As each new year begins, most people set various goals and targets that they hope to achieve. According to an article on The Telegraph, losing weight is the second most popular new year’s resolution. This clearly shows that most people desire to take their health more seriously. However, how come so many people often fail to achieve this goal? Well, it’s no secret that losing weight is no easy feat. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when you are on a weight loss journey:
- No clear goals
If you are trying to lose weight, then it isn’t enough to say ‘I want to look thinner’. You need to formulate specific goals that will help you to evaluate your progress over a given time. For instance, you could calculate your BMI in order to find out what is a healthy weight range for guys and women. This will give you an indication of how much weight you need to lose and thereby enable you to set reasonable targets for each week or month.
- Lack of portion control
This is another area where many people fail. Oftentimes, the biggest deception is that as long as you are eating healthy food, then you can have as much as you want. This eventually leads to weight gain. Instead, you should calculate how many calories you need to consume each day and then allocate your meals in such a way that you don’t surpass your calorie limit.
- Doing the wrong workouts
An ineffective workout routine can leave you feeling frustrated when you don’t see the results that you were expecting. According to ravereviews.org, a common mistake that people make is assuming that you only need to do one type of exercise to lose weight in a specific area. For instance, if you want to lose abdominal fat, some people mistakenly perform endless crunches without any cardio or weight training. In order to lose weight effectively, you need to perform a wide variety of exercises that will target different muscle groups and cause an overall increase in your metabolism.
- Having unrealistic expectations
Everyone’s body is different. For this reason, you should avoid setting unrealistic expectations and comparing yourself to others. The fact that someone else achieved their ideal weight in 3 months doesn’t mean that it will be the same for you. Focus on establishing healthy habits and remaining consistent with them. Over time, your efforts will begin to bear fruit.
- Quick fixes
A quick fix never achieves sustainable success. There are many fad diets, slimming teas and other supplements that promise extraordinary results within a short time. Don’t be tempted to try these since they will only lead to disappointment and frustration. Rather, focus on starting with small lifestyle changes then eventually, you will be able to build to more intense and complex strategies. This allows you to lose weight in a sustainable way, thereby ensuring that you maintain a healthy lifestyle both now and in the future.
We are not doctors and this is in no way intended to be used as medical advice and we cannot be held responsible for your results. As with any product, service or supplement, use at your own risk. Always do your own research before using.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.