Few things can be more annoying than when a person makes earnest efforts to lose weight and the weight just doesn't seem to shift an inch! The tendency is often to quit and take life as one sees it. But that may not necessarily be the wisest thing to do. At least you embarked on the weight-loss program for well-thought out reasons. Maybe it was to get in shape, to feel better, or maybe it was even for a more critical goal like reversing or reducing a health risk. Whatever your reason, your desire to lose weight is both commendable and achievable.

So why are your efforts not yielding desired results? Could it be that you're not dutifully following the exercise and diet regimen? Maybe not. Very likely, you've actually been exercising faithfully and sticking to a prescribed diet. The reasons for the poor results may lie somewhere in-between. There are a number of reasons why your weight-loss strategy may not be yielding expected results. Consider the following recent revelations.

The Role Of Biology: Dr. The David Ludwig, an Obesity researcher at Harvard university school of medicine states that a person's genetic make-up and insulin can play a role in stubborn weight issues. In his study involving 73 obese patients, Ludwig found that people who secreted insulin at slow rates appear to lose weight equally well when placed on either a low-fat or a low-glycemic diet. But those who secreted insulin at a much higher rate clearly lost five times more weight on a low-glycemic diet.

In low-glycemic diets, carbohydrate diets like white flour, white potatoes and white rice are replaced with alternatives like whole grain meals. Could it be that unknown to you, slow insulin secretion is playing a part in your weight loss frustration? Well, if you suspect you have an insulin problem, it is best to visit your doctor for clear diagnosis.

Thyroid-Related Problems: What if a weight-loss diet program that previously worked well no longer delivers the results? Or what if you discovered that you've gained weight unexpectedly? Your thyroid levels may be the culprit. According to a report by the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service, a thyroid disorder known as hypothyroidism can cause puzzling weight gains.

Some 5% of the US population is believed to be suffering from this condition. Hypothyroidism occurs when a person's thyroid gland produces far too little hormone. Besides causing weight gains, this can also lead to frequent fatigue, sensitivity to cold as well as depression. Again, your doctor is in the best place to have your thyroid checked if you've experienced any of these symptoms, especially if a diet plan that previously worked for you appears to have become ineffective.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: This one particularly pertains to women. If you're a woman and you're having trouble losing weight, it could be that you're suffering from PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). It affects about 1 out of every 10 women in the United States, mostly women of reproductive age. In addition to weight gain, other symptoms of this condition include irregular menstruation, excess facial hair as well as acne.

According to GirlsHealth.com, PCOS is caused by excess insulin which often leads to hormonal imbalance. It can be treated with drugs which regulate these hormones. Women suffering from this are advised to eat multiple small meals per day which should be high-fiber carbohydrates meals and those high in protein.

But before exploring these other causes it's good to first look inward. Yes, it's possible that your failure to lose weight is due to the fact that you're not exercising vigorously enough or frequently enough in addition to eating the right meals consistently. It is only after you have honestly eliminated these other possible causes that you should look into the other culprits listed above.