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Ever go on a diet to lose weight and the scale doesn't budge? Working out, eating sensibly not working? Here are our top reasons why the battle of the bulge is being lost:

1. Cheat much? Being too militant with a diet often leads to binge eating making you less likely to stick to your diet over time. Give yourself a break and reward yourself once in a while or you might fall off the wagon and head for the ice cream truck.

2. Erratic eating. It's sometimes hard to eat at regular times, especially if you're juggling many responsibilities at a time that can often cause weight loss plans to stop working.

3. Hypothyroidism. Your metabolism can slow down if your thyroid levels decrease leading to your body storing fat. There are some great thyroid supplements that can help you kickstart your thyroid into high gear again.

4. Insulin resistance. Higher blood sugar levels result into a metabolic dysfunction called Syndrome X. If you think you may be insulin resistant, go see a medical professional for a simple test to determine your blood sugar levels.

5. Liquids have calories too. We often count calories in our meals but not in our drinks such as coffee, smoothies, alcohol, soft drinks, juices, cream that can make or break a diet.

6. Not sleeping enough. If you're not getting the ZZZZZs, it can negatively affect your cortisol levels that regulate your appetite which can contribute to weight gain. Make sure to get 8 hours of sleep a night.

7. Need more protein. Consuming protein helps you feel full longer while boosting your metabolism. Protein requires more energy to digest which results in fewer total net calories. Add a couple of protein shakes throughout the day to keep the fat away.

8. Pack on muscle. If you're working out, you may be putting on weight. Muscle weighs more than fat so if you're pumping the iron, the scale may indicate that you're heavier. Use a mirror to gauge your progress.

9. Stressed out? Stress increases cortisol production, a hormone that can increase appetite and make you store fat. Take a stress relief time-out by going for a brisk walk, meditating and breathing deeply or listening to your favorite tunes.

10. You're not eating enough. Eat more food to lose weight. Really? Skipping meals slows your metabolism down and your body stores fat instead of metabolizing it to lose weight. Eat small meals 5-6 times a day and you'll see the weight come off.

The battle of the bulge can be daunting, frustrating, and downright scary. Stay patient (it doesn't happen overnight!), follow the above tips while eating sensibly and exercising regularly and you'll be working your way down to a smaller dress size. Good luck!