Top 8 Reasons Why You're Not Losing Weight - Some Not Your Fault

The science of weight loss is supposed to be easy. Calories In (what you eat) vs Calories Burned (activity) is what works for most of us, as long as we stay committed. Lack of commitment is one of the major reasons why so many people struggle to lose weight regardless of eating plan and exercise routine. They don't stick with the time and effort needed because they want instant results and fast weight loss. IF THIS IS YOU ... jump back on the bandwagon and keep trying to lose weight. Slow and steady is not failure; health experts confirm that just 1 to 2 pounds a week is the goal.

On the other hand, if you've been failing to lose weight consistently or failing to lose weight at all, it feels like there's no reason to go on. You may have even experienced weight gain as your body adjusts or because of yo yo dieting. If this is you, here are the top 8 reasons why you're not losing weight (split into 2 categories) and suggestions for the problems.

Lack Of Healthy Lifestyle Changes

You might be tired of hearing these first 3 tips, but they REALLY are major reasons why you are not losing weight and won't keep the weight off long term.

#1 - Packaged Foods / Fast Foods / Chemical Foods

If you buy foods that say "low fat", "healthy", "made with real fruit", "all natural", "multigrain", "sugar free", "no sugar added", and so on, it is very likely that you are being tricked by the manufacturers because they replace what is supposedly removed with other unhealthy ingredients to balance the flavor and make us more addicted to the "bad foods". Sometimes you have to watch the "organic" labels to make sure the non-GMO and USDA Organic labels are there, too. The goal is to eat real whole foods that include fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meats and seafood, sprouted whole grains and nuts, as well as low sugar dairy products like yogurt and cheese.

#2 - Sugary Drinks

Many people count the calories in food, but forget to include calories from drinks. One small glass of juice or can of cola can contain as many calories as a packet of crisps, chips or small chocolate bar. Sugary drinks have been linked to obesity and other health problems, making them a self sabotaging choice for most people, particularly when trying to lose weight. Drinking more water, green tea and occasional black coffee can help. You can add stevia to tea and coffee for sweetness instead of sugar. A lot of people ask if they can add flavor drops to their water or drink crystal light because they hate to drink water. Again, drinking calories, as well as chemical foods, have their disadvantages to weight loss and health. It is better to drink lemon water or other infused water recipes. The rule of thumb with healthy lifestyle changes and weight loss is to avoid foods that come packaged and with added chemicals.

#3 - Self Control = Self Love

As mentioned above, it takes time and effort to lose weight. The commitment must be there in order to accomplish your weight loss goals. If you are not losing weight because of inconsistency and lack of self control, then maybe you should start with looking in the mirror and equating it with SELF LOVE. Examples of sticking to what you need to do to lose weight and need to make healthy lifestyle changes include Meal Planning, Portion Control / Calorie Counting, Exercise Schedule, Sleep Schedule, Stress Control and Personal Time for reflection, hygiene, doctor, dentist, not smoking, personal care ... Taking the time to care about yourself in all areas of life is part of the self control you need. This is self love and as long as you stick with it you can accomplish long term weight loss goals and live a genuinely healthy lifestyle.

Reasons That Are Not Your Fault ...

There are several reasons why you're struggling with weight loss and they may not all be your fault, though some are correctable.

#4 - Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions can make it difficult to lose weight and, in some cases, even cause weight gain. Hormone imbalances, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) are among the most common health problems leading to weight gain.

#5 - Medication

Medication is another common reason for difficulties when losing weight. Contraceptive pills, insulin, corticosteroids and several other medications can cause weight gain and fluid retention. Switching to a different treatment or making a few lifestyle modifications can help in most cases.

#6 - Weight Loss Plateau

Dieters often hit a plateau after the initial weight loss. This plateau is usually triggered when the body becomes used to a lower calorie intake and responds by conserving fat stores. To push through the plateau, try varying your calorie intake every day. If you are restricting the amount of food you eat, it's important to have a break and eat normal portions at least once a week. Come add me as a friend @ http://www.facebook.com/flwahm and then send me a message to join our group for support and tips on how to get through a weight loss plateau.

#7 - Insomnia and Poor Sleep

Studies have shown that lack of sleep, poor quality sleep and tension can all make it more difficult to lose weight. Learning to relax and getting a good night's sleep can make a big difference to weight loss efforts. Meditation, mindfulness, visualization and relaxation exercises can all aid restful sleep.

#8 - Muscle Building

When starting a new exercise routine for weight loss, many people concentrate on cardio workouts like walking, running, elliptical and aerobics - which is AWESOME - but, developing new muscle tissue is just as important, if not more, even if you may notice an initial increase in weight. The weight gain is only temporary and the extra muscle will help to burn fat more effectively. The goal is to build muscle and burn fat; both, not one or the other. You can find videos for weight training at your level or you can join a gym and use the circuit machines to build muscle, as well as enjoy classes and utilize the cardio exercise machines.

Not Losing Weight & Need Help?

Weight loss can stall for a variety of reasons and most people experience a temporary plateau after a few weeks of steady weight loss. If you are unable to lose weight, despite eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise, ask your doctor for advice.

Check out the nutritional information for these weight loss supplements for when you have your appointment. If your doctor agrees, you can take Skinny Fiber or one of the other options, then they can help for vitamins, appetite control, inflammation, protein, etc.

Hope this post has helped you gain perspective on whether you have roadblocks to clear so that you can start losing weight and feeling your best again. Please let me know what you think in the comments section below!


Your Friend,

Lea

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5 Long Term Health Risks Of Not Getting Enough Sleep

We understand by now that getting enough sleep is essential to our overall health. How could we not? There has been a steady stream of media warnings on improving sleep to decrease risk for obesity, diseases and death; especially for our children. Many factors are hurting their potential of becoming better educated, functionable, happy, healthy adults including chronic lack of sleep. Unfortunately, the sleep recommendations for children and adults are very much affected by the demands of modern culture and technology. The average family now has two working parents that struggle to fit everything into days that start way too early and nights left with so much to do. Yet, professionals advise that by leading structured healthy lifestyles, we can do it all. This includes getting enough sleep to provides the benefits of less stress, greater focus and more energy instead of suffering from chronic lack of sleep that has very serious long term health risks:

5 Long Term Health Risks of Not Getting Enough Sleep (Children & Adults)

Obesity

Starting the day tired and groggy means you are less likely to make the best decisions about your health. When you feel exhausted, it is easier to order a pizza or put a frozen dinner in the microwave than it is to take the time and effort to create a healthy and balanced meal. Likewise, feeling tired means you are less likely to hit the gym or go on your morning run. It should be no surprise then that lack of sleep has been linked to higher rates of obesity.

Aging

Until the fountain of youth is discovered, adequate sleep will remain one of our best ways of staving off some of the worst effects of aging. Sleep is rejuvenating; it reduces stress and keeps us healthy, which is likely why a lack of sleep has been linked to advanced aging. Not getting enough sleep, for example, can lead to faster skin aging and even permanent damage to brain cells.

Heart Disease and Stroke

One of the most obvious short-term effects of sleep loss is stress. Simply put, when we don't get enough sleep, we are more likely to go through our day feeling "on edge." Stress is not just an unpleasant feeling, it also leads to some serious long-term health risks, namely heart disease and stroke. Getting an extra hour of sleep each night won't just calm your nerves, it will also reduce your risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke later in life.

Disability

Because sleep loss has such serious health risks, it should come as no surprise that people who don't get enough sleep are more likely to suffer a health problem that leads to a long-term disability. Most immediately, lack of sleep means you are more likely to make mistakes and, if you're performing a dangerous task that requires your complete attention (such as operating a motor vehicle), then a single mistake could be dire. Alternatively, diseases associated with sleep loss, including strokes and cancer, could lead to a lifelong disability that makes it difficult to earn a living or maintain a decent quality of life.

Death

If the above reasons aren't enough motivation for getting enough sleep, perhaps the fact that sleep loss has been linked to premature death will be. Especially in men, lack of sleep has been linked to a shorter lifespan. Most of us want to be around long enough to see our children grow up, reach retirement, and take part in all of life's moments, both big and small. Just an extra hour of sleep per night may be what ultimately adds years to your life.

What About Quality of Sleep?

We need a certain amount of sleep each night and this should be easy for most of us, right?

NO! It is actually getting harder to avoid the long term health risks of not getting enough sleep:

The solution is not as simple as it used to be; fixing a vitamin / mineral deficiency, exercise or getting a new mattress. There are many different factors contributing to why chronic lack of sleep is an issue at particular ages and this is not as easily defined by the very same sleep experts sharing information that is supposed to help.

For example:

Sometimes, our biological clocks don't work with the expectations of the fast paced 9 to 5 lifestyle and heavily technical world: This is especially true starting as pre-teens and teenagers:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/from/sleep.html

Another contributing factor is how we all adapt to changes in our specific cultures:

"Despite ample evidence of the associations between lifestyle health behaviors and sleep quality, a comprehensive understanding of the causal relationships may be difficult to achieve. Lifestyle, technology and health behaviors including sleep are all intertwined and strongly embedded in the cultural and social environment." *
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3630968/

- 50-70 million US adults have sleep or wakefulness disorder.

This means that you are included in broken sleep even if your problem is just because your significant other keeps you up with snoring.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm6008.pdf

Suffering From Sleep Deprivation / Insomnia / Broken Sleep / Anxiety / Obesity?

I could go on and on with sources about how food, technology, sexual function and more are contributing to this sleep disease epidemic, but the fact at matter is that you understand that you (or your loved one) is not alone, as well as what the 5 long term health risks of not getting enough sleep are AND how it is up to you to get help to change this chronic sleep deprivation problem in your life.

If you would like to discuss more, please feel free to comment below or you can ADD ME as a friend on Facebook and then message me to join our weight loss support group. You can also check out the product details of our HiBurn8 Night Time Formula to see if this is an option for you.

Thanks so much for following and reading along! Please never hesitate to let me know if there is anything that I can research and write about specifically to help in your weight loss journey!


Blessings To You,
Lea

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Lack of Sleep and Obesity - Studies Examining the Link

Over the past few months, the link between lack of sleep and obesity has been mentioned more on the news and in articles for the public. This is because years of research has confirmed that not getting enough sleep contributes to weight gain in women, men and children alike; and how this makes it more difficult to lose weight through several mechanisms.

Lack of Sleep and Obesity Study Results

One recent study focused on the relationship between chronic lack of sleep and obesity.

The researchers focused on participants who regularly got less than 6 hours of sleep per night. They found that these people were more likely to have increased BMIs and to be obese than those who slept for longer than 6 hours per night.

There are several mechanisms through which a lack of sleep is thought to contribute to obesity:

1) When the body is tired, it releases more ghrelin, an appetite-stimulating hormone. This leads to increased appetite and causes people to eat more than they do when well rested.

2) Sleep deprivation also decreases the amount of leptin, an appetite suppressing hormone, that the body releases. Thus, sleep deprived people must eat a lot more in order to feel satisfied.

5 Long Term Health Risks of Not Getting Enough Sleep

How Common of A Problem Is Sleep Deprivation?

One study estimates that more than 1/3 of adults in the United States are not getting enough sleep. This was previously 18%, 53 million people in total, getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night. Many of these adults suffer from obesity, which is likely brought on at least in part by not getting enough sleep. Those who begin sleeping more find that they are better able to resist cravings and lose weight, though this greatly dependent on food addiction and whether bad habits are intentionally replaced by good ones. One more thing to keep in mind is the connection between diabetes, sleep and obesity and how all 3 are climbing in recent stats.

How Much Sleep Do We Need?

According to the National Sleep Foundation these are the appropriate hours of sleep needed by age:

Newborn (0 to 3 months):
--- Recommended: 14 to 17 hours sleep needed
--- Acceptable Range: 11 to 19 hours total

Infants (4 to 11 months)
--- Recommended: 12 to 15 hours sleep needed
--- Acceptable Range: 10 to 18 hours total

Toddlers (1 to 2 years old)
--- Recommended: 11 to 14 hours sleep needed
--- Acceptable Range: 9 to 16 hours total

Pre-School Age (3 to 5 years)
--- Recommended: 10 to 13 hours sleep needed
--- Acceptable Range: 8 to 14 hours total

School Aged Children (6 to 13 years)
--- Recommended: 9 to 11 hours sleep needed
--- Acceptable Range: 7 to 12 hours total

Teenagers 14-17 years
--- Recommended: 8 to 10 hours sleep needed
--- Acceptable Range: 7 to 11 hours total

Young Adults (18 to 25 years old)
--- Recommended: 7 to 9 hours sleep needed
--- Acceptable Range: 6 to 11 hours total

Adults (26 to 64 years old)
--- Recommended: 7 to 9 hours sleep needed
--- Acceptable Range: 6 to 10 hours total

Older Adults (65+ years old)
--- Recommended: 7 to 8 hours sleep needed
--- Acceptable Range: 5 to 9 hours total

Lack of Sleep and Obesity In Children

Sleep deprivation is not a problem that is restricted to adults, either. Another study examined the link between sleep deprivation in children and later development of obesity and diabetes. Researchers followed children over time and found that those who frequently got inadequate sleep were more likely to become overweight later in life than those who slept more. Not only were sleep deprived children at an increased risk of obesity, but they were also likely to develop diabetes. A lack of sleep is thought to decrease insulin sensitivity, which leads to type II diabetes as the child develops.

How To Get Better Sleep and Control Weight Gain?

These studies have an important take-home message for anyone who is trying to maintain or lose weight:

1) Diet and exercise are important, but they are not quite enough.

2) Getting adequate sleep is absolutely essential for those who wish to shed pounds.

3) We need to let children and teens sleep their full hours needed in order to reduce their risk of obesity and diabetes later in life.

This may be why some school districts are starting to restructure the times when students start school, so that it is not as early for them. Regardless, as parents and grandparents we need to do our very best to get and keep our children on good sleep schedules for their health and success in school.

NEED HELP WITH SLEEP AND WEIGHT LOSS?

Many of you have asked whether you should try HiBurn8 for help with sleep and weight loss. A lot of our customers are having success with it for a more restful night, and doing better with the weight loss by taking HiBurn8 at night and either Skinny Fiber or Skinny Body Max during the day. If this regiment is not in your budget, you can always try the following for sleep help:

1) Don't eat at least 3 hours before bed. Only drink water if it does not contribute to your lack of sleep at night.

2) Stick to a daily schedule; especially when you go to bed and aim to wake each morning.

3) Make bedtime as comfortable as possible; take a warm bath, put memory foam on your mattress or get a new one that feels best to you, use darkening curtains or a sleeping mask, light clothing or naked, and any other details that can help you fall asleep and slumber better such as No TV, electronic devices or work in your bedroom.

4) Avoid foods and drinks that have caffeine; opt for more natural options. Also, eat healthier during the day to aid in weight loss instead of continued weight gain.

5) Exercise daily - it helps with stress (physical / mental) and better sleep.

6) Meditation can also help develop a relaxing state that leads to sleeping better.

Take HiBurn8 every night! It has ingredients that help with sleep and weight loss, as well as muscle and tissue repair, inflammation, stress and so much more.



Click here to learn more about HiBurn8 and why it helps with sleep, weight loss & health!

Please feel free contact me if you have any questions and share this post with friends! One of them may find it helpful.


Blessings To You,
Lea



Resources:


Patel SR, Hu FB. Short sleep duration and weight gain: a systematic review. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008; 16:643-53.

Knutson KL and Van Cauter E. Associations between sleep loss and increased risk of obesity and diabetes. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2008;1129:287-304.

Kristen L. Knutson. Does Inadequate Sleep Play a Role in Vulnerability to Obesity? American Journal of Human Biology. 2012; 24 (3): 361.

Benedict C. Letters To The Editor: Compromised sleep increases food intake in humans: two sexes, same response. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95:531.

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12 Ways To Manage Stress For Weight Loss, Sleep & Health

Stress is the #1 enemy of millions of people today. This is due to our hectic lifestyles, as well as the demanding reoccurring responsibilities at work and home. The problem is that many of us don't realize how stressed we are in “normal” daily life. Unfortunately, increased health and wellness issues prove just how much stress affects us as a society. If you are struggling with obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, insomnia, depression or other chronic health issue, these are all directly related to stress. In addition to those specific health problems, stress can also create rifts in personal relationships, cause you to function poorly at your job and bring financial hardships at any point in time. Stress isn't something that you can’t simply ignore – it builds up and does not go away on its own.

Here are 12 ways to manage stress, so that you can start losing weight, sleep better and achieve a healthier way of life! Please SHARE this post to save and give friends!

Connection Between Stress, Sleep & Weight Loss

Sleep and stress go hand in hand for weight loss. If you struggle to get a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep, it is more than likely that stress is causing the sleep issues, and vice versa because lack of sleep causes stress on your body. Both sleep issues and stress affect hormones in your body (cortisol being a major one); both can cause chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and depression. The following suggestions can help you:

How to Manage Stress for Weight Loss & Sleep

Exercise Stress Away

Regular exercise has HUGE benefits for reducing stress that affects weight loss, sleep and health. Two of the most popular methods are meditation and yoga. These remedies not only address the mental and emotional symptoms of stress, but can also alleviate the physical manifestations of stress depending on the style of yoga and routines. If you want to completely manage stress, you can take a more aggressive physical stand against it by adding even more activity. Running, Swimming, Tennis, Biking, Basketball or other type of cardiovascular exercise will help ease stress and contribute to better sleep, too.

If you are already walking or doing lighter workouts, though are still experiencing sleep and stress issues, then you may need to increase how much you workout (exercise for an hour instead of 30 minutes) or how often you work out (increase to 5 days a week instead of just 3 days). You will most certainly see improvement for weight loss by exercising more. It also helps to switch up the types of exercise you’re doing (day one = walk or run, day 2 = yoga or weight training, day 3 = cycle or stair climb, etc.). That variety doesn't let the body get too comfortable with any certain form of exercise, thus keeping it a challenge and helping the body manage stress.

Drink More Water

You will notice that I constantly recommend drinking at least 1/2 your weight in ounces of water each day. It is more than a simple case of not feeling thirsty; water and stress go together just like sleep and stress are connected. This is because dehydration causes stress on the body. Water is essential for your brain and other organs to function properly. It can help maintain your heart rate, cortisol level and flushes harmful toxins from your body. Staying hydrated means that you should never feel thirsty and is essential for weight loss, stress reduction and good health in general.

Start Eating Healthier

Yes, food and stress are connected, too. A healthy diet is less stressful on the body. Some stress
relieving foods include vegetables, fruits, fish, soups, yogurt and herbal products. Some stress increasing foods include caffeinated coffee, tea, cocoa and energy drinks. Additionally, fast food, alcohol, soda / pop, sugar / foods with sugar, dairy, nuts and meats. I am not saying that you have to give up all of those foods, but if you may want to test certain ones through an elimination process if you are dealing with health complications due to stress. Food is another culprit for stress, weight gain and health issues.

Massage Stress Away

I know this may sound crazy, but body massage can also become an important part of distressing and weight loss. Stress causes the muscles in the body to tense up, slowing down blood circulation and leading the way to more serious health complications. You can avoid these problems by getting a massage once a week or once a month, depending on your budget and how much stress you are exposed to in your daily life. Certain massage also detoxes the body. Detoxing is directly related to relieving you of stress and toxins for weight loss, sleep, and mental health.

If your sleep problem does not improve with proper diet, water and exercise, then you should consult with your doctor for help. He or she may recommend something natural like melatonin, chamomile or other natural remedy. There are prescription sleep aids, too. If weight loss does not improve, try Skinny Fiber to increase your dietary fiber, stamina and enzymes.

Why You Are Stressed & How To Manage It

You're Relationship w/ God | Prayer & Meditation

Unnecessary distance from God can create a tremendous amount of stress in your life. You can avoid this through sincere prayer and taking time to study your bible daily. Most importantly the scriptures are filled with what to do and what not to do when stressed, anxious and unhappy. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:6-7 - All we have to do is come to Him. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 and so on. Read your bible and open your heart to the Lord; his lessons, love and comfort can help you conquer anything!

Your Clothes Don’t Fit Right

Wear properly fitting clothes. Did you know that many people are stressed out not because of their environment but because of their clothes? Stress can be the offshoot of wearing clothes or shoes that are too tight, thus constricting blood circulation.

Your Purse, Backpack or Case Is Too Heavy

Reduce the contents of your purse, backpack, computer or briefcase. Carrying heavy bags, especially when you have a long commute wherein you have to stand in the subway, for instance, can cause a lot of stress on your body. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel if you get rid of all the unnecessary items from your purse. Your shoulders and back muscles will thank you.

Smoking For Stress Adds More Stress On The Body

Quit smoking! Smoking is bad for the health and causes a multitude of illnesses and diseases. Stress is just one of the many nasty consequences you can avoid if you quit smoking as soon as possible.

Holding In What Bothers You

"Getting it off your chest" is an important quote to remember. Expressing your feelings and concerns is one of the best ways to manage stress. Holding in what bothers you can cause even more physical and mental stress. If you do not have someone that you feel comfortable sharing with or are at fear for stressing others out with your problems, then you can talk with your doctor, find an anonymous hotline, support group or a therapist. They can help you verbalize and release what is bothering you; plus, offer suggestions for how to manage stress better, too. Please do not forget that YOU CAN ALWAYS turn to God in prayer and the scriptures to help deal with stress.

Alone Time (Pray, Enjoy Nature, Read, Bathe, Nap, Movies, Etc.)

Constant interaction with other people can take a toll on you for sure. We all need a little alone time to think, pamper and rest. For some people, exercising or driving provides that time. Some people need different activities to fulfill that need for alone time and to manage stress. For example, leaving the kid(s) with your spouse or a sitter so that you can go to the park to pray, meditate, read, think, etc. Other examples include reading, going to the beach, fishing, playing golf, taking a bubble bath, going to the movies, napping, computer games, etc. There is nothing wrong with taking the time alone to do things that make you happy. It is also a way to manage stress overload.

Recognizing / Admitting What Stresses You & Dealing With It

This is probably the hardest of all. It is pinpointing what is stressing you and dealing with it. I know this seems impossible in some cases, but try to keep an open mind. If driving to and from work stresses you out to the point of physical or anxiety issues, then you either have to find a closer job, move closer to your job or work from home. If dealing with certain people is damaging to your health and wellness, then you need to deal with it. If you can't do it on your own, then relationship therapy can help if the other person is willing to do this with you. On the other hand, sometimes, certain relationships have to go. They are far more toxic than talking, exercise, food, drink or alone time can resolve for you. Whatever or whoever is contributing to making you sick, fat, stressed and / or unhappy ... You have to deal with it because you deserve a better quality of life.

De-Stress To Age Gradually, Sleep Better, Live Longer & Healthy

Some other affects of stress include aging more quickly, chronic muscle pains (back, neck, etc), GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease), IBS (irritable bowl syndrome), asthma and DYING younger than you should --- STRESS CAN KILL YOU!

The consequences of stress are so vast that I have been motivated to share these 12 ways to manage stress for your weight loss, sleep and health. I hope that you will try your very best to put into action these simple but effective strategies and also realize that there are many other ways to deal with stress like counting, breathing techniques, music, crafts, taking vitamins and magnesium, etc. I have just shared those I know work from experiences.

Please make sure to click the share buttons to give this article to people you care about, so they can learn some other ways to manage their stress, too!

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALWAYS!


Your Friend,

Lea
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