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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Proper weight management is ideal to live a long healthy life. Maintaining the ideal weight reduces your risk of developing serious weight-related illnesses, boosts your confidence, and enhances every area of your life. Though most people are aware of this, trying to shed the excess pounds is easier said than done.
One would think that losing weight was nothing more than developing healthy eating habits and exercising regularly, but there’s a lot more to it. Biological and health factors could be a cause, but more often than not the culprit is simply poor health habits. Identifying these traps and making minor changes, therefore, can help you get closer to your goal.
Overeating
Too much of anything can have some adverse effect on your weight. Whether you’re chowing down on burgers and fries or baked fish and salads, these calories add up causing weight gain. You may not even realize you’re overeating. For example, you might say you’ll only have one cup of juice but if it’s a container that holds more than 8 fluid ounces, then you’re drinking more than a cup of juice which means more sugar and more calories.
To keep your daily calorie intake at an ideal level it is recommended that you mind your portions. Eating the recommended serving sizes or measuring your meals may not be your idea of fun, but it can make a big difference in your efforts to lose weight. There are also cooking utensils and portion-controlled storage containers you can use to make it easier.
Skipping Meals
You would think that missing a meal would reduce your calorie intake and, therefore, help you lose weight. However, your body needs food for nutrients and energy. When you don’t eat your body begins to store away fat as a means of survival. This increases your weight.
Most people don’t skip meals on purpose, they’re simply too busy. They run out the door in the morning for work, then work straight through lunch, which means they’re only eating one meal each day. Start prepping your meals in advance to save you some time. Take your lunch with you to work as well. You can also purchase plant-based smoothies and healthy snacks from companies like JJ Virgin. Smoothies are quick and easy but provide you with the boost you need while having healthy snacks on hand gives you a fast solution to eating on the go.
Simplistic Exercising
Exercise is essential to weight loss. However, variation is key. If you’re doing the same aerobic exercises or repping the same amount of weight each day your body eventually becomes used to this. As the exercises are no longer challenging, you plateau bringing your weight loss goals to a halt.
It’s time to mix things up. Instead of just walking every day try other exercise routines like kickboxing, yoga, or Zumba. When doing strength training, continually challenge your body by increasing the number of reps or amount of weight you’re lifting.
Too Much Stress
Your emotional health can also impact your inability to lose weight. If you’re chronically stressed, for instance, you may find it hard to slim down. When the body becomes stressed, it produces a hormone called cortisol. This hormone then regulates the appetite causing you to want to eat more and crave unhealthy foods.
Some stress is normal, but if you’ve been particularly overwhelmed lately perhaps it’s time you make some changes. If you’re overloaded at work, talk with your supervisor about reducing that load. If you have too many responsibilities at home or with your kids ask your friends and family to help out or develop a schedule that helps your routines run smoother. Lastly, when you are stressed, find positive ways to cope. Go for a massage, read an interesting book, take a bath, or even go for a walk outside.
If you believe you’ve been doing the right things to lose weight but haven’t seen much progress lately it is a very real possibility that you’re guilty of falling in one of these traps. Use the solutions provided to correct your behaviors and develop healthier habits. After a few weeks, if there are still no results, perhaps you should consult your doctor to find out if something more could be going on.