This is another in the series of posts about questions I receive from readers.

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My weight has gone up and down on my way to 180 lbs. It hasn’t been all loss; there have been times when my weight has gone up by as much as 6 lbs before I get to a new low. It has to do with many factors, as our bodies are very complicated.

Water. Our bodies are made up mostly of water, and our weight will fluctuate quite a bit based on our water content. Women tend to store up more liquid during different times throughout their menstrual cycle which can cause greater fluctuations in weight than in men. However, I have noticed that if I eat salty foods, my weight will go up for a day or so.

Food. There are times (like on Labor Day weekend) when I eat all Paleo food, but lots of it. In this case, there’s just a lot of food in me; more than normal. Eating more calories will cause our body to store excess energy, and this is why portion control is just as important as what you eat. After that weekend, I had to eat very normal (small) portions to get back to making progress with my weight loss.

Bowel movements. I tend to eat more proteins and fats than vegetables and fiber, so I find myself often “filled up” with stool. Depending on my diet, I sometimes can go for four or even five days without a bowel movement, and even then, the bowel movement can be very small. I’ve resorted recently to taking laxatives to help with this, although it’s not the best solution. As I get to my target weight, I will ensure I eat more fiber and greens.

Sleep. This is the most overlooked factor in weight loss. The body loses its weight while you sleep. There’s a lot written about how and why, but the Reader’s Digest version is that you need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night to lose weight sufficiently. I definitely notice a lack of weight loss when I am not getting enough quality sleep. Make the time to get sleep to ensure you’re getting the most out of your diet and exercise.

Physical activity. This is a factor, albeit surprisingly, not the most important. Losing weight relies more on your diet than physical activity, although physical activity can offset nutrition that is not as strict as my Paleo diet. It comes down to a balance, and it’s up to you to find and accept that balance for the long haul.

Drugs. Some drugs make it difficult to lose weight. If you are taking prescription medication, you may want to consult a physician to determine what is best for you if you are trying to lose weight safely.

Genetics. This is an area we have little to no control over. Your body is different from mine, and what you do to lose weight may be different than what I did, but the six factors above this one will greatly impact your progress and rate of loss.

There are more factors involved, to be sure, but the seven above account for, what I believe, are the most important. Of those seven, six are within your control.