Losing weight can be so challenging at times.
It seems like you are struggling to shed the extra pounds, you set up a weight goal and then it feels like you are not seeing much of a difference since the day you started it until now. Sounds familiar? What are we doing that we are probably not doing it right? Keep reading and maybe we can find the answer together.
Some of the measures that we take to lose weight can delay our progress. How? Why?
Well, sometimes we think that by stop eating, skipping a meal, or doing some crazy things will help us to lose the extra weight, but we need to be careful, all these measures might actually backfire at us.
Did you know that lacking a nutrient of nutrients from your diet could actually cause you to gain some weight? Yes, that’s right. And this is why we have to consume a well-balanced diet, a diet that includes all nutrients such as carbs (from grains, fruits), protein (from eggs, meat), fat (from fish, walnuts), vitamins (from fruits, veggies) and of course PLENTY of water.
Supplements are good too, if you think you are having a nutrient deficiency. However, you should speak with your Doctor before buying and taking them. I, for example, need to take a Vitamin D supplement since we do not get much sun here in Chicago, a problem I did not have when I was living in Puerto Rico!
Eating empty calories could be a reason too. They come from foods that provide no nutritional benefits at all. So please do not go for the cookie, or the donut, but instead, grab your favorite fruit or a hand full of carrots or almonds. Remember if you are looking for a quick snack, you will want something with low calories, but with healthy nutrients to lose the weight.
I remember when I first moved to the States I gained some weight, and I was doing the “Skipping a meal” to help me lose the extra pounds…wrong! Skipping meals is going to do the opposite, it will make you gain weight, because your body is storing up the fat whenever you do eat just in case you skip again, and storing fat is not good, trust me. Focus on eating 3 or 5 or 6 well balanced meals and that will help your body to burn more calories, you will have more energy and you won’t be craving for empty calories food. Win – Win!
Stopping at the fast food near your office or house, heating up a microwaveable meal, ordering take out, have become so popular this days, even Uber has UberEats, I know, sometimes you are too busy, too tired, and this “convenience food” can save the day. These meals are usually unhealthy, and you are bound to gain weight. I recommend try planning out your weekly meals, let’s say Sundays? Or any day, that will help you to stay on track and you will be super happy how this will help you shed the weight off and it will definitely help you to keep your finance in order as well.
Not getting enough sleep can be a cause of weight gain. When you think about it, it makes sense. If you are feeling sleepy at work, or school, or during the day, you may be tempted to reach for one or several cups of coffee, a donut, a bag of potato chips or any other comfort food you can find for a shot of energy. You will then skip the gym because you are tired, order take out, so at the end of the day you just find yourself sabotaging your own waistline and your health. I read this somewhere: “sleep debt is like a credit card debt, if you keep accumulating credit card debt, you will pay high interest rates, same thing with your sleep, if you accumulate too much sleep debt, your body will crash”. Look at it this way, it is like a chain reaction. You don’t sleep, you will be tired all day, no energy, your metabolism will be slow, you won’t exercise and you will eat whatever comes in front of you.
Not exercising, if you want to lose weight and keep it off, try a combination of exercise and a healthy eating plan. Find something that you really like doing, for me is running, but for some people is dancing, or heading to the gym, walking, skating, swimming, biking, just find a routine that you fill comfortable and enjoy. Remember exercising releases endorphin and endorphin makes you happy.
Diet pills, you may lose some weight but, it will always come back. Try to lose the weight at the right speed with exercise and a balanced diet, that way you will definitely keep it off. Feel bloated? Have a cup of tea and you will feel better.
Balance is everything. Have a great weekend folks.
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