Have you been on a diet pretty much your whole life but are not seeing the results you want? Whilst it may seem like you are doing everything right, many long-term dieters are inadvertently making mistakes that are placing all their hard work in jeopardy.
From not getting enough sleep to consuming the wrong amount of calories, here are five things that might be stopping you from achieving your weight loss goals.
1. Fixating on the Scales
When you first start a diet plan, it can take time for your body to adjust, which means you may not see weight loss on the scales right away. Most commonly, your weight will fluctuate for the first few days due to a combination of factors, including water retention and muscle gain.
Rather than fixate on the scales, which can wreak havoc with your emotions, it is a much better idea to measure your waist with a tape measure. You may also want to take weekly pictures of yourself to see how far you have come.
2. Not Getting Enough Sleep
If you are not getting enough sleep, this can make you feel much hungrier and make it harder for your body to regulate your appetite. It is recommended that you get between 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night, although some studies suggest that women may need a little bit more than this.
If you struggle to drift off at night, you may want to try essential oils such as lavender, have a warm bath, or try meditation techniques.
3. Eating Too Many or Too Few Calories
If you want to lose weight, you need to know exactly how many calories your body needs daily to function. Many dieters make the mistake of restricting their calorie intake too much, thinking that this will help them to lose weight faster. However, this can lead to muscle loss and dramatically lower your metabolic rate.
On the other hand, some people eat too many calories without realizing it, and this can also sabotage their weight loss efforts. If you always feel hungry and struggle to cut down on calories, you may want to consider weight loss injections in Creve Coeur, which are designed to suppress your appetite.
4. Not Focusing on Strength Training
Although cardiovascular exercises such as running and swimming can be great for weight loss, if you want to enjoy long-term success, you need to also incorporate strength training into your fitness regime.
In particular, weight lifting can be highly effective, helping you build muscle, which is much more effective at burning calories than fat.
5. Choosing Low-Fat Foods
Low-fat or diet foods appeal to many people trying to lose weight as they enable you to eat all your favorite foods without feeling guilty. However, these types of foods are often high in sugar to make them taste better. They can also make you feel even hungrier, which may lead you to eat more of them, making their lower calorie content counterproductive.
Instead, it is a much better idea to get full-fat foods in small amounts, such as full-fat yogurt and cheese, as then you know exactly how much you are consuming and what you are putting into your body.
