If you feel like you’ve done all the things but just keep gaining weight – then this is the episode for you. 

There’s a lot more than ‘eat less and exercise more’ (and does that even really work)? So today we are diving into the 5 reasons you haven’t lost weight yet, and trust me, these are more important than the food.

5 Reasons Your Weight Loss Journey is Stuck (and How to Unstick It)

Ah, weight loss. That mystical unicorn we’re all chasing. If you’ve been doing the whole eat-less-move-more thing and still feel like you’re going in circles, this one’s for you. Spoiler alert: it’s not all about the food. Let’s get into the real reasons you might be stuck in plateau-ville, starting with some much-needed tough love (and a sprinkle of wit).

1. Your Relationship with Food is, Well, Terrible

Imagine dating someone who’s either hot-and-cold or downright toxic. That’s your current relationship with food. One day, you’re the epitome of healthy eating: kale smoothies, perfectly portioned meals, the works. The next? Face-planting into a box of cookies like it’s your full-time job.

This all-or-nothing mindset isn’t just exhausting—it’s unsustainable. The key? Learning to treat food like a partner you actually like. Find that middle ground where you eat to nourish your body but also indulge without spiraling into guilt-town. Bad days happen (hello, life), but they shouldn’t derail your entire relationship with food.

Takeaway: Stop dating food like it’s a toxic ex. Start building a healthy, consistent relationship with it—one meal at a time.

2. You’re Eating Things You Hate

Steamed broccoli again? How… exciting. If you’re forcing down bland meals you can barely tolerate because you think you should eat them, you’re setting yourself up for a rebellion.

Here’s the deal: food is meant to be enjoyed. If your diet is a never-ending parade of sad salads and plain chicken, you’re eventually going to snap—and that’s when the pint of Ben & Jerry’s will start calling your name.

Reality Check: Not every meal will be fireworks and rainbows. But if you’re not enjoying at least some of what you eat, it’s time to mix it up. Life’s too short to hate your lunch.

3. You’re Stressed AF (and Not Managing It)

Stress: the uninvited guest that messes up everything, including your weight loss goals. Whether it’s traffic, work deadlines, or the toddler who just spilled juice on your white couch, your body reacts the same way—with fight-or-flight mode.

And guess what? Chronic stress means elevated cortisol levels, which tell your body to hold onto weight like it’s hoarding toilet paper in 2020.

Fix It: Stress management isn’t optional. Find what works for you—whether it’s yoga, screaming into a pillow, or aggressively petting your dog. The calmer your body feels, the more likely it’ll stop holding onto that stubborn weight.

4. Food is Your Only Source of Happiness

Listen, food is amazing. (Have you ever had warm chocolate chip cookies straight out of the oven? Bliss.) But if it’s the only thing sparking joy in your life, that’s a problem.

When food becomes your sole happy place, it’s easy to overdo it. A pint of ice cream doesn’t stay a pint—it snowballs into pizza, chips, and whatever’s lurking in the back of your pantry.

Pro Tip: Find happiness in other areas. It doesn’t have to be big. Maybe it’s binge-watching trashy reality TV, going for a walk, or starting that hobby you’ve been putting off. The more joy you find outside the fridge, the less you’ll rely on it for comfort.

5. You’re Not Listening to Your Body (Or Worse, Ignoring It)

Listening to your body is like learning a new language—it takes practice. Hunger, fullness, emotional cravings—they all have their signals, but most of us are too busy following food rules to hear them.

Here’s the kicker: even if you can hear your body’s cues, you have to actually honor them. Hungry at 10 a.m.? Eat. Feeling full but tempted to finish that plate? Don’t. Your body knows what it needs, but your brain likes to overthink it.

The Goal: Learn to trust your body. It’s not your enemy—it’s just been drowned out by years of diet culture noise.

The Bottom Line

Weight loss isn’t just about food. It’s about your mindset, your habits, and yes, your happiness. Fixing your relationship with food, managing stress, and finding joy outside of eating are game-changers. And when you finally tune into what your body actually needs, weight loss becomes less of a battle and more of a side effect.

So, ready to ditch the roller coaster and start cruising? Your body—and your sanity—will thank you.

Follow me for daily tips on Instagram! @kellylwellness

Are you ready to stop overeating and finally be in control around food? Watch my FREE training How to Stop Binge Eating (Without Cutting Out Your Favorite Foods) to learn how it’s possible!