Say you’ve been working really hard, exercising regularly and eating right and still, you are not losing weight. What could you be doing wrong? In today’s post, we are listing down possible reasons why your progress is slowing down to a stop:
Sudden Caloric Limit
For most people, losing weight is all about eating less and exercising more. By limiting your caloric intake and working out regularly, you will achieve a slimmer frame. But weight loss is not black and white. The human body is an intelligent machine. When you eat less, the body goes into starvation mode. At this point, the body will hold onto as much fat as it could while slowing down the metabolic rate. When the body is in starvation mode, it literally works against losing weight!
To achieve weight loss, you have to speed up the metabolic rate. Instead of slashing 800 calories off your daily meals, make subtle drops between 200 to 500 calories.
You Ignore Protein
Did you know that a high protein diet promotes faster weight loss compared to a high carbohydrates diet? That’s because the body burns off more energy to metabolize protein than carbs or fat.
Protein is slow burning so it prolongs the feeling of fullness. Because the muscles are made of amino acids, you need a constant supply of protein to prevent muscle loss and boost fat loss! Instead of avoiding protein when dieting, always have your daily serving of lean meats, poultry or fish. You can also get your protein from eggs, dairy (non or low fat), lentils and grains!
You are Stressed Out
Studies show that stress may lead to unwanted weight gain. You are more likely to binge on sweet, fattening foods when you are distressed, why? When you are distressed, the level of stress hormone cortisol shoots up. This triggers the body’s fight or flight response, which unfortunately kicks your appetite into high gear! Apart from cortisol, the body also releases neuropeptide Y, a chemical that increases cravings for carbs.
To avoid weight gain caused by stress, look for better ways to cope with distressing situations. We love meditating or doing an hour of yoga to relieve stress. A deep tissue massage is also a great way to de-stress!
You Use Condiments
The next time you eat, hold off the condiments! Taking seasonings, sauces, or dips could add extra 100 to 200 calories to your meal. But if say you love sauce and can’t imagine swearing off them forever, find a happy (and less fattening) compromise. Look for low fat, low sodium, or low sugar alternatives.
For instance, instead of using ranch dressing for your salads, how about adding a dash of vinaigrette? Vinaigrette packs a lot of flavors but without the unwanted calories. Mustard, hot causes, and certain herbs and spices make an excellent alternative to fattening ketchup, mayonnaise, and other condiments.
You Love Sodas
The fastest way to consume calories is by drinking them. Colas, fizzy drinks, even flavored water, and sports drinks are teeming with extra calories you do not need. Stick to plain water to rehydrate. If you love flavored water, use lemon, mint, and other herbs and fruits to flavor plain water!
