22 Reasons You May Stay Fat Forever

by Dr. Matthew Anderson

I imagine you have realized by now that long-term, healthy weight loss is difficult. You may sometimes feel that it is impossible. Either way, you have probably often felt frustrated and would love to have some honest and productive advice that will make a real difference on your journey to weight loss.

I know what it is like to have difficulty losing weight and keeping it off, and I really dislike writers who offer silly and superficial advice about it. I, therefore, made a commitment to myself and to my readers three years ago (when I began to write for eDiets.com) to be as honest and as helpful as possible. This article reflects that commitment.

I have listed 22 of the most powerful blocks to weight loss that I could identify. I want you to take a look and see how many apply to you in any degree. This list is not meant to make you feel more hopeless. It is designed to help you clearly identify the real blocks to your weight loss and encourage you to productively confront and manage them.

Once you truly know what keeps you from reaching your healthy weight loss goals, you will be able to create a realistic plan. I faced my own blocks three years ago, and I lost 64 pounds. You can do this also if you take my list seriously!

So, read the list and take careful note of the items that stand out for you. These are the ones you need to work on. They may not be easy but any effort will be more useful to you than avoidance.

1. You are still looking for a quick and easy solution to weight loss.

2. You think that diet and exercise are the only essential factors involved in weight loss.

3. You have not identified the psychological reasons that drive your eating patterns.

4. You have not learned to manage or heal the psychological reasons that drive your eating patterns.

5. You have a fear of or resistance to growing up and becoming a full adult.

6. You use food as a reward or a treat after any or all stressful events.

7. You think you can lose weight without making exercise a regular part of your day, every day.

8. You think you can lose weight by doing it “your way.”

9. You expect to lose weight without making significant lifestyle changes.

10. You refuse to learn to become a good receiver as well as a good giver.

11. You have never learned to be effectively and appropriately assertive.

12. You have not learned to express your anger in a healthy, honest fashion.

13. You have not learned to be self-nurturing except with food.

14. You are excessively self-critical.

15. You refuse to take responsibility for your life.

16. You resist learning to love yourself.

17. You resist learning to love your body before it is thin.

18. You have not faced your inner fears of being thin.

19. You are certain that spirituality (a connection to a force greater than you) is irrelevant to weight loss.

20. You think you can lose significant weight without the support of others.

21. You have deep emotional wounds that you refuse to explore and heal.

22. You are not prepared to have weight be an issue that you will have to face each and every day for the rest of your life.

OK, now you have some incredibly important information about yourself and the things that are blocking your weight loss.

You now have a choice. You can get depressed and go into avoidance or denial, or you can choose to make a renewed and informed commitment to your growth and well-being.

The decision you make could change your life and your body for good!