Most people will try to lose weight at some point in their lives, and of course results will always vary. Some people find it incredibly easy while others will struggle with it for a long time. Even though it all boils down to basic science and burning more calories than you consume, there are many ways to go wrong when it comes to losing weight. Just ask any yo-yo dieter or somebody who has been struggling with their weight since their teenage years. Maybe it’s the combination of seemingly easy answers with a need for fast results. Or it could just be related to human nature and the temptation to find the quickest way to do things. In any case, there are common weight loss mistakes that people make all the time, and here are some that you should avoid.
Too much too soon – just because you can lose 10 pounds in one week doesn’t mean you should. In fact, any more than 2 pounds a week is not a good idea. People want instant gratification but when it comes to losing weight, you should look for a more gradual approach that keep your body healthy at the same time. This isn’t a race so try to find a way that you can blend healthier practices into your lifestyle rather than simply exercising your butt off for two weeks.
No planning – the process of weight loss can be a journey and as such, it requires a certain degree of planning. Many people tell themselves that they want to lose weight and jump into it without any organization. They might give themselves a deadline and do everything possible to eat healthy, but there is no overarching plan that ties everything together. It’s important to have a general idea of where you want to go and what it takes in order to get you there. This involves taking a close look at your eating patterns to get a handle on your overall caloric intake. It might also require a bit of daily menu planning and addition to recording information about exercises you do.
High expectations – it’s good to reach for the stars and set goals for yourself, but when it comes to weight loss you need to be realistic as well. You can’t expect yourself to lose weight at the same rate during a given period of time. Nor should you compare your results for your body to anyone else, otherwise it will drive you crazy. Set reasonable goals and be proud of yourself for reaching them while remembering that even little steps help in the overall picture.
Doing it Alone – one mistake people make is isolating themselves for one reason or another when they are trying to lose weight. You might feel alone in the process or maybe even embarrassed about needing to lose weight. But it’s important to recognize there is a lot of help available from friends and family, on the Internet, and from your physician. Open up those lines of communication because trying to do everything on your own can be very difficult.
Obsession – when you make fast weight loss during mission in life it can potentially become an obsession. Many people spend way too much time thinking of fat-free foods they can buy or how they can cut calories from their overall diet. They might spend a lot of time getting up and off the scale while thinking about the numbers constantly. It’s important to find balance when it comes to how you go about things because going too far in one direction can set you off kilter. Try your best not to turn this process into an unhealthy obsession that jeopardizes your health.
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