Why can't I lose the weight? One myth that keeps the pounds on.

All rights reserved © 2009, 2019 Louis Antonio Abate, D.C.

One of the most pervasive myths surrounding weight loss is a very simple and logical one:  Eat less and exercise more (the adage of burn more calories than you consume).  Unfortunately, for most people the healthy road to weight loss may not be that simple.  Many factors influence weight loss including stress levels and even your breathing habits.

If you look around you couldn’t argue that as far as outward physical appearances go we are all different.  What most people don’t know is that just as we are different externally, even from members of our own family, we each have different genetics and biochemistry that allow us to process food and utilize nutrients differently.

Furthermore,  what you eat is just as important as how much you eat.  Depending on what you are eating, and the quantities of what you are eating you may be depriving yourself of essential nutrients or fats which will then slow down your metabolic rate.  When your metabolic rate slows you can’t burn calories as efficiently and therefore gain weight.

For example, you should avoid peanuts and peanut products as peanuts have no Omega-3 essential fatty acids.  A large consumption of peanuts will then distort your Omega 6:3 ratio.  The proper Omega ratio is necessary for optimal health, a healthy immune system, and a healthily functioning nervous system.  Also, peanuts are one of the most pesticide poisoned crops and are often contaminated with a carcinogenic mold called aflatoxin.

The amount of protein you need as well and it’s ratio to carbohydrates and fats can vary according to your age, gender, weight,  exercise levels and most importantly your nutritional type.  Most people are still unaware of how eating according to your nutritional type can dramatically improve your health and achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Exercising more can actually hinder your weight loss plan and cause your body to keep the unwanted weight.  By over exercising you can cause your adrenal glands to over secrete cortisol.  The cortisol will stimulate the body to store, rather than burn, fat and to not build lean muscle.

Most people will say “I don’t over exercise,” but I would factor in your lifestyle.  Especially here in NYC where we tend to walk everywhere at a very fast pace.  This can contribute to your body feeling over exercised.  The average New Yorker walks one mile (20 Blocks) in 15 minutes, and about 3.5 miles per day.

One of the best forms of exercise for overall health and weight loss is interval training.  This consists of short bursts of activity done at high intensity with rest periods in between.