Doing Everything Right but Still Not Losing Weight? Here’s What No One Tells You!

Real Underlying Root Causes of Weight Loss

Losing weight is often portrayed as a simple equation: eat less, move more, and the pounds will melt away. But for many women, the reality is far more complex. Even with healthy eating, regular exercise, and weight-loss medications, the scale refuses to budge—or worse, the weight comes back. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Several underlying factors can sabotage weight loss efforts, many of which are overlooked in traditional weight-loss advice. Let’s dive into why weight may not be coming off despite doing everything “right” and how a holistic approach is the key to lasting results.

1. Poor Digestion and Gut Health

Your gut health plays a crucial role in weight regulation. If you have poor digestion, your body may struggle to absorb nutrients, leading to cravings and metabolic imbalances. Gut dysbiosis (an imbalance of good and bad bacteria) can cause inflammation, bloating, and weight gain, making it harder to shed excess fat.

2. A Poor Relationship with Food

Many women have an emotional connection to food that stems from childhood, stress, or diet culture. Restriction, guilt, and emotional eating can lead to a cycle of binge eating, overeating, and food addiction. Instead of focusing solely on calorie counting, it’s essential to address emotional triggers and develop a healthier relationship with food.

3. Hypothyroidism and Slow Metabolism

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) slows metabolism, making weight loss difficult despite a calorie deficit. Symptoms include fatigue, dry skin, and hair loss. If you suspect a thyroid issue, getting a full thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and reverse T3) can help diagnose the problem and guide treatment.

4. PCOS and Hormonal Imbalances

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women and is a leading cause of weight gain. Women with PCOS often struggle with insulin resistance, making it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it. Managing insulin levels through diet, supplements, and medication can improve weight loss efforts.

5. Estrogen Dominance

Estrogen dominance—when estrogen levels are too high relative to progesterone—can cause fat storage, especially around the hips and thighs. This imbalance can be triggered by birth control, hormone-disrupting chemicals, and chronic stress. Supporting liver detoxification and balancing hormones naturally can help.

6. Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance prevents the body from efficiently using glucose for energy, leading to stubborn belly fat and increased cravings. Lowering carbohydrate intake, focusing on fiber-rich foods, and strength training can improve insulin sensitivity.

7. Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Women with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or fibromyalgia often experience weight gain due to low energy, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation. Since exercise can be challenging for those with chronic pain, focusing on gentle movement, anti-inflammatory foods, and stress management is crucial.

8. Overeating and Binge Eating

Even when eating healthy foods, portion sizes matter. Emotional stress, restrictive diets, and hormonal fluctuations can lead to overeating or binge episodes, counteracting calorie deficits. Mindful eating and working with a nutritionist can help break this cycle.

9. Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or lupus can slow metabolism, increase inflammation, and make weight loss difficult. Managing autoimmunity through an anti-inflammatory diet, stress reduction, and proper supplementation can help regulate weight.

10. Medications That Cause Weight Gain

Certain medications, including antidepressants, birth control, and steroids, can lead to weight gain or make it difficult to lose weight. If you suspect your medication is affecting your weight, talk to your doctor about alternatives or ways to manage side effects.

11. High Cortisol and Chronic Stress

Cortisol, the stress hormone, is linked to belly fat storage. Chronic stress from work, relationships, or lack of sleep can lead to elevated cortisol levels, making it nearly impossible to lose weight. Prioritizing stress management through meditation, therapy, and self-care can help balance hormones and promote weight loss.

Weight Is Often the Last Thing to Come Off

One of the most frustrating aspects of weight loss is that it’s often the last thing to change when healing the body. The body holds onto weight as a survival mechanism, especially when it perceives stress, imbalance, or scarcity.

Weight loss is not just about willpower—it’s about safety. If your body is in a constant state of stress, inflammation, or hormone imbalance, it will hold onto weight as a protective mechanism. This is why many women don’t see results until they heal underlying issues first.

If you focus solely on the number on the scale and how much weight you lose every day or every week, you’ll soon give up because you think that what you’re doing is not working. But most of patients are able to continue to sustain their healthy eating and habits because they focus on how amazing they feel and how proud they are of their accomplishment with their new eating habits and gentle exercise routine, having more energy, better mood and more resilience to stress. Depending on how longs you’ve been struggling with weight loss, you’ll start to lose weight when your body feels safe and calm, as in having proper nutrition, enough rest and feeling calm and content.

A Holistic Approach: Treating the Root Causes, Not Just the Symptoms

Instead of focusing on weight as the primary goal, a holistic approach looks at why the body is holding onto weight in the first place.

🔹 Balance digestion – Heal the gut so your body can absorb nutrients properly.
🔹 Regulate hormones – Address thyroid function, insulin resistance, and estrogen balance.
🔹 Improve metabolism – Strength train, get quality sleep, and eat nutrient-dense foods.
🔹 Reduce stress – Lower cortisol levels through mindfulness, movement, and self-care.
🔹 Heal your relationship with food – Shift away from restrictive dieting and emotional eating patterns.

When your body feels safe, it will naturally release excess weight. By addressing the root causes rather than forcing weight loss, you allow your body to find its natural, healthy weight without stress, frustration, or endless dieting.

Final Thoughts: Focus on Health First, Weight Loss Will Follow

If you’ve been doing everything right but still struggling, don’t lose hope. The key to sustainable weight loss isn’t another diet or workout plan or changing medication—it’s changing your mindset to focus on healing your body, mind, and metabolism.

When your body is in balance, it will naturally let go of the weight it no longer needs. The process takes time, but trust that when you focus on healing, the weight will come off as a natural side effect of a healthy body.