Are You Committing These Weight Loss Mistakes ?
Losing weight is in itself difficult, but a lot of people make it even more difficult by committing these critical mistakes:
1. Expecting too much too soon.
Expecting to see weight loss too soon is an extremely common diet goal. A lot of people set themselves up for derailment and failure by expecting to see great changes in their weight in a short period of time. Realistic goal setting should be a central part of a weight loss regimen. You should remember that you have not piled up that amount of weight overnight, so naturally, you won’t be losing it overnight either. Most experts would say that expecting to lose a pound or two per week is just right.
2. Being overly restrictive with their diet.
Food is a crucial element in weight loss. One cannot possibly lose weight without reducing the amount of calories they consume or as they say, going on a diet. However, going a very restrictive diet that involves drastic calorie reduction and total elimination of certain foods can be counterproductive. Too little food intake (i.e., caloric intake of less than 50% of what your body requires) slows down the metabolism; while elimination of certain types of food can give rise to cravings and overeating. There is no need for such drastic measures to lose weight, the key to effective weight loss is portion control and smart food choices.
3. Relying on weight loss supplements.
The weight-loss industry has become a multi-billion dollar industry, all thanks to people who have the “quick fix” mentality. A lot of people make the huge mistake of believing the grand promises of dubious supplements and over-the-counter diet pills. Many of these supplements are ineffective and are just a total waste of money. If there are those that actually cause you to lose weight, the dangerous effects they pose to your health can be overwhelming.
4. Giving up too soon.
Falling off the weight loss track happens to everyone. With the difficulty of the entire weight loss process, setbacks are nothing unusual. But some people after skipping several workout sessions or after ditching healthy eating for a massive feast of high-calorie food lose the motivation to get back to their weight loss regimen. If you want to succeed with your plans to lose weight, you should get ready to meet failures and moments of weakness. Accept setbacks for what they are and find ways to overcome them and move forward.
5. Believing that going to the gym is a must.
A lot of people fail to lose weight because they never even get started. And among the most common reason is that they cannot afford a gym membership fee. Many people have this notion that losing weight entails going to the gym. If you are one who thinks the same, you should consider re-thinking that idea. To lose weight, you need to expend energy or burn off calories, and there are many ways to do that without going to the gym. Walking is one of the best exercises around and it’s virtually free. Aside from the fact that losing weight is a painstaking and will-testing endeavor, many people dive into the weight loss bandwagon with very little knowledge of what losing weight entails; hence, many end up failing. If you are planning to embark on a weight loss journey, you might want to equip yourself with the above information so that you don’t sabotage your pound-dropping goals–like the common pitfalls of weight loss aspirants. Featured photo credit: Measuring Tape On Orange Background via Shutterstock
