3 Common Mistakes That Hinder Your Weight Loss Efforts
Losing weight is hard. It takes dedication, a lot of sweat, and many healthy lifestyle changes to lose even just a few pounds. But if you are doing all these things and still have not seen results you may be asking yourself, why am I not losing weight? It’s frustrating doing what you think is right and not reaping the benefits you hoped for. So, what gives? Below are a few possibilities for why you are not losing weight, even though you’ve been sticking to your weight loss plan.
1. You’re Eating Too Many Calories
You won’t lose weight unless you are in a calorie deficit, meaning you must burn more calories than you consume. If you’ve been sticking to a weight loss program yet still not losing weight, you’re likely consuming more calories than you think you are. Remember that every calorie counts. A few bites of food here or a handful of something there adds up quicker than you’d like to believe. You may also be measuring your food portions incorrectly. Make sure you are accounting for and measuring accurately every food ingredient. Some of the most common unaccounted for ingredients include things like cooking oils and sweeteners in beverages. The only way to accurately track your calorie intake is to account for everything that goes in your mouth.
2. You’ve Hit a Plateau
If you had initial weight loss success but have been unable to continue losing weight, you may have hit a plateau. What this means is that your body is accustomed to your new level of activity and calorie intake. You won’t continue to lose weight until you either decrease your calories or bump up your activity level. Plateaus happen to everybody, but they are a sign that you are progressing. If you think you’ve hit a plateau, change up your weight loss program. New exercises and recipes will kickstart your metabolism and help you lose more weight.
3. You’re Not Consistent Enough
It’s great that you’ve been working out and eating healthier, but how often do you do that? The key to weight loss is consistency. If you’re not losing weight, you might not be working out or eating right as consistently as you think you are. Ideally you should aim for some form of physical activity daily, even if you just go for a walk.You also need to be mindful of what you are eating every day at every meal. Eating salads all week won’t help you if you binge eat on the weekends. Be more mindful of your habits and how they can be improved.
The Takeaway
Next time you find yourself asking, why am I not losing weight? Consider the above possibilities. Weight loss is difficult but is worth it for your health and well-being. If you need more help, we’re here for you! Contact us to learn how a medical weight loss program can help transform your approach to weight loss.
