Losing weight is never easy, but we’re getting to that time of year again when we all start to consider it, entering January with a newfound vigor for getting fit and healthy and losing that little bit of belly fat that we have hanging over from Christmas.
People try to lose weight in all manner of ways these days, and many will make plenty of mistakes in doing so along the way.
So, what are the key mistakes you should be avoiding?
Don’t solely focus on your weight
When it comes to losing weight, far too many of us completely focus on the scales and nothing else. It becomes a race to get that number down. However, you need to remember that weight is only one measure when it comes to weight change and it can not only be down to fluid fluctuations and the amount of food that is in your system but also if you’re working out you may be gaining muscle and losing fat, which could add to the weight.
Alongside weighing yourself, you can also measure your waist and regularly take pictures of yourself which can be just as useful an indicator of your progress.
Don’t take drugs
A worrying amount of people turn to drugs to lose weight, whether it be getting hooked on diet pills rich in stimulants such as caffeine or even consuming illegal substances that can help burn fat in the short term but at the risk of causing all kinds of serious health issues. It’s nothing but a recipe for disaster that can lead to diabetes cardiovascular issues and even addiction.
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There’s a growing number of people in residential rehab clinics that have become addicted to diet pills and prescription drugs and it has not only damaged their health but relationships and careers too – all so they can lose a few pounds. Is it really worth it?
Don’t eat too many or too few calories
Losing weight still requires a healthy, balanced diet, and eating too many or too few calories can have an impact on your weight loss.
Many studies have shown that we aren’t great at calculating our calorie intake, so think long and hard about what you need to do in addition to any exercise and workouts you are doing. Equally, it is very easy to over or underestimate how many calories you’re burning during your exercise, so pay extra attention to this aspect if it is a core tactic you are using for losing weight.
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Don’t Avoid lifting weights
When it comes to lifting weights, many people consider this an activity for gaining muscle and therefore gaining weight. However, weight lifting is a good activity to take up for losing weight, particularly when it comes to losing inches from your waistline.
Lifting weights will help you burn fat, while also building muscle. However, because muscles are denser than fat and take up less space on your body, they will cause you to look visibly slimmer.
References
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity – NIDDK. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/prescription-medications-treat-overweight-obesity
Painter, S. L., Ahmed, R., Hill, J. O., Kushner, R. F., Lindquist, R., Brunning, S., & Margulies, A. (2017). What Matters in Weight Loss? An In-Depth Analysis of Self-Monitoring. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(5). Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5446667/
