A few months ago, a trip to the doctor and a visit with the scale showed that I was overweight. While not morbidly obese, my BMI was not where it was supposed to be, and my doctor recommended that I try losing weight. After chatting with a close friend of mine, I decided to join a weight loss program to aid in my weight loss journey. When in the process of losing weight, you may think you are doing everything according to the book: eating well and exercising – yet the scale doesn’t seem to move in the right direction. This might simply be the fault of following old and misguided dietary advice.
Despite your best efforts, you may unknowingly be making a mistake with your weight loss decisions. Because I really want you to succeed and get the silhouette of your dreams, I have prepared a list of basic diet plan mistakes and ways in which you can avoid them. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
NOT ENOUGH PROTEIN
Getting enough protein in your diet daily is one of the most crucial elements of weight loss. Protein has been proven to aid in losing weight in several ways; it reduces appetite, increases the speed of your metabolism, and leaves you feeling fuller for longer after a meal. Not including enough protein is a common mistake people make during their weight loss journey, as they associate it only with muscle mass.
It is also harder for vegans and vegetarians to supply enough protein, which is why it is recommended to go for protein supplements. A nourishing diet is all about mathematics, so if you are not hitting the mark on protein, turn to experts from the supplement reviews and find the right supplement for you.
TOO FEW OR TOO MANY CALORIES
Not eating enough or eating too much is the number one reason for your weight loss, not progressing, and it seems like eating too little is far more common among people on a diet. A calorific deficit is a reason behind losing weight in the first place, so the idea of having too big of a deficit can be tough to swallow. Research suggests that the required deficit to lose weight varies between people, based on their genetics, health, and lifestyle.
Under or overestimating how much you consume could be the reason behind your metabolism turning against you. Buy yourself a food scale and try to estimate your calories as precisely as possible. Download a dedicated app to help you track your meals.
HAVING MANY DIET AND LOW-FAAT FOODS IN YOUR FRIDGE
When you decide to lose weight, the first natural thing to do is swap all of the foods you have to their diet or low-fat versions to make the transition easier for you and still eat the foods that you are familiar with. Generally speaking, low-fat or diet products are considered a good choice for weight loss. However, they may have the opposite effect, as such food items are usually higher in sugar to stay low-fat.
Rather than keeping you full and nourished, some dietary food products can make you feel hungrier because of the sugar inside and result in you eating more. It is recommended that instead of diet and low-fat foods, go for minimally processed, wholesome products.
NOT ENOUGH FIBER
A diet that is low in fiber can also contribute to your scale not being able to change its results. Fiber is essential for the proper digestive system, and it helps to make you feel full by holding more water. When you consume foods rich in fiber on a daily basis, some of the calories that you have consumed are not absorbed, which results in your healthy bowels and lower weight.
TOO MUCH FAT ON A LOW-CARB DIET
These days, the popularity of a low-carb diet is at its highest level, and many people seek help in this method to get their weight down to the level they wish for. The ketogenic diet can be beneficial when you are in the middle of your weight loss journey, but you should be very conscious of the number of fats that you are consuming when on a low-carb diet.
Even though low-carb or ketogenic diets help minimize hunger and calorie intake at the same time, adding too much fat might slow down weight loss or even prevent it.
Conclusion
Losing weight is a challenging time in your life, as it involves a lot of time, effort, and focus on getting to the finish line. However, if you find yourself stuck in your weight loss journey, please do not give up on yourself. Find the mistake that you are making and eliminate it, and soon you will find yourself seeing the perfect number on the scale. Good luck with your journey to a healthier you!
