can feel very overwhelming and like a lot to navigate.

Seeking support from a fitness who takes a holistic view is vital. Sometimes the answer is not only in diet and exercise. In our health sessesions we will take a look at the each of these factors one by one and truly nail down what it is that's holding you back. You no longer have to do it alone.

I may make suggestions on certain genetic, hormone, or gut health testing options. Or I will work with you and your preferred healthcare specialists to uncover the best route for you.

I also happen to work with a wonderful network of hormone specialists, myself due to my own issues with hormones throughout my early twenties.

What we will not do is overtrain and undereat in response to seeing minimal results.

If you need support in what feels like an impossible weight loss journey, you can book a health coaching session with me here.

Just remember: don't give up on yourself. We're going to crack the code.

With love,

M