Everybody has an ideal weight for themselves. And while some may find it difficult to get out of their comfort zone, much more their beds, others have enough determination to take the first steps toward a healthy weight. Exercise is the first step in this journey, followed by a strict diet consisting of low fat and low sugar foods, substituted by healthier alternatives. It’s never an easy feat, and the results are almost never instantaneous. It can be quite frustrating.
When you have spent the last days or weeks eating healthy and sweating out, you might think that you’re not doing enough if your weight stays the same. But before you go extreme with diet and exercise, it is best to be aware of the eating and dieting mistakes that can cause your weight loss plan to fail.
Salt Lake City MD diet experts at MD Diet Weight Loss and Nutrition, LLC share why your efforts aren’t helping in dropping those extra pounds:
- You skip meals. Doing so in order to lose weight negatively affects your body’s ability to feel satisfied or full. It can also slow down your metabolism, which can then cause weight gain or make it more difficult for you to lose weight. Your body also goes into survival mode when you skip meals and causes it to crave food, resulting in overeating later in the day.
- You’re not mindful when eating. Mindful eating or the practice of being aware of what you choose to eat, including the way it smells, tastes, and feels can help satisfy your body’s hunger signals. This may assist with weight loss and prevent you from overeating when you are full. Check out this article from Harvard Health Publishing to learn more about mindful eating and to help you get started.
- You are too restrictive. Being too restrictive with your diet or eliminating entire food groups only leads to failure, as it is not sustainable for the long-term. This can also burn you out and sometimes lead to binge eating. It is best to stick to a diet that includes a variety of food in right portion sizes. You can also work with a doctor or a dietitian for developing an eating plan.
- You don’t keep track. People who kept a food diary, studies suggest, lost twice as much as those who didn’t. This is mainly because it promotes awareness and accountability, which can motivate you with your efforts. If you’re not much into paper and pen, you can benefit from using fitness gadgets and weight loss apps. Here are some of the best apps for tracking your calories and activity.
These are just a few things that can sabotage your diet. There are a lot of other alternatives to try, but be sure to consult your doctor before doing anything extreme. You can also benefit from working with an MD diet expert to help you create a weight loss plan that best suits your situation. Get on the path to your ideal weight and healthy life as soon as possible.