Struggling to Lose Weight? These 5 Things Could Be Holding You Back

By: Suzanne Kvilhaug

Advertising Disclosure- Our content is free because we earn a commission when you click or make a purchase using our site. 

Right before I started writing this, I stepped on the scale for the first time in a while. What I saw was a number near model weight territory. A number many women dream of, including me many moons ago. Becoming a really healthy person with a thin body type was always near the top of my wellness wishlist. Obsessing over things to make them happen was never going to work for me so I never knew if it was attainable. I just held the dream vision loosely while consciously working towards it in my own way, on my own terms. Some people feel better curvy, some people feel better skinny and some people feel best when they're right in the middle. I’d been curvy, I’d been in the middle but I never was really thin. Wanting to be thin may come off as shallow to some, but I was prioritizing a healthy lifestyle. And if, as a result of a healthy lifestyle, I become thin, great. And if not, that’s ok, at least I’m healthy. What I do believe is true for many people is that the motivation for wanting to lose weight is much deeper than a number on the scale.

As a Pisces type of philosopher, I’ve always felt like physical weight was symbolic of so much more than calories in and calories out. In the world of energy healing, it’s believed that unprocessed emotions are one of the leading causes of weight gain. When you do a lot of inner work, there’s going to be a shift in your physical appearance. This is what likely motivated me to keep going until I felt genuinely happy and at ease in my mind, body, and spirit. 

After all that has been said and done for me to get here, I don’t feel like any expert can give people an exact formula on how to lose weight. Or at least give you one that’s going to feel completely natural and enjoyable. Some people may not need to enjoy the entire process, but I was a stickler about that part. That meant never strictly dieting, never sticking to a set workout plan, and only doing things that I enjoyed and felt right. So how did I do it then? Well, in all honesty, I’d have to reexamine it all and write a book to really answer that question. But what comes to mind as the three main ways I did it is 1. I became a healthy vegan who worked out often. 3. I made it a point to try many different healthy foods until I found enough options that I love to eat on a daily basis. 3. I continuously worked on myself spiritually and emotionally, and my weight shifted based on the work. “Manifesting your perfect weight is a natural result of realigning with your true self,” a quote from Marianne Williamson that says it best. 

If you’re struggling to lose weight and want some input from someone who’s been there, and done that — here are 5 things that could be holding you back.

Cutting out unhealthy foods has not been a priority

If you’re following a plan that focuses solely on calories, you can still eat pretty much whatever you want. That means things like pizza, fried food, burgers, candy, and packaged snacks can still be consumed on your weight loss journey. Too many processed and unhealthy foods can be the reason you can’t shake the weight no matter how many calories it adds up to. If you prefer to follow a calorie method of losing weight, choose more whole and nutritious ingredients. 

You’re avoiding fruit

Since I’ve become an intuitive eater, fruit is a must for me. There’s so much nutrition in fruit that I can’t imagine it not being a staple in my diet. If you fear fruit because you think it will make you gain weight, this could be a reason you’re not seeing progress. During my last drop in weight, I was eating a significant amount of fruit — mainly pineapples, and although I can’t fully understand how it worked, I know it played a major part. 

A rigid mindset is backfiring

Instead of making beneficial tweaks, you could be stuck on a plan that's a dead-end street. Stay open and stay flexible. Our bodies continually change and a method that helped you lose weight before may not work anymore. File it under the mysteries of the body and pay attention to when things aren’t working so you can make changes. 

Movement is lacking

The other day, my friend sent me a voice note when she went on a walk break from work, and she started it off by saying, “you know, I think sitting is the new smoking.” If you’re not moving around enough, your weight may not budge. And if you think that walking won’t do much, think again. Walking adds up over time and can be one of the surprising things that help you shed weight. I was more of a gym and workout class type until I switched to entirely increasing overall movement. And by that, I mean, I walk a lot, and I run a decent amount. If you find that you’re stuck and can’t lose weight anymore, see if your movement is lacking throughout the day and if it is, get moving!

Spirituality is not part of your weight loss plan 

Asking yourself spiritual-based questions can help you understand things at a deeper level in order to get results. Do I know what led to gaining weight? What body type feels like my natural one? Is there something emotional that this physical weight may represent? What is the real reason that I want to lose weight? Am I an emotional eater? Do I turn to food for comfort instead of seeing it as a way to fuel my body? Do I respect or disrespect my body with my food and lifestyle choices? Do I lack confidence because of the way my body looks? If so, how can I learn to be confident in myself right now while I’m trying to lose weight? Am I pushing my feelings down with food instead of dealing with them? Getting honest with yourself and searching for symbolic and deeper meanings behind food, weight loss, emotions, your body, and your life can be the catalyst needed to push past a stagnant stage.

So here I am all these years later, and my pipedream became a dream realized. I feel light, I feel well, and I’m happy about it. What has surprised me the most lately has been my feelings about it all. If I gain weight again, so be it. If my body shape changes, I’m ok with that. I don’t know how long I’ll be this size, and I’m at peace with how my body may change in the years ahead. Reaching the top of a mountain is a great feeling, euphoric even, but that’s when you can finally see that it wasn’t as much about the destination as it was the journey.

For some more insight and inspiration on weight loss, check out these articles:  

No Motivation to Lose Weight? Try These Tricks to Get Inspired

Simple Changes to Lose Weight: Small Things That Can Make a Big Difference

7 Surprising Things You Don’t Have to Give Up To Lose Weight 

---

More Articles You Might Like