Basically, most weight loss programs depend on what you consume and your overall physical activities. Done right, this is very effective and will have long-lasting results.
So why are the scales not tipping in the right direction? What could you be doing wrong? Here is a list of 5 blunders that are making losing weight impossible and frustrating.
1. You Can’t Stop Looking At The Scales
We don’t blame you for wanting to know your progress, but you really can’t be stepping on the scales daily. It can be very frustrating if you remain diligent with your diet with no pleasing results to show for it.
However, it is essential to understand that losing weight is more than the figures reflecting on your scale. So instead, start focusing on the shape of your body and how clothes fit. Sometimes, the inches will reduce before the weight, especially when you’re using the best fat burners.
If anything, weight can be very versatile and fluctuate depending on certain factors you have no control over. For instance, hormonal fluxes may lead to increased fluid retention, which adds to your weight.
The scales are likely to remain stagnant for those working out because you’re losing fat but gaining mass. So cut yourself some slack and put away the scales for a minute. You don’t really need a losing weight calculator as much as you think you do.
2. You Are Invested In Low-Calorie And Low-Fat Foods
Naturally, the objective is to burn off more calories than you are consuming. So, a lot of people opt for diet foods or low-fat options. The general idea is to offer low calories but instead have the opposite results.
The reason is that low-fat foods contain processed sugar to enhance their taste. More so, these foods tend to make you hungrier, meaning you will snack and feed more.
Go for healthier whole foods or with less processing. If you must buy processed food, make sure you read through the labels and ingredients. This will ensure that you’re not serving yourself additives and sugars that will counter your weight loss efforts.
If anything, the best foods for losing weight contain healthy fats and fibers. However, even if they are beneficial, over-feeding will hurt your progress.
3. Dismissing The Sugars In The Drinks
You may be eating right and exercising religiously. Still, if your drinks remain laden with sugars and treats, you won’t be making much progress.
Refrain from fizzy and soft drinks since they contain a lot of refined sugars. Reduce the number of sweetened beverages you take, and if possible, refrain from using sugar.
Making your drinks at home is a good way of keeping count of the amount of processed sugar you consume. Drink water or unsweetened green tea instead, and it also helps reduce the feeling of hunger.
4. You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep
You may be sweating blood with your losing weight workout plans, but if your sleeping schedule is a mess, you won’t be getting any pleasing results. Scientifically, sleep deprivation directly results in gaining weight by interfering with your appetite and hunger hormones.
If you’re not getting enough sleep, your body will overproduce the hunger hormones, ghrelin. On the other hand, the secretion of the fullness hormone, leptin, reduces significantly. As such, you tend to feel hungrier often, meaning you eat more even though your body does not need the energy.
But that’s not all. The lesser hours you sleep, the more your body craves high-carbs and high-fat foods. The body is more impulsive in a tired state, and you’re likely to give in to cravings.
Learn how to start losing weight by practicing healthy sleeping habits. Stay away from screens a few hours before bedtime, such as phones and TVs. Ensure you sleep in a totally dark room to enhance the quality and quantity of your sleep.
If your lifestyle allows, you can recondition your circadian rhythm to sleep when it is dark out and waking at daybreak.
5. You Are Either Over-Exercising or Not Exercising Enough
Working out is an excellent option if you’re determined to losing weight fast. Nevertheless, just like the Olympics, you’re here for the gold, so you better be doing it right. Are you?
The best exercise for losing weight aims at increasing your metabolism, burn fats, and reduce the loss of lean mass.
This means that poor exercise routines result in reduced metabolism and increased loss of your lean mass, which is not good.
On the other hand, over-exercising not healthy since it might lead to injuries, and it’s not sustainable either.
If anything, pushing yourself too hard causes your body to produce adrenal hormones in lesser quantities. This hormone regulates how we respond to stress.
Conclusion
There are many benefits of losing weight, but they are only achieved through a healthy lifestyle. Weight loss journeys do not have to be frustrating, and all you have to do is take it easy on yourself.
Rather than seeking advice on the internet and social platforms, consult with your doctor or dietician. Which of these common mistakes are you guilty of?
Author’s Bio
Alex Green is a copywriter with 3 years of experience. He is fond of healthy living and knows everything about home improvement. In his spare time, Alex likes walking with his golden retriever, meeting with friends, and attending the gym.
