We all know the science behind losing weight. Eat less, move more- how easy is that? But not really, because if it was that simple, then none of us would be overweight. There are so many reasons as to why some of us struggle with our weight (whereas others seemingly stay slim without trying at all) and it’s essential to understand what these are. Being overweight doesn’t mean you’re uneducated, lazy, or greedy- in fact, most people who have struggled to lose pounds over the years have worked incredibly hard but without success. Here are some of the reasons why.

Having A Naturally Bigger Appetite
Some people naturally have a bigger appetite. If you fall into this category, you’ll know that being hungry is hard, and being hungry for any length of time can make weight loss feel impossible. Diets tend to backfire as you can reduce your calories and make headway on losing weight initially, but when the hunger becomes unbearable, you end up eating again- and eating more. The weight goes back on, and you get stuck in the cycle of yo-yo dieting.
One of the frustrating things about having a larger appetite is that it causes you to eat more, and then, in response, your body produces hunger hormones that make you feel hungrier still. For lots of people, this leads to gaining more and more weight over time and being unable to keep it off long-term. Thankfully, there are options these days that can help people who are struggling with weight loss due to having a bigger-than-average appetite.
These include hypnotherapy for weight loss or modern weight loss medications. These include Ozempic/ Wegovy and Mounjaro, amongst others, that can prevent hunger signals in the brain. They mean that you’re no longer excessively hungry and not thinking about food all the time, so can cut back on calories without it being too difficult.
Underlying Medical Conditions
There are a number of medical conditions that can contribute to weight gain, or make losing weight much more challenging than for the average person. One common issue is an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism. This condition slows down the body’s metabolism, leading to weight gain, fatigue, and difficulty losing weight despite efforts to eat healthily and exercise.
Hormonal imbalances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can also affect weight by disrupting the body’s ability to regulate insulin and process carbohydrates effectively. Certain medications, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, hormonal contraception, and corticosteroids, can all lead to weight gain as a side effect. Mobility issues that prevent exercise (like arthritis, chronic pain, or injuries) can also add to the problem by limiting your physical activity, which is of course a crucial component of weight management.
Bad Habits
Bad habits can be another barrier to weight loss- many of us develop habits over the years that contribute to weight gain, often without even realising it. Emotional eating is a common issue where you might turn to food for comfort during stressful or emotional times, leading to overeating and poor food choices.
Mindless eating like snacking while watching TV or eating out of boredom can consume more calories than necessary. Poor sleep habits can also impact weight, as lack of sleep can disrupt hunger hormones, leading to increased appetite and cravings for high calorie foods. Plus busy lifestyles often lead to relying on convenient, processed foods that are high in sugar and unhealthy fats, further contributing to weight gain.
There are lots of reasons why people eat more than they need, weight gain can also be caused from medical conditions that affect the metabolism and a number of bad habits that you might not even realise you have. To lose and maintain a healthy weight, these are all things that need to be looked into. Obesity is a medical issue just like any other- and treating it means making sure we see it that way rather than passing blame onto the person.