Losing weight and getting in shape can be frustrating at times. Sometimes we feel like giving up when it seems like we're working so hard and just aren't seeing the results we want to see. Read below for the top 5 reasons that you may not be losing weight.

1. You're drinking too many calories

Drinking alcohol, juice, and coffee drinks can make it tough to lose weight. The average alcoholic drink has between 100-300 calories. Juice is around 100 calories and the average latte is 100-250 calories depending on size and milk choices. If you're really trying to lose weight and cut calories, try opting for black coffee or unsweetened tea. You will get used to not having the sweetness. Give your tastebuds time to adjust.

2. You're gaining muscle

Most people don't consider this when starting a new fitness plan. While you're burning more calories, your body is also developing new muscle mass and as the old saying goes, muscle weighs more than fat! I encourage you to take measurements and get your body fat checked so that you can see results even if those results are not seen on the scale.

3. Your diet sucks

This one is pretty self-explanatory. You cannot compensate for a bad diet by working out more. It just doesn't work. Ideal body composition is only obtained when you eliminate or cut back on fried and processed foods. Stick to unprocessed food as much as possible and try tracking your macros so you can see exactly what you're putting into your body. I recommend the MyFitnessPal app because the database of food they have is incredible and you can set calorie and macro goals to suit your needs.

4. You're not pushing yourself

We all go through times when we feel less than motivated to get to the gym and get our workout in. Read more on my post - Getting & Staying Motivated. Even if you manage to get to the gym every day, you still may find yourself hitting plateaus at times. One thing that helps me is switching things up. You have to keep your body guessing. If you typically only weight train, try adding some cardio. The most effective cardio I've found is the dreaded Stairmaster. We all hate it, but the results are unparalleled. Add 30-40 minutes of stairs at the end of your workout 3 times a week and watch what happens!

5. Your hormones are imbalanced

This is the one reason for not losing weight that isn't really your fault. If all attempts have been made to lose weight and still you are seeing no results, I encourage you to see your primary care and ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. These doctors specialize in hormones and may be able to give you more detailed information about what's going on with your body.