inspire HEALTH article by Professor Kerryn Phelps
You've been eating less and exercising more, but still can't lose that stubborn excess weight. Could genetics, hormones and other health issues be sabotaging your best efforts?
Think you've tried everything to lose weight and still it won't shift? It's true that some women find it harder to lose weight than others and, sometimes, it can take a bit of detective work to figure out what's causing stubborn weight gain...
FLUID RETENTION ...
Fluid retention is often unfairly blaimed for women being overweight. However, some people do carry a few extra kilos as a result of retaining water. It might be a reaction to hot weather, or the menstrual cycle or the result of too much salt in the diet. It can also be a sesult of too little protein in the diet or of a deficiency of vitamin B1.
GENETICS ...
Look at your parents' and grandparents' body shapes. Sometimes, your shape is the result of genetic factors increasing the likelihood of obesity. We also know that genetics play only a part-eating and exercise, combined with genetics, will determine your body shape and size. So take heart, a lot of familial obesity is the result of learned eating and exercise habits, which you can change.
ALCOHOL ...
You can count on every alcohol drink containing more than 400 kilojoules. A lot of women with otherwise healthy diets find that just cutting their alcohol intake to one or two drinks a couple of days a week drops the kilograms faster than they imagined.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ...
Out of the things suggested to those with weight issues is to clear out their drug cabinet and bring in any medications and supplements they are taking. Weight gain is a side-effect of many medications, including anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, some blood pressure pills, the oral contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy, and epilepsy medication. However, it is important you don't stop abruptly or alter any prescriped medications before you discuss your treatment plan with your doctor.
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