Many people have trouble losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle after they’ve shed pounds. Why is this?

Losing weight is a long-term process that requires commitment, dedication, and a strong support system. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to improve your chances of success.

1. You’re genetically programmed to store fat.

There’s a gene that you’re born with, that makes you store fat instead of burn it. It’s a genetic flaw that causes people to gain weight, and contributes to diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Now scientists have discovered how to change it – and turn your fat cells into fat burning cells, so you can lose weight. Using CRISPR-Cas9, they tinkered with the FTO gene variant that controls this function in fat cells, and found that it could be reversed. This may make it possible to treat obesity in the future. And it may also help explain why fat is found differently across different populations.

2. You’re stressed.

Your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol when you are under pressure or threatened. These hormones increase your heart rate, cause your muscles to tense and your skin to become irritated. They’re normal responses to stressful situations, but if you’re constantly under stress, these hormones will stay in your bloodstream and start to have negative effects.

Symptoms of chronic stress can include sleep problems, weight gain, poor appetite and emotional problems. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, seek help from a health professional to find out why you are feeling this way and to put a plan in place for managing your stress.

One in five GP visits are related to mental health issues, including stress, anxiety and depression. You should get help to deal with stress before it gets worse or becomes chronic.

The type of stress you’re under can also affect your ability to lose weight. Acute stress – such as when you are under pressure at work or have money problems – often means you’ll feel tired and have poor energy levels.

Acute stress may also cause you to eat more food than usual, leading to weight gain. This can lead to unhealthy changes in your metabolism, making it harder to lose weight.

You can reduce the amount of stress you feel by learning to manage your time, avoiding certain people and finding ways to relax. However, if these strategies aren’t working, you should see your doctor to find out what’s causing you stress and to develop new coping mechanisms.

The good news is that most of the time, you can manage your stress. You just have to take the time to identify what’s causing it and make the necessary changes.

3. You’re addicted to food.

Food addiction is a relatively new term that describes the loss of control over your eating habits and the inability to stop eating certain foods. It’s a mental condition that can affect your relationships, social life and even your health.

The science of food addiction is not yet completely understood, but it is believed that consuming highly palatable foods (foods rich in fat and/or sugar) can trigger chemical reactions in the brain comparable to that of drugs. These reactions elicit the same reward centers as drug addiction does and may cause you to become dependent on the sensation of pleasure induced by these foods.

Some scientists believe that genetics play a role in susceptibility to food addiction. They have found that some people are more prone to developing this disorder than others.

If you think that you have a problem with your eating habits, it is important to seek professional help. This could be from a specialist or support group.

Overcoming your food addiction is not easy, and it can take time and patience. However, once you have a plan and support system, it is possible to overcome this disorder.

You can start by making healthier choices that will improve your overall health and prevent disease. These include choosing whole, healthy foods that are low in calories and fat.

These can be vegetables and fruit, lean meats, fish and poultry, whole grains and low-fat dairy. A healthy diet will also include enough protein, vitamins and minerals.

If you think you might have a food addiction, it is important to seek out professional help as soon as possible. This will allow you to heal and get back to your healthy self.

4. You’re not motivated.

It’s difficult to stick to a healthy eating and exercise routine when you’re not motivated. Sometimes you just need a bit of extra support from friends or family to keep you going, especially when things get tough. You also need to be realistic with your goals – if you set yourself too many unrealistic ones, the motivation will soon deflate.

Sustained weight loss has a variety of health benefits, including reduced risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and high cholesterol. In a study conducted on overweight participants, individuals who lost at least 5-10 percent of their body weight were 22 percent less likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which is associated with an increased risk of several chronic diseases. Those who lost more than 20 percent of their weight also benefited significantly. In addition, a small, consistent loss of weight can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions.