How to Lose Weight

6 Ways Your Neighborhood is Making You Fat

No sidewalks, bike paths, or parks in sight? Where you live may be widening your waistline
By Diana Kelly prevention
 

Is Your Neighborhood Making You Gain?

6 Ways Your Neighborhood is Making You Fat // 6 Ways Your Neighborhood is Making You Fat fat person with suitcases © Thinkstock

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You might blame your weight gain on your lack of motivation, wavering willpower, and a few too many bad food decisions. Don't get us wrong; those things matter. But there's another culprit you should also consider: your neighborhood. Whether you make your home in the suburbs, a city, or a rural area, where you live can make it easier—or much harder—to put your weight loss goals into action.

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Maybe a lack of sidewalks and bike paths leaves you scratching your head over where to work out. Perhaps your area is short on grocery stores but packed with fast-food chains, or your neighbor’s car alarm keeps you up all night, derailing your early-morning jog. Tally up a few of these instances and you could have a hometown problem that’s interfering with even the best weight loss intentions.

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“In my experience it makes a huge difference where you live. Everyone can find a way to overcome their circumstances, but people who live in the suburbs where there aren’t sidewalks and are dependent on their cars have a very difficult time getting exercise in. And in my practice, I find that they are more likely to be overweight,” Katherine Tallmadge, RD, author of Diet Simple: 195 Mental Tricks, Substitutions, Habits & Inspirations.

Here are the biggest neighborhood pitfalls that contribute to belly bulge—and how, short of moving homes, you can make fixes to start dropping pounds again.

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