Here you are, committed to change your life, to be healthier, and look better. You go to the gym, you changed your diet but you don’t seem to get anywhere. That’s frustrating!! Here are the three biggest weight loss mistakes people are making. Maybe you’re guilty of these too?
1. You don’t eat enough
While a moderate caloric deficit is necessary in order to lose weight, it is not recommended to decrease your calorie intake to a minimum. Your body needs food to function properly. If you reduce your calories too much your body will think it is in danger and will do everything it can to hold on to whatever fat depots are left in order to survive. Your metabolism will slow down and the number on the scale will stay the same.
A good rule of thumb is to reduce your calorie intake by around 500 calories. This way you will lose about one pound of body fat (or even more when you increase your activity level) per week. This might not seem a lot compared to the claims you see in commercials but remember, quick fixes usually don’t last long. If you want lasting change, take it slow and enjoy the ride.
2. You work out too much
Sure, if you want to become healthy and lose some pounds, you will definitely need to increase your activity level but don’t overdo it! Your body needs time to rest and recuperate. Every workout means stress for your body. We need to give it the chance to repair itself, so it gets stronger.
If you push yourself too much, you are risking injuries, overtraining, and your immune system will take a toll. If you are just starting out, get some help from a trainer to get you started with a workout routine that will help you reach your goals without putting too much stress on your body.
3. You only focus on your physiology, not your psychology
This is a big one! Many people think in order to get back in shape the only thing they need to do is get their nutrition in check and start working out. But let’s be honest here. How often did you make the decision to become healthier and four weeks later you were back to where you started?
Healthy living is so much more than just food and exercise. In order to be able to permanently change our habits, we need to change our mindset and take control over our thoughts. If we don’t believe that we can do it, we won’t be able to. It’s that simple!
Take away:
Take a look at your current situation and evaluate if you are making one (or more) of these mistakes. If so, don’t worry. This is not a reason to give up on your goals but rather an opportunity to change your approach to get the results you are working for even faster.
Written by: Jen
The Online Personal Trainer for Women