Why Is It So Hard to Lose Weight? (And Why It’s Not Your Fault)

Have you ever met someone who seems effortlessly slim? They eat what they want, they don’t obsess over workouts, and they look like they just stepped off an Instagram shoot. And then there are others—maybe you’re one of them—who count every calorie, follow every workout plan, give it their all... and yet the weight won’t budge.

If that’s you, I want you to know: you’re not lazy, and you’re not imagining it. There are real, science-backed reasons why it’s harder for some people to lose weight than others—and I’m here to break it down for you.

Even the NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week for adults. Why not let that progress begin now? if you can: watch the video and you can hula hoop throughout! ✅

The Truth About “Effortlessly Slim” People

Some people genuinely have it easier. Their genetics gave them a head start, and their environment hasn’t made it harder. But for many of us, it’s an uphill battle. I know, because I’ve lived with hypothyroidism since childhood, and gaining weight is effortless for me—losing it is another story.

I also know this: being angry, fed up, and tired is valid. Many people who reach out to me feel that way, and I don’t blame them. But I also want to help them understand what’s really going on. Because what you often see online—those fitness models claiming you can eat donuts and get abs with a 7-minute workout—it’s marketing, not reality.

Honestly: even the NHS guidelines recommend 150minutes per week per person - NOT FOR A 6PACK! for survival! and the NHS is not famous for Spartan Workout Plans...

The Fitness Industry Wants You Frustrated

Here’s why you don’t hear the full story:

• Big companies spend millions hiring actors and AI-generated influencers to sell “easy fixes.”

• They create “personalized plans” that tell you what you want to hear—because that’s what makes you click.

• Real coaches and healthcare professionals—those working with real people and real results—don’t have billion-dollar ad budgets - so they became almost invisible because they cannot afford the sponsored ads and posts.

So when someone like me tells you that getting in shape takes hard work and patience… it’s not what people want to hear. But it’s the truth.

So Why Is It So Hard for You?

Let’s get to the real reasons. While you can’t change your genetics, there are two major, controllable factors that might be making things harder than they need to be:

1. Gut Dysbiosis

Your gut is home to trillions of microbes that help regulate digestion, immunity, and even body weight. When this ecosystem is out of balance—a condition called dysbiosis—it can contribute to inflammation, insulin resistance, and fat storage.¹

Factors that can increase your risk of dysbiosis include:

• Being born via C-section²

• Not being breastfed³

• Antibiotic use⁴

• Certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors or NSAIDs⁵

No, you can’t change how you were born or undo antibiotics you needed. But you can improve your gut health now. Start by seeing a qualified healthcare provider—there are stool tests that can reveal what’s happening in your gut flora. Emailing and commenting strangers online comes with zero: ABSOLUTELY ZERO poop samples 💩 - see your real life healthcare providers and poop for them.

Bonus Tip: You can start healing your gut naturally by consuming fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir, or kimchi.⁶ I personally love fermenting vegetables. It’s delicious and healing & SUPER CHEAP!

2. Being Undermuscled (a.k.a. "Skinny Fat")

Here’s something most people don’t realize: muscle is your metabolic engine. It burns calories even when you’re resting.⁷ If you’ve spent years dieting and doing endless cardio, chances are you’ve lost muscle—and a slower metabolism is the result.

This is common in women who’ve been taught to fear food and believe that smaller is always better. Unfortunately, chronic calorie restriction and excessive cardio lead to a catabolic state, where muscle is broken down instead of built.

Catabolism = Muscle loss = Slower metabolism = Weight gain

That’s why I focus on hypertrophy training— with hula hoops. My workouts are designed to build lean muscle, not burn you out. I alternate working sets with active recovery, all structured around time under tension—a key principle in muscle growth.⁸

And no, you won’t bulk up. It’s actually very hard to look like a bodybuilder unless you’re taking performance enhancers. You’ll just get stronger, leaner, and more metabolically active.

The Bottom Line: Fat Isn’t Evil, It’s a Signal

Fat is not your enemy—it’s your body’s way of communicating. It stores fat for a reason, just like it gives you a fever when you’re sick. Holding onto fat is your body’s notification that something is out of balance.

Whether it’s your gut, your muscle mass, or your stress levels, there’s always a root cause worth exploring.

Here's What You Can Do Today

1. Get curious, not critical. Ask why your body is holding onto weight. Don’t judge—investigate.

2. Check your gut. Ask your doctor about dysbiosis or consider a stool test.

3. Build muscle. Stop starving and start feeding your body with real nutrition and strength-focused movement.

4. Avoid catabolic habits. Replace punishing cardio with workouts that make you stronger—like hula hoop hypertrophy training.

5. Ignore the noise. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For some people, yes—it’s hard. It is hard for me, too! You are not alone - most people struggle THAT IS WHY THERE ARE SO MANY GYMS IN THE WORLD! If other people did not have to exercise hard to be in shape: the gyms would shut down! But lots of other people have to get sweaty daily, NOT JUST YOU 🫶 You are not lazy. You just haven’t had the right tools or the right support system… yet.

And now that you know more, you can do more.

Enjoy your hoop, feed your body, grow your muscle, and BOLDLY & UNAPOLOGETICALLY CONQUER ALL YOUR GOALS.

Scientific References:

1. Clarke, G. et al. (2014). The microbiome-gut-brain axis. Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience.

2. Dominguez-Bello, M.G. et al. (2010). Delivery mode shapes the acquisition and structure of the initial microbiota across multiple body habitats in newborns. PNAS.

3. Ho, N.T. et al. (2018). Meta-analysis of effects of exclusive breastfeeding on infant gut microbiota across populations. Nature Scientific Reports.

4. Jernberg, C. et al. (2010). Long-term impacts of antibiotic exposure on the human intestinal microbiota. Microbiology.

5. Jackson, M.A. et al. (2016). Proton pump inhibitors alter the composition of the gut microbiota. Gut.

6. Marco, M.L. et al. (2017). Health benefits of fermented foods: microbiota and beyond. Current Opinion in Biotechnology.

7. Wolfe, R.R. (2006). The underappreciated role of muscle in health and disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

8. Schoenfeld, B.J. (2010). The mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and their application to resistance training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.