Shedding pounds can be a daunting task, and it often seems that no matter how much effort we put in, the scales refuse to move.
ITV‘s Dr Amir Khan has offered some insight into why this might be happening. In an informative Instagram video, he introduced his audience to the “Set Point Theory” – a scientific principle that explains why some people find weight loss difficult.
Despite maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise regime, you may not see the results you’re hoping for. If your weight loss journey is causing you frustration, Dr Amir comforted his followers by saying it “might not be your fault”.
He disclosed a simple reason why the weight might not be dropping as anticipated, despite your best attempts. Dr Amir explained: “The thing that lots of people don’t recognise is that obesity is a complex disease. It changes the way the body functions.
“It changes the way you metabolise food, and it changes the way your hormones work as well and anyone living with obesity will tell you that losing weight, or sustaining weight loss, can be very challenging.”
He added: “Now science explains this with the Set Point Theory. It says your body mounts a defence, or works against your weight loss efforts. Basically, it fights to keep your weight on, and it thinks it’s doing you a favour.
“It’s an evolutionary thing, which isn’t very useful anymore, because historically starvation has always been our greatest threat. Food wasn’t always accessible as it is now so our bodies adapted to protect us from starvation.”
Our bodies are hardwired to resist weight loss – a survival trait inherited from our ancestors’ days of famine, explains Dr Amir. He points out that we have a “set point” which aims to keep our weight stable, creating a “vicious cycle” that can be challenging to break.
However, Dr Amir assures it’s possible to retrain your body to feel secure and healthy, paving the way for weight loss. His advice is to eat nutrient-dense foods, such as whole foods, lean proteins and a variety of plant-based options, rather than severely restricting calories.
Regular exercise is vital too, but he warns against losing too much muscle mass. Combining cardio with strength training is recommended by Dr Amir to preserve muscle, which is crucial for health and aiding fat loss over time.
He also highlights the significance of good sleep for overall health. Since being posted, the video has attracted over 8,000 views and numerous comments, with many viewers appreciating Dr Amir’s straightforward and accessible advice.
A commenter expressed: “Honestly Dr Khan, you are one of a few medical professionals that actually explain things in a completely user friendly way.”
Another gushed: “Love your explanations for everything. Is there anything you don’t know about?” One more wrote: “That has to be the most well explained post about weight loss I’ve seen in my whole life!”
The NHS recommends around 2,500 calories daily for men and 2,000 for women, advocating a balanced diet with a 600-calorie daily reduction for those eager to lose weight. This healthy eating plan should feature at least five portions of fruit and veg every single day, and include two servings of fish each week for those who eat seafood.