“It is really difficult to lose weight”, you must have heard many people repeatedly say that. Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows it isn’t an easy journey. The initial days of weight loss are the best as you’re losing more weight than your expectations. After the first few weeks, your weight loss process slows down. Even though you’re eating a balanced diet and working out, the number on the scale doesn’t seem to reduce. It can be extremely frustrating to watch your efforts fail to bear fruits.
Several common mistakes can be the reason behind your failed weight loss. It is a tough task to identify the correct choices from the long list of different weight loss methods. Luckily, we have a number of mistakes that you should avoid for a successful weight loss.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Breakfast sets the tone of your day, which is why it is called the ‘most important meal of the day.’ Skipping meals is a normal part of numerous trending diets, and eliminating breakfast is the easiest way to cut calories. However, it will not suppress your appetite.
After skipping breakfast, people usually end up consuming extra calories during lunch or indulging in unhealthy snacking. So, they eat the calories, or even more, that were missed through quitting breakfast. Breakfast is critical for following a long-term calorie-controlled diet.
Studies have shown that skipping breakfast can lead to metabolic impairment, as well, which can increase the risks of obesity. Metabolism determines the number of calories one burns at rest. A slow metabolism can result in a slowed down weight loss, as it is connected to burning calories.
Breakfast provides energy to the body, but a healthy breakfast contains essential nutrients that are required for bodily functions. Some people replace these nutrients with supplements, but it is crucial to understand the pros and cons of any product before using it. In Healthcanal.com/health/athletic-greens-review, there is a detailed review about such supplements you may need to know.
Leave Fad Diets
Fad diets include a wide range of diets that offer more disadvantages than advantages. They mainly consist of extreme calorie restriction and depriving the body of essential nutrients. Dieting is the major part of weight loss, so a calorie deficit is necessary to lose weight. However, completely removing certain food groups or eating less than 1500 calories is considered unhealthy.
For instance, many diets suggest eliminating carbohydrates from your meals, as they can increase blood sugar levels and lead to weight gain. While white bread and rice aren’t a wise choice for weight loss, they can’t be removed from your diet. Carbohydrates are used as an energy source, so eliminating them or any other food group can cause nutrient deficiencies. Instead of completely avoiding any food, look for healthy alternatives. Whole-grain pasta, bread, and rice are healthier than normal carbohydrates and provide the required nutrients.
Sleep Properly
Along with a healthy diet and exercise, sleep is equally important for weight loss. Everybody needs the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night to feel energized throughout the day.
Sleep deprivation is a common reason for obesity, as it releases hunger hormones to retrieve energy. When your body isn’t rested, it obtains energy from food sources by signaling your brain to eat. It can slow down your metabolism, as well, making your body experience a weight loss plateau. Lack of sleep releases the hunger hormones Ghrelin and Leptin, which increase your hunger and cravings.
Compromising on a few hours of sleep can ruin your weight loss plans, even if you’re eating healthy every day. Having a sleep schedule by sleeping and waking up at the same time regularly can help your body get enough sleep.
Say No to Sugary Drinks
Most Americans consume a large number of calories through their drinks. Whether it’s a heavily packed coffee or juices, they are all filled with sugar.
Calories consumed through liquid can easily be overlooked, but they have a huge impact on weight loss. Even drinking fruit juices should be avoided, as it deprives you of the pulp and skin of fruits. The added sugar can increase blood sugar levels, causing weight gain.
Water is the ideal drink for weight loss and overall health maintenance. It is essential for survival and helps prevent numerous diseases, such as kidney stones. It is suggested to drink 1 to 2 liters of water each day, or more. Water has the quality of cleansing your body and boosting weight loss.
How to Lose Weight Healthily?
A healthy weight loss includes a balanced diet with all essential nutrients, a moderate exercise regime, and proper regular sleep. When looking for healthy weight loss advice, you should consult a doctor. Some helpful information can be found on the Internet, as well (eg. Kathy J. Shattler is a dietitian, who is helping individuals through her written works on renowned sites). Rather than following crash diets or trends, following qualified people and sites for advice is better.