by Mario Carini

Created on: October 13, 2010   Last Updated: October 14, 2010

Weight loss is a perpetual problem for the 65% of Americans who are overweight. Despite the many diets, weight loss plans, pills and surgeries tried by millions, the fat simply refuses to disappear. Some have given up and accepted obesity as a way of life; the result of aging. Others hold up hope that some elixir will materialize so they can shed the pounds effortlessly.

Losing weight means more than just eating fewer calories. If that was so, obesity wouldn't exist. Unfortunately, there are more factors than just the diet that is making you fat. Everyone understands that unhealthy eating has a great deal to do with how much weight they will add on. But most people focus entirely on the diet and forget those other factors that keep them fat.

Whether you lose weight or not depends on your lifestyle that includes what you eat. You can't expect to lose weight simply by getting on the latest fad diet. The cause must be addressed and since everyone is different, no one single diet will work for all. Once you know why you are gaining weight, you can then address the cause and create that slimmer you. This kind of approach makes weight loss effortless as so many successful dieters have discovered.  So what are some of the reasons you're not losing those added pounds?

•The Diet

It's the number one factor and the one most addressed. Today's high calorie diets, high carbohydrate and refined foods come loaded with sugar and fats that the body can't use. What the body can't handle it stores as fat. High glycemic foods force the pancreas to produce the insulin needed to shuttle glucose into the cells of the body where it can be used for energy. But insulin is also a fat storage hormone that helps move those excess calories into fat cells. The only solution to losing weight is to switch to a high fiber, low carbohydrate diet that creates a slow rise in glucose so the pancreas doesn't need to produce so much insulin.

•Poor Quality Food

While store shelves may be stocked with food, that food is often poor quality on the nutrition scale. Today's produce and meats come from commercial farms that use fertilizers, pesticides, genetic modification and chemicals that strip away what nutrients are left. Without essential vitamins and minerals, your body can't function at its best. That often translates to more fat storage. Fat is effective in containing toxins until they are released through exercise.

•Lack of Exercise

You live in a sedentary society. A century

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