Why can’t you loose weight? That’s a loaded question to ask an African American woman and in certain environments, you’d better be careful what tone of voice you use. There just might be a reason you can’t get rid of those extra pounds.

Let’s take a look at what happens when you can’t lose the weight even when you “think” you’re doing all the right things. There are two factors that come into play and can hinder your ability to shed those extra pounds. Genes and hormones, they are the culprits.

Genes are who we are and where we come from. If you have a genetic makeup that makes you predisposed to weight gain no matter what you do, you’ll have to approach weight loss with a different plan of action.

The way you eat and what you eat will be key. No two bodies are the same, so take this information as a general approach. When I consulted a nutritionist and personal trainer, they both agreed that a 1500-calorie per day eating plan along with a 30 to 60 minute exercise routine would be a great place to start.

In your exercise plan, weight training and cardio are both important. Weight training doesn’t have to mean lifting a 100 pounds and cardio doesn’t have to mean running 5 miles a day.

Lightweights with more repetition can often be better than heavy weights with less. Cardio certainly can take on a new twist. A morning swim, an afternoon walk and a night of Salsa dancing are a great way to get your cardio in on a regular basis.

Hormones – Oh God, hormones. Have you ever experienced an urge from within to eat, no matter how hard you resist? It’s highly possible that your hormones have been kicked into overdrive from Stress and Imbalance.

You all know that premenopausal women can naturally have a pattern of gaining weight because the estrogen is sending any excess calories to be stored in your hips and thighs as fat. However this does not necessarily make you gain weight. If you don’t take action Now to prevent the fat from taking up residency, you’ll be in trouble because the weight will come.

The key is learning how to keep your hormones balanced. Your hormones control your metabolism and when your hormones are not balanced, fat will find a way to make a home in your belly, thighs, hips and butt.

A healthy eating plan is crucial! Eliminate processed foods, white sugars, white flour, white rice … you get the point. The only thing that you should have white is a few white shirts/blouses as staples in your wardrobe and white linen for that summer party you’ll be attending this year.

Meditation to instill calmness is extremely important. Some people have not found a way to sit and meditate, I’m one of them. However, a nice long bath, with some essential oils, is how I’ve found a way to quiet my mind and have a tranquil space. My bathroom becomes my meditation room.

You can always go to the spa. I’m talking about one of those spa’s where you’re not rushed. You can be there for hours and it won’t cost you four arms and three legs. Treat yourself to a Hip Bath, a full body massage, and time in the steam room. You’ll come out feeling as though you’re floating on air. Don’t allow anyone to take this moment from you.

A few words on Stress: Don’t take stress lightly! For some people, stress can be debilitating. Learn to control your environment and the people that you allow into your space. That’s easier said than done, it can often be the ones closest to you in your household. Work on it, you’ll be glad you did.

As Always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care