Losing weight is a challenge that many people face. According to the Boston Medical Center, an estimated 45 million Americans go on a diet every year.
Sadly, a lot of people find themselves trying hard to lose weight but not succeeding, or finding the results do not last. There are many reasons for this, and some are incredibly common. Losing weight is a challenge, and with any challenge, there are obstacles that hold people back.
If you feel like you are one of these people, you might be following advice or plans that do not fit you or are outdated.
Here are some common mistakes when trying to lose weight:
Not talking to your doctor
Sometimes, it’s difficult to lose weight because of medical reasons. Even if you try, some conditions like thyroid disease, hormonal imbalance, or depression can make it hard to see results. Consult your doctor to find out medical explanations for your weight issue. You might need treatments such as medications or procedures to get your body to a healthier place. Also, it’s always best to talk to health professionals before going on any new diet or exercise plan.
Skipping meals
It is easy to think that not eating will help you lose weight, but it is the opposite. Being hungry can cause you to make unhealthy food choices and make it harder to lose weight. One of the tips in ‘9 Helpful Tips for Creating a Meal Plan for Weight Loss’ is to set aside time to create your meal plan and prepare your meals so that you never have to be unprepared and miss meals. Restricting yourself can lead to binging because your body will try to get satisfied when given the chance. WeightWatchers claim that weight loss plans should include not only your goals but also your food preferences. This way, you can reach your goals and still eat foods you like so you don’t feel deprived.
Focusing too much on exercise
Although exercise can help in weight loss, diet is important and has even been found to have more of an impact on losing weight. Also, too much or too strenuous exercise can be bad because it can be harder to sustain. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend spreading out at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity over the week and strengthening exercises twice a week.
Neglecting sleep and hydration
You might be forgetting other aspects such as getting enough rest and staying hydrated. In truth, these also help you to lose weight. Studies have shown that poor sleep is related to weight gain and poor diet choices. Dehydration can be taken by the body as a sign that it is hungry and cause you to reach for food instead. On the other hand, good quality sleep and water intake help you stay on track of your body’s real needs and increase your metabolic rate, so you lose weight faster.
Not keeping track
Not monitoring what you eat and your schedule for exercise can make it easy to slip into the habit of forgetting and eventually not being able to sustain the plans you have to help you lose weight. Activity and food tracking help keep you on top of your goals and progress. Keeping a journal of what you ate side by side with your meal plan helps you see how you are doing in terms of nutrition. Available activity gadgets and trackers like MyFitnessPal can help you monitor your activity and, at the same time, also serve to remind you to move throughout the day.
As you make changes to your plan for weight loss, don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Losing weight takes time, and you have to keep going so that you not only reach your goals but also able to have a healthier lifestyle for good.
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