Reasons or Excuses

The other day CNN had a story on why women can't lose weight. Is this the answer we've been looking for to explain why we are losing the weight battle or just another excuse for not doing what needs to be done to improve our health status? Here's what they said and my take on it:

• "Sluggish Thyroid" - disrupts metabolism resulting in the body using less calories. The report cited a figure of as many as 10% of the adult population having issues with their thyroid. OK, maybe but two questions come to mind...

1. Folks that test low in terms of thyroid activity are treated with medication bringing up the metabolism to normal levels and

2. Health professionals would welcome obesity levels reported at 10% of the population. With levels well over 30% thyroid activity clearly is not the reason.


Hormone Problems - The article cited 1 in 10 women having a condition which causes ovulation problems that among other things lead to insulin resistance which can result in fat storage. Again that's at the most 10% no where near where the obesity levels are currently. Again, simple blood tests reveal how well the blood sugar/insulin regulation works. Insulin levels are check each time blood is taken.

Food Troublemakers - The foods referred to here are those for which certain folks are intolerant or allergic. If that's the case then those foods are avoided by those people. The temporary bloating or discomfort is resolved when the offending food is eliminated which it almost always is. This is not an issue in weight loss or gain which results from balancing calories in with calories out over time.


Medications - Side effects of certain drugs include water retention. These effects are well publisized and temporary. Again, weight maintence occurs over time by balancing intake and output.


Many of us are constantly on the lookout for a reason why we seem unable to do what we know we need to do. Chief among them is finding an excuse for why we are larger or less active than we know we need to be. Pounds are dropped by eating less and moving more. Granted, this is easier for some than for others but like anything else worth having it is worth it!


Learn to enjoy eating healthy and activities that involve movement. It works and it's fun!


Happy, Healthy Eating,

Marcia