Top 5 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight—Even with Diet and Exercise

Introduction

You’ve cut the calories. You’re hitting the gym. You’re doing “everything right.” And yet… the scale won’t budge.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Weight loss resistance is one of the most common frustrations we see in our practice—and it’s also one of the most misunderstood. The old equation of “calories in, calories out” doesn’t tell the whole story.

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we take a root-cause approach to metabolism using functional medicine. When your body is inflamed, imbalanced, or hormonally out of sync, it will resist weight loss—even with your best efforts.

In this blog, we’ll break down the top 5 hidden reasons you’re not losing weight and show you what you can do to finally start seeing results.

1. Hormonal Imbalances Are Disrupting Your Metabolism

Hormones are your body's chemical messengers, and even small imbalances can have a huge impact on your weight. The most common culprits include:

Cortisol (Stress Hormone)

Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which:

  • Increases belly fat storage
  • Triggers sugar cravings
  • Breaks down muscle tissue
  • Disrupts sleep and insulin sensitivity

If you’re stuck in “fight or flight” mode, your body holds onto fat as a survival mechanism.

Insulin

High insulin levels (often from insulin resistance or poor blood sugar control) prevent your body from burning fat. Instead, insulin tells your body to store fat, especially around the midsection.

Thyroid Hormones

Your thyroid controls your metabolic rate. If you have low T3 or a sluggish thyroid—even with a normal TSH—you may feel tired, cold, constipated, and struggle to lose weight.

Sex Hormones (Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone)

Estrogen dominance or low testosterone levels can lead to:

  • Increased fat storage
  • Decreased muscle mass
  • Slower metabolism
  • Water retention and bloating

💡 Functional medicine testing looks beyond standard labs to assess free hormone levels, metabolites, and hormone ratios.

2. Your Body Is Inflamed and Stressed

Inflammation is a major—yet silent—driver of weight gain and resistance. When your body is inflamed, it becomes less sensitive to hormones like insulin and leptin (your “fullness” hormone), and your cells struggle to metabolize nutrients efficiently.

Common sources of chronic inflammation include:

  • Processed foods and sugar
  • Food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, soy, etc.)
  • Leaky gut or gut dysbiosis
  • Toxin exposure (pesticides, BPA, mold)
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Hidden infections

You might be eating healthy and exercising, but if your body is inflamed, it may hold onto weight as a protective response.

3. You Have Nutrient Deficiencies That Are Slowing Your Metabolism

Even with a clean diet, you may be missing key nutrients your body needs to burn fat, build muscle, and balance hormones.

Common nutrient deficiencies that sabotage weight loss:

  • Vitamin D – impacts insulin sensitivity and hormone balance
  • Magnesium – essential for energy production and blood sugar regulation
  • Iron – low ferritin can cause fatigue and reduce physical performance
  • B Vitamins – critical for energy, detox, and thyroid function
  • Zinc – needed for thyroid hormone conversion and appetite control
  • Omega-3s – reduce inflammation and support fat metabolism

If you’re tired, cold, or recovering poorly from workouts, nutrient imbalances could be slowing you down.

4. You're Exercising Too Much (or Not the Right Way)

Yes, too much exercise can backfire—especially when combined with calorie restriction. Overtraining raises cortisol and depletes nutrients, leading to:

  • Fatigue and muscle loss
  • Sleep disruption
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Slowed metabolism

On the other hand, not enough resistance training can also stall weight loss. Muscle is metabolically active, and increasing your lean muscle mass helps burn more calories at rest.

Instead of overdoing cardio, focus on:

  • Strength training 3–4 times per week
  • Short bursts of high-intensity interval training (HIIT)
  • Daily movement (walking, stretching, standing)
  • Adequate recovery days and sleep

5. You're Not Sleeping or Recovering Enough

Sleep is where your body:

  • Regulates hormones like leptin, ghrelin, and cortisol
  • Repairs tissue and builds muscle
  • Restores insulin sensitivity
  • Detoxifies and processes inflammation

If you’re sleeping less than 7 hours—or your sleep quality is poor—it can sabotage even the cleanest diet.

Signs your sleep is affecting weight loss:

  • Craving sugar and caffeine
  • Feeling hungrier throughout the day
  • Low morning energy
  • Poor exercise recovery
  • Mood swings or brain fog

Prioritizing sleep and stress recovery is often the missing link in stubborn weight loss cases.

How Functional Medicine Solves Weight Loss Resistance

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we specialize in uncovering the real reasons behind your weight plateau.

We Use Comprehensive Testing to Evaluate:

  • Full thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, reverse T3, antibodies)
  • Cortisol rhythm (saliva or urine testing)
  • Insulin, fasting glucose, A1C
  • Hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA)
  • Micronutrient testing
  • Inflammation markers (hs-CRP, homocysteine)
  • Stool testing to assess gut function and detox capacity

Then We Build a Personalized Plan That Includes:

  • Nutritional strategies based on your biochemistry
  • Anti-inflammatory and hormone-balancing supplements
  • Customized fitness plan based on your metabolism and recovery
  • Stress and sleep optimization protocols
  • Root-cause detoxification support

This holistic approach leads to sustainable, healthy weight loss—not crash diets or short-term fixes.

Final Thoughts

If you’re eating clean, exercising regularly, and still not seeing results, you’re not broken—and it’s not your fault.

Weight loss resistance is a sign that something deeper is going on. By identifying the root cause and supporting your body where it needs help, you can finally overcome the plateau and feel like yourself again—stronger, leaner, and more energized.

Frustrated by stubborn weight despite doing everything “right”? Schedule a functional medicine consultation today and uncover the missing pieces to your weight loss puzzle.

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