Reasons why you don’t lose weight

You’ve been spending hours and hours in the gym, working out and counting calories, but you are not losing weight? It can be really frustrating if you don’t see the weight come off the way you want, no matter how hard you have tried. A lot of women have this problem. Do you? More than likely, some common diet mistakes are tripping you up…It’s time for a change!

Reason 1: You are too stressed

Stress can slow down the metabolism because of the hormone cortisol, which is an appetite stimulant. Moreover, it steps up the production of a certain brain chemical which increases cravings for carbohydrates. So if you want to lose weight, try to reduce your stress level. If this isn’t possible, try yoga or meditation.

Reason 2: You don’t drink enough water

Filling up on water before a meal and eating foods that contain a lot of water will fill you up faster causing you to eat less. In addition, drinking cool water can boost your metabolism and discourage cravings for sugary drinks like soda and juice.

Reason 3: Your workout is not challenging

Okay, a 20-minute-walk is better than nothing, but don’t expect to see sensational results. If you want to lose weight in no time, challenge yourself! Make yourself sweat! Do at least 30 minutes a day of heart-pumping exercise. Try HIIT, Tabata, running, or spinning and don’t forget weight training.

Reason 4: You eat too much (healthy food)

Of course, we all know the health benefits of nuts and dry fruits, but they also have a lot of calories. You still need to watch out how much you eat of the good stuff. For example, peanut butter and whole wheat pasta are quite nutritious, but still high in calories.

Reason 5: You don’t get enough sleep

If you are trying to lose weight, it is really important to sleep at least 7 to 8 hours per night. Especially if you workout regularly, you need extra energy. Furthermore, skimping on sleep increases appetite-stimulating hormones, so make sure to get your Z’s.

Reason 6: You eat too much fruit

Of course, fresh fruits are healthy and full with nutrients, but some of them also contain a lot of sugar. Instead of snacking bananas, try to eat more veggies, their fiber keeps your body feeling fuller longer without increasing your blood sugar level.

Reason 7: You skip your meals

You want to save calories? Please don’t skip breakfast. Your body will actually hold on to fat because it thinks it’s being starving. Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast regularly are thinner than people who don’t. So make sure to eat a balanced breakfast each morning to kick-start your metabolism.

Reason 8: You eat without thinking

Eating while chatting on Facebook or watching your favorite TV serial can definitely hurt your weight-loss goals. Fix a special time for your meals without distractions – this will help you eat less. Sometimes you don’t even realize how much you’re eating when you are distracted.

Reason 9: You drink your calories

Energy drinks, latte, or soda – they all don’t offer any nutritional benefits but are high in calories. Don’t ruin your diet with empty calories from sugary drinks. Want to lose weight? Eat your calories, don’t drink them!

Reason 10: You skimp on Protein

Protein enhances the feeling of satiety and your body expends more energy to metabolize protein than carbs or fat. So high-protein diets make you burn slightly more calories, reduce obsessive thoughts about food by 60%, and reduce desire for late-night snacking by half. Any more questions?