Avoid making these mistakes and see your goals become a reality.
Everyone makes mistakes. When it comes to weight loss, it’s easy to fall into a few traps. What looks like a healthy choice could be swimming with destructive elements, ultimately derailing your attempt to shed pounds! Fortunately, awareness of these errors will set you back on track toward real, permanent weight loss. If you want to be on the road to a slimmer, fitter you, watch out for these 8 Common Weight Loss Mistakes.
8 Common Weight Loss Mistakes
1. Reaching for “Diet” Foods
Many people trying to lose weight opt for lower-calorie, fat-free versions of their favorite foods, thinking this “lighter” option will serve them well. Unfortunately, most diet foods compensate for their flavorless “diet” status by including loads of artificial chemicals and ingredients. These fake, overly-processed ingredients are far from clean or satisfying. At the same time, many people exposed to “lighter” foods end up eating more because they think they’re healthy choices. Approach with caution!
2. Not Consuming Enough Calories
Perhaps one of the most common, destructive weight loss mistakes to make is eating less calories than your body needs. Your body has a minimum calorie requirement to maintain basic functions like pumping blood and brain activity. You will enter a state of famine if you refuse to consume enough calories to support your body. As a result, this famine mode will train your body to hold onto every calorie you consume thereafter and slow your metabolic rate. Your body’s new low-calorie need will cause you to gain even more weight as soon as you stop starving yourself. Yikes!
3. Ditching Breakfast
They don’t call breakfast the most important meal of the day for nothing! If you want to see real results when you step on the scale, don’t do yourself the disservice of having a wimpy breakfast or skipping the meal altogether. Breakfast will jumpstart your metabolism, deliver energy to help you take on the day, and curb cravings later on. Eating breakfast nourishes and satisfies your body. As a result, you’re more likely to eat less throughout the day. For some nutrient-dense breakfast ideas, check out 5-Day Cleaning Eating Breakfast Menu or this delicious recipe for a Vanilla Quinoa and Roasted Blueberry Breakfast Bowl.
4. Cardio Only
Don’t commit the cardio-only crime! Although an intense aerobic sweat sesh might seem like a more effective, calorie-burning routine than lifting weights, numerous studies have proved that strength training can help you burn even more calories throughout the day after your workout. Opt for varying your exercises to benefit you in the long term. Distribute some cardio and weight lifting evenly when organizing your workout. This healthy habit will have you grinning from ear to ear the next time you step on the scale. Shed pounds while toning with this Lower Body Kettlebell Workout!
5. You’re Lifting, but Lifting Light
Do you include strength training in your everyday workout and wonder why you’re still not seeing results? You’re likely using weights that are simply too light and not making effective use of your time in the weight room. Instead of going down the light-weight, high-rep track, try heavier weights with fewer reps. This blasts calories and builds muscle that increases your metabolism in the long term. If you lift more, you lose more!
Jazz up your workout with the right music! Check out this Cardio and Weightlifting Playlist or Workout Songs to Get Your Body Moving.
6. Making Drastic Changes
Give your body a break! It isn’t built to undergo immediate, dramatic changes, and will respond by resisting. For example, it will feel threatened by dramatic drops in caloric intake and will enter preservation-mode as a result, gripping dearly onto every calorie you consume. Instead, make gradual and consistent changes that you and your body can handle. You’ll acclimate to your new lifestyle and won’t relapse after dropping a few pounds. Baby steps are key!
7. Depriving Yourself
Just because you want to lose weight doesn’t mean you have to give up everything delicious! When you have a super strong craving, don’t hesitate to acknowledge your desire instead of shutting it out entirely. Make room in your lifestyle to spoil yourself here and there with something indulgent. Treating yourself will keep your weight-loss journey from becoming miserable, and you’re less likely to manically cave and go overboard in the future. When you do indulge, arrange your treats mindfully. Scoop yourself some ice cream in a bowl instead of diving into the carton. Pour yourself chips instead of wolfing them down straight from the bag. These mindful habits will make all the difference – we promise!
If your sweet tooth is hankering for your attention, don’t worry about giving in every once in a while! Check out these articles for light, healthy, guilt-free desserts that will allow you to have your cake and eat it, too!
8. Too Much Protein
There’s no denying the importance of protein when you’re trying to lose weight. It strengthens your bones and muscles, fills you up, and jumpstarts your metabolism. But watch out! Overdosing on protein has adverse effects on your journey to a slimmer you. Excess protein gets stored as fat, which affects your body just like excess carbs do. Don’t fall victim to high-protein meal replacement shakes or bars, either – they’re loaded with sugar, fat, and other substances that interfere with your goals.
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