5 Unusual Reasons You're Not Losing Weight

Weight loss can be tricky. We all know we need to consume fewer calories than we burn to lose weight, but sometimes—even when you’re doing all the right things—that weight loss can come to a screeching halt.

This can happen for a number of reasons, but, more often than not, it’s comes down to something that requires a serious lifestyle change to fix. Here are 5 of the most common, yet not-so-obvious reasons you’re not losing weight, plus some tried-and-true.

1. You’re Stressed “Stress is the silent killer.” This is especially true when it comes to weight loss. Stress releases cortisol (often simply referred to as “the stress hormone”)—and in today’s society, excessively high cortisol levels are incredibly common. Cortisol degrades muscle tissue and encourages the storage of body fat, and is has been linked to other health issues that are a lot more serious than a few extra pounds around your waist.

If you want to get lean, then you need to make a serious effort to lower your stress levels. (Easier said than done, I know!) Try limiting the length of your workouts to 45 minutes, surrounding yourself with positive people, meditating, and getting plenty of sleep.

2. You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep Not only does enough sleep reduce levels of cortisol, but it also produces growth hormone (GH). GH pretty much has the opposite effect of cortisol on the body—it encourages fat loss, supports your immune system, and helps to keep your organs functioning properly.

Sleep also balances the hormones that control hunger. If you’ve ever gone to bed hungry and woken up not hungry, this is why. On the flip side, if you miss a night’s sleep you are likely to eat more calories the next day. While it varies from person to person, most of us should aim to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.

3. You’re Not Drinking Enough Water You’re probably sick and tired of hearing about how important water is to your health, but most people still don’t drink enough of it.

There’s a whole host of benefits to drinking enough water, one of which is proper kidney function. Dehydration impairs your kidneys, and when your kidneys aren’t working properly, your liver has to pick up the slack. Your liver is responsible for the metabolism of fat, which means fat cannot be metabolized as efficiently when your liver has to work twice as hard to remove toxins.
The solution is simple: when you’re thirsty, drink water. In particular, ensure that you are hydrated around workouts.

4. You Have Poor Digestion The gut is incredibly complicated, and scientists are only scratching the surface when it comes to understanding how the natural micro-biome of gut bacteria works. But one thing is clear: whether you want to improve your ability to lose fat, boost your immune system, clear up your skin, or even just feel better on daily basis, it all starts with gut health.

Unfortunately, most people don’t usually realize their gut isn’t functioning properly until it’s too late. But there are steps you can take to help prevent any malfunctions: reduce stress, eat fewer meals or even consider periods of fasting to give your digestive system a break, minimize the consumption of legumes, grains, sugar and pastured dairy, and chew your food until it’s mush before swallowing.

5. You’re Not Eating Enough Fiber Fiber aids digestive health and helps to create a sense of fullness, which makes consuming fewer calories easier.

It’s estimated that only 5% of Americans get enough fiber. Why are people missing out? Most of us assume we’re getting enough from grain-based products like bread and cereal, but the reality is these highly-processed foods have been stripped of their nutrients and fiber. Instead, eat more fruit and vegetables, and opt for whole grains, like brown rice and steal-cut oatmeal.

Could one of these issues be to blame for your weight loss plateau? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Via: MyFitnessPal

Healthy Summer Burgers

Turkey Burger:

Total Time: 32 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 12 min.
Yield: 4 servings


Ingredients:

¼ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
½ cup low-fat buttermilk
1 lb. raw 93% lean ground turkey breast
2 green onions, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
Ground black pepper (to taste; optional)


Preparation:

1. Combine bread crumbs and buttermilk in a medium bowl; mix well. Let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Preheat grill or broiler on high.
3. Add turkey, green onions, parsley, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper (if desired) to bread crumb mixture; mix well with clean hands.
4. Shape into 4 patties.
5. Grill or broil for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until patties are no longer pink in the middle.

 

Portobello Burger:

 

Total Time: 1 hr. 15 min.

Prep Time: 5 min.
Cook Time: 10 min.
Yield: 4 servings


Ingredients:

4 large portobello mushroom caps, about 5 inches in diameter
⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
½ cup water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 whole wheat buns, toasted, sliced lengthwise to open
4 slices medium tomato
4 thin slices red onion
4 lettuce leaves


Preparation:

1. Place mushrooms in a baking dish, stem side up. Do not use glass.
2. Combine vinegar, water, sugar, garlic, and oil in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Drizzle over mushrooms. Cover; refrigerate for about 1 hour, turning mushrooms once.
3. Preheat grill or broiler.
4. Position cooking rack 4 to 6 inches from the heat source. Grill or broil mushrooms, turning often and basting with marinade, for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender.
5. Place each mushroom on a bun and top with one tomato slice, one onion slice and one lettuce leaf.





Rosemary and Garlic Burger:

 

Total Time: 1 hr. 17 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 1 hr. 7 min.
Yield: 4 servings


Ingredients:

1 whole garlic bulb
1 lb. raw 95% lean ground sirloin
1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated
6 fresh rosemary sprigs, leaves removed and finely chopped, stems discarded
¼ tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. cracked black pepper
4 whole-grain hamburger buns
4 slices medium tomato
4 lettuce leaves
4 red onion slices


Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
2. Remove outer papery white layer from garlic, keeping each individual clove covered, and keeping cloves attached to the bulb. Cut off top ½-inch of bulb. Place on a piece of aluminum foil; wrap to completely seal. Bake for 45 minutes, or until tender.
3. Preheat grill or broiler to high.
4. When cool enough to handle, peel away foil from garlic. Squeeze garlic into a large bowl.
5. Add sirloin, zucchini, rosemary, salt, and pepper; mix well. Shape mixture into four patties.
6. Grill or broil patties for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, or until desired doneness.
7. Top each bottom bun with a patty, tomato slice, lettuce leaf, onion slice, and top bun.

 

 

Mushroom Barley and Sage Burger:

 

Total Time: 55 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 20 min.
Yield: 4 servings


Ingredients:

3 tsp. olive oil, divided use
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 oz. finely chopped mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh sage (or 1 tsp. dried sage)
½ tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. ground black pepper
1½ cups cooked pearl barley (see below)
2 Tbsp. finely chopped walnuts
1 large egg, beaten
¼ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 Tbsp. sherry wine
4 whole wheat hamburger buns, split


Preparation:

1. Heat 1½ tsp. oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until onions are translucent.
3. Add mushrooms, garlic, sage, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until liquid that mushrooms give off evaporates. Remove from heat.
4. Combine onion mixture, barley, walnuts, egg, mozzarella, and sherry; mix well.
5. Shape mixture into 4 patties. Refrigerate 20 minutes.
6. Heat remaining 1½ tsp. oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
7. Add patties; cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until evenly browned and cooked through.
8. Serve each patty on a bun.

Tip: To make 1½ cups cooked pearl barley, place ½ cup dry pearl barley in a small saucepan. Cover with water. Heat to boiling on medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, for 40 to 45 minutes, or until tender. Drain.

  

Italian Bean Burger:

 

These burgers are vegetarian-friendly and packed with wholesome goodness.

Total Time: 20 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Yield: 8 servings


Ingredients:

1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained, rinsed, mashed
2 cups cooked brown rice
¼ cup finely chopped onion
3 Tbsp. all-natural tomato paste
2 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
8 whole-grain hamburger buns
8 slices medium tomato
8 romaine lettuce leaves


Preparation:

1. Preheat grill or broiler to high.
2. Place beans, rice, onion, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and cheese in food processor; pulse until well blended. Form into eight patties.
3. Grill or broil patties for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
4. Place each patty on a bottom bun. Top with tomato, lettuce, and top bun.

Spinach Salmon Patties:


How do you turn a piece of salmon into salmon patties? Actually, it’s pretty simple. We recommend purchasing a piece of skinless salmon, or use this technique to easily remove the skin without losing any of the precious meat. Then, chop as finely as you can. When you’ve got the salmon cut into small pieces, rock your knife blade back and forth across the meat several times to get it finer. Egg white helps bind everything together during cooking.


Total Time: 17 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 7 min.
Yield: 4 servings


Ingredients:

1 lb. raw salmon fillet, skin removed, finely chopped
3 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
3 green onions, finely chopped
1-inch slice fresh ginger, peeled, finely chopped
¼ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
1 large egg white
1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
Nonstick cooking spray
2 Tbsp. pickled ginger


Preparation:

1. Preheat grill or broiler on high.
2. Combine salmon, spinach, green onions, ginger, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; mix well.
3. Combine egg white and soy sauce in a small bowl; whisk to blend.
4. Add to salmon mixture; mix well. Form into four patties, each about ½-inch thick.
5. Lightly coat grill or broiler pan with spray; grill or broil patties, carefully turning once, for 6 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Serve each patty topped with 1½ tsp. pickled ginger.

 

Tofu Burger:

 

Total Time: 2 hrs. 54 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 14 min.
Yield: 4 servings


Ingredients:

2 tsp. olive oil
½ medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 medium carrot, shredded
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 thin slice fresh ginger, peeled, finely chopped
12 oz. firm tofu, well drained, mashed
½ cup chopped almonds, toasted
1 large egg white
4 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
Sea salt and ground black pepper (optional)
Nonstick cooking spray


Preparation:

1. Heat olive oil in medium nonstick skillet on medium-high heat.
2. Add onion and carrot; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent.
3. Add garlic and ginger; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Cool.
4. Combine onion mixture, tofu, almonds, egg white, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds; mix well.
5. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
6. Shape into four patties. Refrigerate, covered, for 1 to 2 hours.
7. Heat medium nonstick skillet, lightly coated with spray, over medium high heat.
8. Add patties; cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.



ViaTeam Beachbody, edited by Maria Doney





Chocolate Peanut Butter Shakeology Ice Cream

 

 

Perfect for hot days!!!!

Total Time: 4 hrs. 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

1 medium banana, cut into chunks
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology
2 tbsp all-natural smooth peanut butter

Preparation:

1. Place banana in plastic bag; freeze for 4 hours, or until completely frozen.
2. Place almond milk, bananas, Shakeology, and peanut butter in blender (or food processor); cover. Blend until smooth.
3. Serve immediately.

Via Team Beachbody