9 Reasons Why Women Struggle to Lose Weight + Solutions

Ask any woman what she would ask for if she had 3 wishes, and one of them will certainly be to lose weight. All women want to have a slimmer body.

But women do not lose weight in the same way as men. If you take a look at couples trying to lose weight, one phenomenon that often occurs is they embark on the same journey, eat the same food, practice the same exercises, but women just do not shed as many pounds as their partner.

Losing weight is challenging and hard for anyone. However, some factors make it even harder and more challenging for women. Yes, it can be depressing to know that as a woman, you are less likely to lose weight doing the same things as men do.

But once you identify those problems, there is always a solution for them.

Reason 1: Eating the Wrong Foods

Women are often inclined towards foods that are labeled as “low-fat” and “no-fat”. Yes, cutting on fats is one of the first steps to losing weight. However, what you do not know is that those low-fat foods are packed with preservatives and other ingredients. The goal is to make the low-fat foods taste as good as their full-fat counterparts.

What can you do? For starters, cut back and eliminate fake foods. What does it mean in practice? One example is to eat one apple instead of drinking a glass of low-calories apple juice. In terms of snacks and other convenience products, read the labels and opt for brands that are organic and free of dyes and pesticides.

Reason 2: Not Exercising Properly

Pigheadedness is a common trait among women. It is that trait that makes them spend hours and hours at the gym. Not to sound sexist, but women usually focus on cardio at a moderate intensity.

But if you want to lose weight, it is time to kick up a notch. Try high-intensity interval training instead. You will work out for less time but get better results. Another aspect to add to your routine is strength training. That doesn’t mean you need to put on weight as a man. And no, it will not translate in you looking like a bodybuilder. Add bodyweight exercises like push-ups and lunges as super-effective exercises for losing weight.

Reason 3: A Thyroid Problem

When your body is not functioning properly due to a thyroid problem, often the result is extra weight. The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are some of the most important chemicals in our weight and metabolism.

Check for some of these symptoms: insomnia, racing heart, nervousness, unexplained weight loss, high amounts of perspiration, muscle weakness, thin and brittle hair. Those are symptoms of too much T4, also result in unexplained weight gain, fatigue, dry hair, dry skin, constipation, and muscle weakness.

If you have a thyroid problem, look for natural therapies. For example, look at your nutritional deficiencies, like iodine or toxicity. Eliminate the deficiencies, and your thyroid should work better.

Reason 4: Prescription Medications

Prescription meds can be a reason why you are not losing weight. Some meds cause side effects like fluid retention, weight gain, and change in appetite and increase in hormones. If you are using some of these meds and you are not losing weight despite all your best efforts, it is time for a change.

For example, exercising, medication, and yoga are great remedies for fighting depression. Try them instead of using antidepressants.

Reason 5: Hormonal Imbalance

Cortisol, known commonly as the stress hormone, can hamper your weight loss attempts as well. Cortisol can increase your appetite and make you crave carbs. To solve the problem, try to eliminate or at least reduce stress in your life. Try some yoga, a great way to get stress relief. Decreasing stress is the only way to lower cortisol levels. Yes, it is easier said than done, but takes time to put yourself and your health first.

Reason 6: Emotions Get in the Way

In some cases, people “eat their emotions”. For example, some people tend to reach for a pint of ice cream when they had a stressful day. Emotional eating is a real thing. Be sure to check whether you are really hungry, or you are just eating to avoid the assignment hanging over your head. When you eat, sit down and give your food your full attention.

Reason 7: You Are Not Getting Enough Sleep

Many people underestimate the value of good night sleep. And women, in particular, are known to say “I can sleep for just two hours, and that will be enough for me”. Well, it might work while you are a teenager or 20 something, but not after that. Getting between 6 and 8 hours of sleep is crucial so our body can regenerate, rejuvenate, and prepare for the next day.

For starters, try to work out a rhythm of going to bed earlier. There is no point in staying up late if the only reason is checking Facebook.

Reason 8: Food Allergy

More than 9 million Americans have a certain type of food allergy. If you are allergic or sensitive to a certain ingredient, and you eat it nevertheless, you are likely to struggle with losing weight. Allergens, or foods that you are allergic to, can cause inflammation. 

The best way to determine whether you are allergic to some foods is to try an elimination diet. During an elimination diet, you need to exclude top allergen foods like gluten, soy, eggs, dairy, and nuts.

Reason 9: Too Many Healthy Foods

Healthy foods are great, but too much of anything is not good. Foods like avocado, nuts, full-fat dairy are great and very healthy. However, they are also high in calories, and if you are eating too many of these foods, you might struggle to lose weight.

Consider going to a keto diet if you are following a diet that is high in protein and fat.