But What If You’re Doing Everything Right and the Scale Still Won’t Move?

This is where things get really interesting. I have clients who are eating well, moving their bodies, strength training, and doing everything they believe they should be doing, yet the number on the scale simply refuses to budge. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when we have been conditioned to believe that if we are doing everything right, the weight should automatically come off.

But the human body is far more complicated than calories in and calories out.

Stress is one piece of the puzzle. When we are under chronic stress, cortisol remains elevated, and this can influence blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, appetite, sleep and where the body tends to store fat. Poor sleep can add another layer because it affects the hormones involved in hunger, satiety and recovery. Inflammation can also influence how the body functions metabolically and can contribute to changes in fluid balance, making the scale even more misleading.

This is why I sometimes tell my clients, "Your body is not fighting you. It is communicating with you."

If you are eating well and exercising consistently but nothing seems to be changing, perhaps the answer isn't to eat even less and exercise even more. Perhaps it is time to look deeper. Are you sleeping? Are you recovering from your workouts? Are you under constant stress? Are you digesting and absorbing your food properly? Are your blood sugar levels well regulated? Are there other factors affecting your metabolism?

This is also why I don't want women becoming obsessed with the scale. You can be losing inches, gaining muscle, improving your strength and changing your body composition while the number barely changes.

The scale sees one number.

It doesn't see your muscle, your strength, your hormones, your sleep, your stress levels, your inflammation or the incredible changes happening inside your body.

So if you're doing all the right things and the scale isn't moving, don't immediately assume that you're failing. Do the checklist . How are your clothes fitting ? How are you feeling ? How are you sleeping ? 

Look deeper. Your body is giving you information.

Frances Michaelson