Why Can’t I Lose Weight? 5 Medical Conditions That Might Be Holding You Back

You’re eating better, moving more, doing all the right things—but the scales just won’t budge. Sound familiar? At Ready Health Private Medical Clinic in Standish, we often meet people feeling stuck and frustrated by stubborn weight.

Sometimes, there’s a medical reason behind it. Let’s look at five conditions that could be making weight loss harder than it should be.

1. Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)

Your thyroid controls your metabolism. When it’s underactive, everything slows down—including weight loss.

Symptoms: Fatigue, cold hands and feet, dry skin, low mood, weight gain.

A simple blood test can check your thyroid levels, and treatment can help rebalance things.

2. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects many women and can make it harder to lose weight.

Symptoms: Irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, and weight gain around the middle.

Managing PCOS involves lifestyle changes, medication, and hormone balancing.

3. Insulin Resistance

We’ve covered this in more depth in another blog—but insulin resistance is a big barrier to weight loss. Your body stores more fat, especially around your belly, and you feel hungrier more often.

Symptoms: Tiredness, sugar cravings, brain fog, and difficulty losing weight.

4. Depression or Anxiety

Mental health plays a huge role in physical health. Both depression and anxiety can affect your eating habits, sleep, and motivation to exercise.

Sometimes medications used to treat these conditions can also affect weight.

5. Sleep Apnoea

This sleep disorder causes breathing to stop and start during the night, which can leave you tired and slow your metabolism.

Symptoms: Loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and waking up with a headache.

What Can You Do?

First, know that it’s not your fault. Your body might just need a different approach. At Ready Health Clinic, we can check for these underlying conditions and offer tailored support that actually works.

There’s no one-size-fits-all plan—but there is a plan for you.