A lot of us put in much effort in a bid to achieve a significant reduction in our weight or body size. It however might not come to us as we want it.
One might often wonder why – “what am I not doing right?’. Well, the answers are not far fetched.
Before we go further, It is vital to note that It could actually be that you’re losing weight without realizing or noticing it.
Here are a few simple reasons why your weight loss strategies seem to bounce back.
- Your protein intake might be low
Protein consumption is important for effective weight loss because it fills you up, leaving no space for more calories and reducing your cravings or desire for unhealthy snacking.
This is as a result of protein’s effects on appetite-regulating hormones.
Sufficient protein intake can also assist to prevent side effects like metabolic slowdown or even gaining back lost weight.
- Your calorie consumption might be over the edge
Many a times your weight remains unchanged or even increases because your calorie intake is still very high. Most of us tend to overlook our calorie consumption – weighing it down with our minds when in the actual sense it is a huge amount being eaten.
Try tracking your calorie intake for a few days to see how much you’re eating and take accurate measures to cut down on excesses.
- You’re not eating cautiously
Studies have shown that being constantly aware of how much food you’re eating will help you lose weight better. Many people binge eat often, even during ‘diets’ – rapidly take huge amounts of food than the body requires.
We need to understand that binge eating, whether on junk or healthy foods, spikes calorie levels in the body.
Also, eating small amount of meals frequently throughout the day does not do any magic – try intermittent fasting instead.
During your meals, try focusing on the food itself and zeroing out any distractions. Chew slowly and thoroughly, taking note of everything the meal consists. Upon satiety, immediately stop eating and drink some water.
READ ALSO: Blood Donation: A Sneak Peek Of Things To Note Before Giving Out Blood
- You don’t consume whole healthy foods
Consuming whole, healthy foods is just as important as being aware of what you eat. These foods contain nutrients that assist in appetite regulation. They fill you up better as well as cater for your general health.
Processed foods do the opposite. You’d tend to eat a lot of them because they induce no feelings of fullness whatsoever. They also affect general wellbeing as they increase your risk of developing various diseases or chronic conditions.
- Your diet is filled with high-carb foods
Another common reason could be that you consume huge amounts of carbs. Studies have shown that a low-carb diet can significantly aid weight loss.
A low-carb diet can also improve metabolic markers like HDL cholesterol, blood sugar and triglycerides.
- You’re getting insufficient amounts of sleep
Getting good, adequate amounts of sleep cannot be overemphasized. Studies have indeed shown that poor sleep is one high risk factor that is associated with obesity.
Take time to rest and treat a good night’s sleep with importance.
- You still indulge in sugary drinks instead of water
Drinking water regularly benefits weight loss and improves your health state.
On the other hand, sugary drinks make you fatter. Also, you tend to consume more calories through fluids because your brain doesn’t know when you’ve had enough.
- You don’t exercise
Lifting some weights and actively engaging in cardiovascular exercises like jogging and swimming will help you lose weight more effectively. They assist in preventing metabolic slowdown and burning belly fat..
Exercise is also vital for good health.
- You probably have a medical condition
Some medical conditions and medications can make weight loss very hard or render your efforts futile. If you are down with any conditions or making use of any medications, try talking to a medical doctor. They will give you the best advice on what to do.
- You’ve set unrealistic goals
Weight loss involves a slow, gradual process that requires patience which most of us do not have.
Setting unrealistic goals to look like what you see on the tele can be a huge problem. There is only so much you can achieve through exercise and a healthy diet.
Perhaps you’ve lost good weight and are comfortable with it but you still try to lose some more and it doesn’t work – this is the time to take a halt and accept your body the way it is.
Trying to go beyond the body’s comfort point can often be unachievable.