Some of the most popular weight-loss methods may potentially be causing the number on your scale to move in the wrong direction. It's difficult enough to stick to your weight-loss objectives as it is; the last thing you need is for all of your hard work to go to waste because of some (really) bad advice.
We've listed some of the most frequent difficulties people face when trying to lose weight, as well as what you can do to avoid them, so you can get it right and tight.
Fitness Foods
While protein and energy bars can be a convenient snack or meal substitute in a rush, expecting they'll help you lose weight is a mistake. Many bars don't have enough protein or fiber to keep you satisfied for lengthy periods of time, and they're high in sugar and carbs, which spike your blood sugar and leave you hungry quickly after you eat them.
Instead, have healthy snacks in your desk drawer, such as nut butter and whole-grain crackers, and bite-sized vegetables and entire fruit in your fridge for healthy, low-calorie snacking.
Calorie Restriction to the Extreme
It can be tempting to drastically reduce your calorie intake when you have a lot of weight to lose, but this can result in a sluggish metabolism (and a serious case of mood swings). Instead of immediately reducing your energy consumption to 1,200 calories (the very minimum you should never go below), start by reducing your intake by 100 calories for every 10 pounds you lose, according to Wesley Delbridge, R.D., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Falling for Fad Diets
According to a study published in the journal Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, on-again, off-again dieters can gain more weight than those who don't diet at all, thanks to the brain's built-in survival mechanism. In diet mode, the brain perceives the temporary calorie restriction as a brief famine, and once the diet is completed, it instructs the body to store more fat in case of future shortages, effectively dooming your weight-loss efforts.
Take a one-step-at-a-time strategy to weight loss instead of going all out with a calorie-cutting plan that leads to an epic pizza binge. You'll gradually adapt to a lower calorie intake and healthier eating habits without feeling deprived if you master one healthy change at a time, such as cutting your crisps addiction back to one snack bag per week or swapping your lunch sandwich for a lettuce wrap.
