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Common Causes of Weight Loss

Your weight loss program should help you reach your health goals, but sometimes the road to weight loss can be bumpy. Certain causes of weight loss are harmless and temporary, but other weight loss causes can indicate something more serious going on in your body that your weight loss program doesn’t cover, like cancer or diabetes. Here are some common causes of weight loss that you should watch out for.

7 Common Causes of Weight Loss:

Weight loss is a big concern for many Americans, as it should be. Being overweight can cause a number of health problems ranging from high blood pressure to heart disease and diabetes. The good news is that a healthy weight loss program is within your reach! You might be wondering if you’re ready to start losing weight. If so, check out these common causes of weight loss and get started today! ***A weight loss program could also refer to Weight Watchers***

Arch rival Weight Watchers has filed a lawsuit against its former CEO, Michelle Smith, claiming she stole trade secrets after leaving her post in 2014. The company says Smith violated her contract when she signed an agreement with SlimGenics Inc., which had been competing with Weight Watchers since 2009. According to papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday by WW International Inc., Smith's new company would share proprietary information about data collection used by Weight Watchers for its members to track their dietary intake in order to lose weight more effectively.

A low-calorie diet:

When you eat less, your body burns less. Losing weight is about expending more calories than you consume. This is called creating a calorie deficit, which causes weight loss over time. Generally speaking, a person can lose 1-2 pounds per week if they create a 500-calorie deficit per day (3,500-7,000 calories for a one-week period). Weight loss occurs when we're in an energy balance; that is, our total daily caloric intake is equal to our expenditure. The most common cause of weight loss is going on a diet and consuming fewer calories than are necessary to maintain weight, which ultimately will cause us to lose weight due to creating a calorie deficit. What’s essential here is making sure your body can burn off those extra calories while keeping everything else running properly. And unfortunately, many diets promote food items or eating habits that make it difficult for us to do so—we don't want diets that hurt our bodies and sabotage our progress! In fact, it's almost impossible (especially long term) to keep losing weight without exercise, so don't cut yourself short there either.

Lack of exercise:

It's a fact: When you're not exercising, you're at greater risk for weight gain. Why? Exercise helps regulate hormones, including insulin and ghrelin (the hunger hormone), that can impact how much we eat. It also strengthens your muscles, bones, and other tissues, making them work more efficiently. And with all those benefits, there's no wonder people who exercise on a regular basis tend to have an easier time losing weight than their sedentary counterparts. What are some good ways to manage my weight loss program? A healthy lifestyle will help prevent weight gain over time by keeping your metabolism high. Here are some suggestions from Prevention experts: Begin exercising 30 minutes daily, whether it's through jogging or yoga; Add muscle with weights two times per week; Cut out 500 calories from what you normally eat each day; Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Another effective method is setting goals—like one pound per week—and creating incentives if you don't reach them.

Malnutrition:

One of the most common causes of weight loss is malnourishment. If you’re not eating enough food or you’re skipping meals altogether, your body will begin to slowly waste away. Make sure you are getting enough nutrients from whole foods, and if that isn’t possible for whatever reason, try supplementing with vitamins until your situation improves. Consider consulting a doctor as well. Common signs of malnutrition include dizziness, weakness, headaches, and nausea. If you notice any of these symptoms accompanied by weight loss (you won’t lose weight on a nutrient-rich diet), it may be time to visit a doctor. This kind of weight loss should be addressed immediately!

Chronic stress:

Cortisol is a hormone released in response to stress that suppresses your immune system and increases cravings for unhealthy foods. To lose weight safely but quickly, you should practice stress reduction techniques like yoga or meditation, which have been shown to lower cortisol levels. Also, don’t overeat after stressful events; even a small amount of calories can lead to weight gain over time. Finally, take your vitamins—specifically Vitamin B12, which is essential for weight loss by reducing stress hormones—and consider upping your intake of healthy fats such as avocado and fish oil. If all else fails, try seeing a therapist—that might be what you need!


Genetics (it's not always your fault!) :

If you've ever been on a diet, you know how frustrating it can be when your weight loss stagnates. While many diets work for some people and not others, it's common for individuals to start looking inward to understand why their body isn't responding to their weight loss program. The answer could be as simple as genetics! There are certain genetic variations that may make weight loss harder or easier based on DNA alone.


Smoking/Alcohol use :

Up to 35 pounds can be attributed to smoking and alcohol use. In fact, many people who’ve stopped drinking or quit smoking will gain weight as a result. This is because these habits speed up metabolism and reduce activity levels, creating an energy gap in your body that you’ll often fill with junk food. Research has shown that smokers and drinkers tend to weigh less than non-smokers and nondrinkers, so if you need to lose weight fast, quitting these bad habits is your best bet.

Unhealthy habits - like smoking, unhealthy diet, etc. 

We’ve already discussed unhealthy eating habits that can result in weight loss, but it’s important to also consider lifestyle habits. Smoking cigarettes, for example, is not only detrimental to your health but also a proven way to lose weight quickly. Start today by putting out that cigarette! Consider a diet change or quitting unhealthy activities altogether if you really want to see your waistline shrink. It’s also very important to stay active—exercise has been shown time and again to reduce stress and blood pressure while helping increase weight loss success. Don’t let yourself get too sedentary; try walking or biking whenever possible, and make time for exercise at least 3 times per week in addition to any other routine you might have. Work hard on improving your overall mental state as well; staying positive will help keep stress levels down and ensure better results from whatever efforts you do make toward healthy living.



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