Why You're Not Losing Weight
Why You Are Not Losing Weight
By Karen Asp
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that extra calories will make you fat. Yet calories aren't the only weight woe you should worry about. As it turns out, your day may be loaded with traps that could be keeping you heavy, and most of them aren't so obvious -- like your credit cards or even your best friend. Take a look at these surprising factors behind weight gain.
1. You buy your lunch with a credit card
People who pay for their food with a credit card spend 30 percent more on average than people who pay with cash, according to a Visa study of 100,000 restaurant transactions. Thirty percent more money, translates into more food (and calories and fat) you don't need. The next time you dine out, pull out the cash.
2. You're a meat-eater
Where's the beef? It could very well be on your hips. Researchers asked over 55,000 women to classify themselves as either omnivores, semivegetarians, lactovegetarians or vegans. A whopping 40 percent of omnivores were either overweight or obese while only 29 percent of semivegetarians and vegans and 25 percent of lactovegeterians had these weight issues. To slim down, eat more plant foods and less animal products.
3. You eat at church functions
Blame it on the between-service cookies, potluck suppers and ice cream socials but Baptists, Fundamentalist Protestants, pietistic Protestants and Catholics have the highest rates of obesity among religious folks, according to a Purdue University researcher. Avoid splurging at food-oriented church activities and look to your church for help with your diet: Many have faith-based weight-loss programs.
4. You dine in a group
Other diners may make you overindulge. With one other person, you eat 35 percent more. Yet when seven or more are at your table, you could eat 96 percent more. Not interested in eating alone? Just sit next to someone who eats slowly, as they'll help set your eating pace.
5. You drink diet soda
Diet and other artificially sweetened foods may not be so waistline-friendly after all. When rats ate yogurt sweetened with no-calorie saccharin, they later noshed nine percent more, gained 25 percent more weight and added more body fat, according to a study from Behavioral Neuroscience. It's too early to tell how this applies to people, but if you're concerned about weight, ditching fake sugars may help. Just don't switch to regular soda or you could really pack on the pounds -- drink water instead.
6. You're married
When you took your vows, you may not have realized you were also signing up to be partners in weight gain. Yet a 32-year study found that if one spouse becomes obese, the other spouse was 37 percent more likely to be obese. The obvious solution? Encourage each other to adopt healthy habits like exercising regularly and eating healthy.
7. You drive everywhere
Where you live could impact the number on your scale. One study from the American Journal of Obesity found that people living in walkable neighborhoods with access to healthy foods were leaner than people living in less desirable physical environments where they rely mostly on cars for transport.
8. You wear baggy clothing
You're quick to notice you've put on some pounds when you struggle to zip your jeans, but if you frequently wear oversized clothing, you may not notice the pounds creeping on. You don't have to don a tight outfit to keep your weight check, but you might consider weighing yourself regularly to avoid a sneaky gain.
9. You have heavy friends
It's true: Obesity is contagious. Researchers examined the social networks of over 12,000 people for over 30 years and found that having an obese friend increased a person's risk of being obese by 57 percent. The odds were even greater if they were close friends or the same sex. Don't think you have to ditch your friends, though. Instead, meet for a walk instead of a latte or take a fitness class together rather than hitting the movies.
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Recent Comments
SASSYDRIVER 44 03:37:36 PM Nov 01 2008
you may not be eating enough calories or you may be eating to much
AppleStix414 12:24:01 PM Oct 08 2008
This article is ridiculous. I'm a vegetarian and I work out 5 days a week. I'm very conscious about what foods I choose to put into my body because I want to be healthy. Despite all of this I'm plus sized. There are just some people who are made to be bigger. Articles like this give readers the idea that everyone who is overweight got that way through gluttony and laziness.
AppleStix414 12:24:01 PM Oct 08 2008
This article is ridiculous. I'm a vegetarian and I work out 5 days a week. I'm very conscious about what foods I choose to put into my body because I want to be healthy. Despite all of this I'm plus sized. There are just some people who are made to be bigger. Articles like this give readers the idea that everyone who is overweight got that way through gluttony and laziness.
rockbratgoddess 11:45:27 AM Oct 08 2008
This is crazy! The article completely overlooks health problems. I'm 32, and about 40 pounds overweight. I also have a thyroid problem, a gall bladder problem and am wheelchair bound. There aren't a lot of exercises a person can do from a wheelchair. I don't eat a lot of food. I don't even eat bad foods, because the majority of food makes me ill. My diet mainly consists of plain baked chicken, rice, plain noodles, and various fruits and vegetables. Still, no weight comes off.
Konamira 12:19:02 AM Sep 12 2008
The meat thing is a total LIE! While I was in Thailand for on year I gained 20kg! The doctor told me to eat only meat. It worked!
ZlNGER 11:52:55 PM Aug 18 2008
why do you people put these stupid things about why people stay fat in here? is it to purposely make people become so self conscious that they end up throwing away their money into the healthfood industry? who is the health nut industry sleeping with to get this garbage thrown on here? you want to know why people are fat? because they eat too much. plain and simple. baggy clothes lets you get fat? thats the dumbest crap ever. same goes for eating too much meat. protein infested meats with proper cardio exercise helped me go from 245 lbs to 150lbs. and its not just me that this works for. eating more while eating around a lot of people at your table? what the hell? you can't decide for the readers that they get tunky because of that. who made up that lie? thats like telling me what MY favorite food is. you tools dont know this crap. stop deciding for others what their eating habits are when you dont know. dont make them start to beleive they have a habit like that when most likely they
MisterKPHETT 11:18:10 PM Aug 18 2008
One issue that may not have been addresses that is a BIG problem when it comes to losing weight is hypothyroidism. This is a biggie that should be looked at provided you have the rest of your life in order and you still aint losing weight.
ljsurf32 10:41:47 PM Aug 18 2008
This is so misleading...so if you eat meat, you're going to have more pounds across your waist? Come on! That study said NOTHING about how MUCH meat is being eaten. I could have just a bite a week and be considered a meat eater by this study. Besides, being vegetarian does not guarantee weight loss because many vegetarians are under the misconception that they can eat more and many do anyway because a lack of carbs or fats from meat makes them hungrier. Anything in moderation, people...and I doubt your credit card is making you forget about that.
ljsurf32 10:41:47 PM Aug 18 2008
This is so misleading...so if you eat meat, you're going to have more pounds across your waist? Come on! That study said NOTHING about how MUCH meat is being eaten. I could have just a bite a week and be considered a meat eater by this study. Besides, being vegetarian does not guarantee weight loss because many vegetarians are under the misconception that they can eat more and many do anyway because a lack of carbs or fats from meat makes them hungrier. Anything in moderation, people...and I doubt your credit card is making you forget about that.
