Seven Significant Reasons for Weight Loss Failure
Seven Significant Reasons for Weight Loss Failure
Welcome once again to this Health and Fitness blog. Here is another fascinating snippet of health related news for you to read all about:
The New Year is rapidly approaching! Like many people I’m thinking through the things I would like to do differently or simply improve on in the coming year both with my health and my business. I spend quite a few hours over the course of a few weeks in December and early January planning my strategies. I hope you think through your options for weight loss just as carefully.
Choose a Weight Loss Plan based on Your Needs
I’ve been a Nutritionist for a long time and I can think of many reasons why the majority of people who have good intentions fail to succeed with their weight loss efforts. Because you are reading this, you can be one of the ones who succeed!
The list I’ve created for you today does not include ALL of the many challenges faced when on a weight loss diet. I think that could easily fill up several volumes! However, this list includes the most common problems. Take a moment to read my list. See if any of these problems might be an issue for you. I sincerely want you to have the best possible chance for success. Let me know if you have any questions!
Seven Significant Reasons for Weight Loss Failure
When it comes to weight loss, the most important thing you can do to succeed is to know yourself and enough about nutrition and weight management to make appropriate choices for YOU. You are unique and your weight loss plan should fit YOUR needs. See what you can do to avoid these traps:
1. Failing to plan ahead.
When you decide on your weight loss goal for the New Year make sure it is SMART.
S – Be Specific about your weight loss goal.
M – Make sure your goal is Measurable.
A – Is your goal Achievable?
R – Is your goal Realistic?
T – What is your Time frame?
To learn more about setting SMART goals you may want to read: Do you have a goal? Is it SMART? on my weight loss motivation website.
2. Failing to track calories.
Is it absolutely necessary for everyone to track calorie intake to lose weight? NO. However, having said that, a recent study revealed that those who do choose to track what they eat by keeping a food journal or diary lose TWICE the weight of those who opt to only diet and exercise!
Food Diaries Best for Weight Loss Success!
3. Failing to properly determine an appropriate calorie intake for a weight loss diet.
Relatively few people know with any degree of accuracy how many calories they need to maintain weight. If you don’t know how many calories you need to maintain, how will you know whether or not you are reducing your calorie intake enough? How will you know if your calorie intake for a weight loss diet is too low? You need enough calories to prevent your metabolism from slowing down.
If these numbers are something you are not sure about, I would STRONGLY encourage you to read one of the articles I wrote for my series on metabolism. See:
How many calories a day do I need: Metabolism Part 2
4. Failing to have a good understanding of portion size and how much food is ENOUGH.
Most Americans need less food than the amount they eat. All too many people have become accustomed to portion sizes that are unrealistic. That’s one of many reasons why over 70 percent of the population is either overweight or obese.
See: How much is enough? What you need to know about portions and servings.
5. Failing to eat a balanced and nutritious diet.
If you don’t put the right kind of fuel in your car it won’t run. Why would someone think it is possible to get away with eating food that fails to provide the body with what it needs to function properly (be healthy)? Any diet that intentionally eliminates a necessary food group for a length of time is destined to fail.
If you would like to see examples of healthy diet plans please take a look at my 1200 Calorie Diet Plan and 1500 Calorie Diet Plan.
6. Failing to choose a diet plan that works.
I can’t say that I blame anyone for choosing a crazy diet that “someone” claims is easy to follow and one that makes it is possible to shed weight quickly! Yeah sure…I’ve heard that before. Have you? If it were so easy, trust me, EVERYONE would know about it. Everyone!!!
There are some reasonable short cuts you can take if you have a solid understanding of human nutrition. If you don’t, I recommend following a qualified nutritionist, dietitian, or other appropriately trained medical person. Some personal trainers are very knowledgeable about nutrition and weight loss and others are NOT so be careful.
I will be writing an article soon about the newest diet books on the market that you may find helpful. Till then you may want to take a look at some of the one’s I’ve recommended in previous years:
7. Failing to exercise.
It is possible to lose weight without exercise. In fact you are more likely to lose weight with only dieting than you would be with only exercise. Why is that? All too often people overcompensate for the calories burned with exercise and overeat. However, exercise still matters! There are many reasons for this. To learn more you may want to read:
Have I got you thinking about what you CAN do to be successful with your weight loss goal? I hope so. Let me know what you think.
Till next time, watch those calories and eat healthy food!
You may be able to get the full story by clicking here:
Women and Weight Website
Also, check out this great weight loss and health site for more ways to lose weight and stay healthy.
Discussion Area - Leave a Comment