It’s important to keep your weight in check. For the 73.6% of adults in the United States who are overweight or obese, losing weight can be very important. However, many people can keep their weight in a healthy range by balancing their diet and exercise. But losing weight, especially a lot of it, takes more than just eating fewer calories. Up to 90% of people who lose a lot of weight will gain it back.

1. Your Metabolism Will Slow Down, Which Will Make You Gain Weight

Metabolic compensation is when your metabolism wants to slow down so that you can keep your current weight. This happens when you exercise or eat fewer calories to lose weight. Even with additional support like weight loss pills, your body may begin to store and protect fat so that it can be used as fuel later. Researchers say that this happens because the human body has evolved to value storing energy and fat and to see a lack of calories as a sign of suffering.

2. Your Hormones Will Make You Want to Eat More

Your body can make it harder to lose weight or easier to gain weight in ways other than metabolic compensation. Leptin, which is made by fat cells, tells your brain when you’re full. When you lose weight, your fat cells get smaller and make less leptin, which makes you feel less full.

Your stomach makes ghrelin, which tells your brain when it’s time to eat again. When you lose weight, your ghrelin levels go up, which makes you want to eat more.

3. Losing Weight Changes How Your Brain Works

When you lose weight, the part of your brain that controls self-control over eating becomes less active. This makes you eat more to feel full (thanks to leptin), but it also makes you less aware of how much you’re eating.

4. Your Genes Matter

More than 400 genes that affect appetite, metabolism, cravings, and the way body fat is distributed have been linked to obesity and weight gain. We don’t know how much your genes can make you more likely to be overweight or gain weight, but some genes have been linked to problems losing weight even when you work out more or eat fewer calories.

If you are genetically prone to fat, it is easier to control your weight. A preventative approach works better because it stops obesity before it starts.

5. Your Body Is More Ready for the Second Try

If you’ve lost weight before by exercising or changing your diet, your body’s hormones and metabolism will adjust to avoid similar damage if you try to do it again. Because of this, you will lose less weight.

6. Your Weight Could Be Your Favorite Number

Some scientists say that your brain, hormones, and metabolism all work together to keep your body’s set point weight. People can naturally weigh more or less than others. Things like hormone changes, getting older, genetics, and losing weight in the past can all change a person’s set point. The hypothesis posits that your set point weight is infrequently lower but may occasionally rise. It’s easier to keep your set point weight because your body likes to stay at it instead of losing it.

7. You Might Not See the Weight Loss You Were Hoping For

You might be surprised at how different your body looks after you lose weight. A lot of people have trouble with their emotions when their bodies don’t meet their standards, and stretch marks and loose skin are common. During such transitions, having proper guidance and support—similar to the structured assistance provided through Arizona Guardianship services—can make it easier to navigate emotional and physical changes with confidence.

8. Your Weight Doesn’t Affect How You Feel Emotionally

People often feel better emotionally and happier when they lose weight. When they lose weight but are still unhappy with other parts of their lives, they may get stuck in a cycle of unhappiness. One reason could be feeling guilty for not being happy after losing weight and needing to eat to deal with those feelings. After losing a lot of weight, some people may not know what their next goal is.

Things That Can Help

There are some simple things you can do to help you reach your weight loss goals. For example, you could make protein a regular part of your meals and snacks or start a weight loss program with cardio before moving on to weight training and resistance training.

It’s good for your mental health to focus on small, doable lifestyle goals while you’re trying to lose weight. Instead of trying to get a low number on the scale, you could focus on getting to a point where you feel comfortable playing sports or going to a group fitness class.

Setting small goals that can lead to bigger changes can help you stay away from the traps of quick fixes.

Expert Insight from Dr. Pittman

“The most important thing is you,” says Matthew R. Pittman, MD, who is in charge of bariatric surgery at Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group. “Weight loss programs that use both medical and surgical help have been very successful.” “To lose weight and keep it off for good, you have to fully commit to the changes in your behavior and lifestyle that are needed.”

Professional Support for Your Weight Loss Journey

If you want to lose weight, a lifestyle medicine specialist can also help you set realistic goals, manage your expectations, and adjust to the changes in your body. You might also want to think about whether or not a nutritionist is right for you.

The Northwestern Medicine Center for Lifestyle Medicine team is great at helping people set realistic goals. They do everything from helping adults lose weight and manage their weight to lowering their risk factors and giving them tools to eat well and be active.