Listen up, folks! We’ve all been there – you hit the gym, the weight starts to melt away, and then BOOM! You hit a wall. Not to worry, we’ve got a solution for you. Check out our top ten reasons why weight loss comes to a screeching halt, and how to overcome them. Don’t let that stubborn body fat defeat you any longer!
1. The Scale is Lying to You
Rather than obsessing over the number on the scale, focus on shedding body fat and building muscle. After all, losing weight isn’t the only goal here – we want to be healthier overall! To get a better sense of how you’re doing, try these other methods of tracking progress:
- Pay attention to how your clothes are fitting
- Measure your waist circumference once a month
- Look at your body fat percentage each month
Just remember, progress isn’t always linear, so don’t get too hung up on any one number. Keep making small changes every day and you’ll be setting yourself up for lifelong success!
2. You Don’t Know What You’re Eating
The key could be as simple as tracking your food intake. Studies show that keeping tabs on what you eat makes for an effective weight-loss tool because it holds you accountable for your food choices.
Honestly, most of us have no idea what we’re consuming each day. But awareness around this is crucial when it comes to losing weight.
So why not give food tracking a shot? It doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Just snap a quick picture of your meals or jot down what you’re eating in a food journal. Trust us, you’d be surprised at how much or how little you’re really consuming throughout the day.
Just track what you put on your plate for a few weeks. Don’t worry about exact amounts, just focus on getting into the habit of keeping tabs on your food choices. Who knows, it could make all the difference in achieving your weight-loss goals.
3. You’re Not Eating Enough Protein
If you’re trying to lose weight, you need to get your protein game on point. This stuff is seriously important. Not only does it boost your metabolism, but it can also help you eat less without even trying – goodbye, cravings! Plus, it’s great for controlling this hormone called ghrelin that makes you feel hungry. Eat more lean meats like chicken, turkey, and ground beef to keep that ghrelin in check. Trust us, it’ll make a huge difference. And why not sneak a little extra protein into your brekkie and lunch to beat those workday hunger pangs? You’ll thank us later.
4. You’re Eating Too Many Calories
Let’s talk about what you’re eating. Did you know that most people trying to lose weight have no idea how many calories they’re consuming each day? Yikes! Consuming too many calories can lead to weight gain, so it’s important to have a good idea of what you’re putting into your body.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to weigh your food or obsess over every single calorie. Just track your meals every once in a while using a tracking app. This will help you learn the nutrition value of the foods you’re choosing and how much protein, carbs, and fats they contain.
Once you have a basic understanding of the nutritional value of your go-to meals, you can build your meals without the app with confidence. But don’t forget to come back to tracking when you feel yourself slipping off track for a little check-in. So, let’s be mindful of what we’re eating and make sure we’re fueling our bodies with the good stuff! 🙌🏼🥦🥑🥗🍩🍦
5. You’re Not Eating Whole Foods
Are you tired of feeling sluggish and weighed down by your diet? Eating more whole foods can make a huge difference in how you feel and look.
Whole foods are the real deal, with one to five pronounceable ingredients and minimal processing. Stick to the produce and meat aisles at the grocery store to find the good stuff.
Why make the switch to whole foods? Well, for starters: you’ll get more vitamins and minerals, eat less sugar, have more sustained energy, and achieve a healthier body composition. Plus, your skin will glow and your cravings will ease up.
Want to start incorporating whole foods into your life? Just remember to fill your plate with two hands of veggies, a couple of hands of carbs, a thumbful of healthy fats, and a fistful of protein. It’s an easy way to fuel your body and feel your best.
6. You’re Not Lifting Weights
If you’re looking to shed those extra pounds, there’s one thing you gotta do – lift weights!💪 It not only helps you build muscle mass but also protects your joints and burns calories like a pro. What’s more? It ensures long-term fat loss🔥. Don’t know where to start? No worries, we’ve got your back. We onboard everyone into our personal training program for only $500 for the first 8 weeks. So, schedule your Goal Setting Consultation today and let’s pump some iron! Let’s get lifting, baby!💪
7. You’re Not Eating Mindfully
One simple solution that’s completely free is called Mindful Eating. You won’t believe how powerful it is! Here’s what you need to do:
- Sit down and focus on your meal.
- Turn off all distractions like phones and TV.
- Savor each bite, enjoying the flavors and smells.
- Chew slowly and thoroughly.
- Pay attention to your body’s signals of fullness.
- Drink a glass of water after your meal to top it off.
That’s all there is to it! When you eat mindfully, you give your body the chance to communicate its hunger and fullness cues to you. By taking your time with each bite, your body can tell you when it’s had enough. Eating the right amount of food helps your body start using its fat stores instead of accumulating more. Give mindful eating a try – your body will thank you!
8. You’ve Been Dieting for Too Long
Whoa, hold up! If you’ve been limiting calories for too long, you could be stuck at a plateau in your weight loss journey 🤯.
Your body might be in survival mode and craving some extra love and care. That’s where maintenance mode comes in – bump up your calorie intake for some much-needed fuel ⛽.
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, too – your body needs time to recover and recharge 💤.
And guess what – you don’t have to stop at keeping your body fat levels the same! You can still focus on getting stronger, lifting weights and boosting your overall health 💪🏼.
Take a pause for 1-2 months before reducing calories again – your body deserves some R&R and a chance to reset. Treat it well with nutritious food, plenty of water, and quality rest 💚.
9. You’re Still Drinking Sugar
Did you know that sugary drinks like soda, vitamin water, and even fruit juice don’t make you feel full? That’s right, your brain doesn’t register the calories from these drinks in the same way as solid foods. This means you could be sipping on hundreds of extra calories a day without even realizing it!
But don’t worry, cutting back on these beverages is a super effective way to lose fat. Just think, skipping that sugary soda or latte could mean shaving off several hundred calories from your daily diet. And if you’re a Starbucks fan, we’ve got you covered with 10 low-calorie options to try. Trust us, your waistline (and taste buds) will thank you.
10. You’re Not Sleeping Well
Let’s talk about sleep – it’s kind of a big deal. You’ll see it pop up in our feed like five times a month. But why? Well, because getting a good night’s rest is super important for your mind and body. Here’s what happens when you sleep:
🔹 You recover from stress (both physical and mental)
🔹 Your blood sugar levels balance out
🔹 Your hunger hormones regulate themselves
🔹 You’ll think sharper during the day
🔹 And you’ll perform better at work and in the gym
So yeah, sleep is pretty crucial. If you’re trying to shed some pounds, getting enough sleep should be a top priority. To get the best sleep possible, check out what the CDC suggests.
Yours Truly,
Michael
Thank you Michael! I love to hear you talk about the science behind eating healthy. Just because I’m a nurse doesn’t mean I know all about nutrition… Not the details anyway.
I like to think of the gym as a school. Educating clients is powerful.