One of the most challenging things about losing weight can often be overcoming all the obstacles that can stand in your way. From plateaus and hormones to nutrition choices and under or overtraining, many challenges come hand-in-hand with trying to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Overcoming them can be daunting, but it's not impossible. With the right mindset and a helping hand, you'll be on your way to reaching your goals in no time! Here are 5 common obstacles to losing weight.

1. You are choosing the wrong types of food.

Not all food is created equal. When you eat 100 calories of broccoli or an apple, you are going to feel full and more satisfied for longer than if you eat 100 calories of chips. The reason for this is your body digests processed food much quicker, and it often leaves you feeling hungry and looking for more sugar/processed food due to a slump in your blood sugar shortly after. On the contrary, foods high in protein in fiber (such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) digest slowly, and cause a slow blood sugar rise, which stabilizes your blood sugar, keeping you satisfied. If you are looking to improve your overall health, and/or lose weight, choosing real foods over processed (making your own muffins with real food ingredients versus buying a packaged muffin at the store for example), and eating foods that are rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats can help stabilize your blood sugar levels, resulting in satisfaction and a reduction of caloric intake overall- which equates to weight loss.

2. You don’t move your body consistently.

When it comes to weight loss, thinking of calories as a budget can be helpful. If you think of calories as “energy”, (because essentially that is what they provide for your body), its easier to think about how many your body needs, and budget accordingly. If you are a very active person (both in lifestyle and/or exercise), then you will need more energy to fuel your body, which gives you a greater budget to work with. It is sort of like getting a paycheck. If your paycheck is greater, you have more money to work with in your budget. If you spend more than you have, you will be in debt. The same is true with caloric needs. If you consume as much or more than you need, you will either maintain or gain weight. In order to lose weight you need to be in a caloric deficit, and to do this, moving helps you achieve a deficit.

3. Your hormones are imbalanced.

Hormones aren’t often solely to blame for weight loss problems, (meaning there is usually an inconsistency with movement and proper nutrition as well), but they can contribute to the problem if they are out of balance. If you have symptoms of hormonal imbalance, it may be a good idea to see a doctor or naturopath in order to identify the problem and restore balance.

4. You are stressed out.

If you are chronically tired or stressed, there is a good chance your cortisol levels are through the roof. Cortisol is a hormone that impacts multiple systems in your body, and our bodies were not designed to endure a release of cortisol long term. All of our bodies can endure short seasons of stress, but a prolonged release of cortisol can make it harder to lose weight because our bodies go into “self preservation” mode when it thinks it is in a state of emergency. Excess cortisol can be released when stressed, tired, anxious, worrying, and even over-exercising. Changing your lifestyle and resting more is key to reducing cortisol levels if possible.

5. You dont believe you will ever change.

Many people feel discouraged in their weightless endeavors simply because they have tried so many times before and failed. Multiple “failures” often produces a mindset of defeat and that mindset can disrupt success before you even begin to make changes. Weight loss that is both successful and maintainable is only achieved through a lifestyle change, and part of that lifestyle is the way you think in your mind. If you believe you can and will be able to change, you will! If you don’t think you can lose weight or live a healthier lifestyle, you probably won’t. Where the mind goes the man follows, and our mindset is critical to success in every area of life! I would encourage you to start writing down your goals, and ask God to help you gain a vision for the victory. Write down scriptures, notes to yourself, and pray for daily strength, grace, and encouragement from the Holy Spirit to help you see yourself as a victor! It won’t be long until you start to see yourself, and the direction of your life heading in the right direction!