Top 10 reasons why you're not losing weight!----> #10

Ever wonder why all that time in the gym hasn't really paid off?
Have you tried all diets, read countless books and articles on nutrition, exercised, and to no avail?
Have you only lost a couple pounds that really don't justify all that time?
Are you about to call it quits or have already done so?

If so, allow me to enlighten you!

It's a vicious cycle. Most individuals that attempt to lose weight fail! It's definitely not coincidence and although some have legitimate medical reasons, most don't! What's the common denominator? Here's a list of my top 10 reasons why you may not be seeing the results you were hoping for:

#10 Drugs: Alcohol, Cigarettes, Sodium Fluoride  and Pesticides

One of the main reasons most younger individuals or extremely social people fail is in their consumption of their "every once in a while" drink, their daily glass of wine, weekend tailgating drink-athons, or their weekend night escapades. The worse thing is most will have all four drugs on a date!!

Alcohol: Why is alcohol so bad? Well first and foremost you need to understand that it's almost certain that the majority of individuals will have a drink here and there, and that's fine... IF YOU ARE HEALTHY! That means that if you have any health problems, inlcuding obesity, you should stay away and most definitely if you are trying to lose weight. Plain and simple, that ONE glass of wine, beer, or shot of hard liquor will undo ALL of your hard work at the gym. NO it's not about the calories, but about the chemical reactions that occur within your body at the cellular level that ultimately lead to weight gain and/or weight loss prevention. Simply put: Alcohol slows down metabolism, prevents/delays tissue repair, dehydrates body which leads to poor performance mentally and physically (during and after the effect), and tricks your brain to produce the wrong hormones -which is what ultimately mandates whether or not you lose weight. For example, high production of estrogen in males which leads to higher cortisol levels that trigger your body to burn your fat-incinerating lean tissue (muscle) instead of  the fat itself!!

Cigarettes: Common sense. These will prevent your body from maximizing oxygen consumption which is one of the most important "ingredients" to burn FAT! Smoking leads to poor breathing which in itself will prevent you from performing exercise at high intensities-which is necessary to speed up fat loss. Poor breathing and bad lungs will prevent you from getting stronger, leaner, and healthier. PERIOD.

Sodium Flouride and Pesticides: Found in your drinking water, bathing water, vegetables, fruits, meats, basically anything you consume that is not purified (water) or grown organically AND local! What's the big deal? Sodium flouride is a poison!!! It kills rats, organisms, and obviously YOU. So purify your water! This includes bathing water as well; hot baths open up skin pores that absorb all chemicals that you come into contact, leading to greater quantities absorbed trough skin then when you consume them. Pesticides on the other hand are utilized to kill pests (as the name suggests). Well if it's a poison that kills bugs, why are humans allowed to consume them? Supporters of pesticides claim that the quantities utilized are harmless. Ok, understandable. But what happens if you consume large quantities of these foods daily and over an extended period of time? Exactly, it's not just the one apple that will kill you, it's the accumulation of pesticides in your body that ultimately lead to weight loss prevention, cancer, and ultimately death. Something to note: individuals with higher amounts of body fat tend to carry and accumulate a lot more pesticide residue in their bodies than their skinnier counterparts. So do yourself a favor: INVEST IN YOUR HEALTH!...Purify and buy local organically grown foods!!!

Memories...

Recently I was speaking to an old friend of mine about fitness. He openly shared his thoughts on his life, marriage and the status of their ( his wife's and his) health. He was, to say the least, nostalgic.

He went on to share that the couples' desire for fitness, health, and physical image had faded over the years. Complacency had taken over- I told him. He agreed and continued to say that his partner's lack of interest in the matter affected his desire and prioritizing of fitness. Additionally, jealousy had started to creep into the relationship.

This happens to the best and the worst of us. My friend is not the only one with this problem. But it's how you chose to confront this issue that determines the outcome. You can either accept it and let your life partner deviate you from your desire or you can continue with your path and take on the additional challenge of influencing them to do the same. Don't shy away from the challenge. Step up to the plate and do what's right for you and them. Your body and marriage/relationship will thank you.

Remember that your partner is your first line of support and influence. If you feel that you care about your health and "physique" but they don't, change that! But know that it's not just about physiques- it's about life and long term health!

Have an open heart talk with them and let them know how you feel. Explain to them how this behavior, their actions, and lack of interest affects you and your relationship. If they truly care about the special bond you have with them they will respect that and not be detrimental to your goal/success-instead they will hopefully join you and serve as your main support.

As we get older and get complacent in our lives; we tend to forget about the small things that truly matter. Communication, trust, honesty, support and dedication are necessary qualities for a successful relationship and weight loss journey. Work on these as they will serve you well in the long run.

I've seen it time and time again. As partners get more comfortable in a marriage/relationship they tend to forget about their physiques. First it's 5 lbs, then 10, then 20, and sometimes even 100+. That's when they look back and wonder " what happened? I was athletic, attractive, and active!" They feel lost, not knowing where to start. But when they do find a way to begin on their redemption road they give up because of the unanticipated difficulty.

Now I'm not saying that physiques are everything and that you should have a superstar body. No, not at all. What I'm saying is that there should be no complacency in a relationship or health. You should always work at them as they are both directly related and one can affect the other. Look at the glass full and use your partner as support, motivation, and encouragement and stop using them as an excuse!! Instead of spending your time together dining and watching movies, mow the lawn, exercise, and jog together!

Now if you find yourself in this dilemma; nostalgic about your athletic days and wondering where that went, don't just sit and wonder. Do something about it! Get up and move, take your family out for fun days at the beach, play, find support, find a fitness trainer, educate yourself, eat right, and be persistent! All great things take time, effort, and will!

Don't dwell on the past, focus on the present for a better future!



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