Losing weight presents a real challenge for many people. While weight loss in the short term is often more achievable, losing weight and keeping it off is a far greater challenge. With so many fad diets that promise quick and easy solutions to losing weight, yo-yo dieting is inevitable.

• A short term fix: In an attempt to lose weight quickly we often drastically cut our calorie intake or restrict certain food groups. This normally only works for so long before we grow tired of a restrictive diet and subsequently abandon all efforts. Instead of setting a goal to lose weight in time for bikini season, it’s more beneficial long term to adopt a different lifestyle that involves a permanent commitment to healthy eating and exercise. Most importantly it must be a plan that’s easy to stick to!

• No support system: Too many people try to lose weight without a support system. Research shows that people who have the support of family and friends to keep them on track, are more successful at losing weight and keeping it off.

• Hormone imbalance: Hormones play an active role in weight loss. A hormone imbalance can cause dramatic weight gain and make it virtually impossible to lose weight. It was discovered about 10 years ago that most people who are chronically overweight are also leptin resistant. Leptin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that controls hunger, cravings and how the body uses energy. When the brain is responding normally to leptin, it signals us to stop eating when we’ve had enough food to eat. However, in about 85% of the population that are overweight, the brain actually becomes resistant to its signals.

• A Dysfunctional Metabolism: Contrary to what you might think, many overweight people don’t take in any more calories than people of average weight. They also exercise and still continue to gain weight. These types of people suffer from a slow or dysfunctional metabolism. Some people suffer from hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone, making it very hard to increase metabolism without medication. A simple thyroid test and proper treatment is essential to diagnose this problem. Supplementing your diet and exercise regime with Ignite Maxx™ will boost metabolism to help you burn up to 600 calories a day!

• Stress: Another precursor to slow or difficult weight loss is stress. The body’s response to chronic stress affects metabolism, blood sugar, hormonal function and appetite. Not surprisingly this can cause the body to hold on to its fat stores, increase hunger and cravings, as well as impair the body’s ability to burn calories.

Tags: can’t lose weight, fat burning, hormone imbalance, metabolism boosters, obesity, smart exercise, yo yo dieting