Losing weight is a common goal for many people, whether it’s wearing a favorite pair of jeans or living a healthier lifestyle. However, even with the best intentions, some people struggle to achieve their weight loss goals. This may be due to unintentional mistakes that are hindering their progress. In this blog, we will learn about four common mistakes that you should avoid to make your weight loss journey more effective.
1. Poor sleep pattern
You may have the right diet and exercise plan, but if your sleep quality is lacking, your efforts will not yield the desired results. Sleep is an important aspect of overall health and plays a vital role in weight management. During sleep, your body repairs and rejuvenates itself, regulates hormones, and maintains the balance that is necessary for fat loss and muscle gain.
One hormone that affects sleep is “ghrelin”, which increases when you don’t get enough sleep. Increased levels of ghrelin can cause unwanted food cravings, making it harder to stick to your diet. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night to aid your weight loss efforts.
2. Unwanted Stress
Stress is almost inevitable in today’s fast-paced world. However, chronic stress can wreak havoc on your weight loss journey. Stress triggers the secretion of the hormone “cortisol”, which is important for our body in appropriate amounts. But excessive cortisol production can disrupt your body’s harmony, potentially leading to weight gain and inflammation.
Additionally, stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as emotional eating, eating junk food, skipping exercise, and staying up too late. To manage stress, try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, engage in sports or spend time with loved ones to improve your mood.
3. Excessive Cardio
While cardio exercises are excellent for heart health and oxygen supply, the misconception that they are the key to burning fat needs to be dispelled. In fact, excessive cardio can hinder your healthy weight loss goals. The best practice is to prioritize resistance training (weight training) as the primary form of exercise, with cardio included as a supplemental activity.
Resistance training helps maintain lean body mass while reducing fat mass, leading to a healthier, more sustainable weight loss journey. So, reconsider your workout routine and ensure a balance between resistance training and cardio.
4. Eating too little
A common mistake of beginners trying to lose weight is to eat less or starve themselves. Deficiency of essential nutrients and calories in your body can cause many problems ranging from mood swings and hormonal imbalance to poor quality of hair and skin.
Remember that your body needs nutrition, and starving it will only disrupt its systems. Instead of eating too little, focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods to meet your calorie needs. Choose a balanced and healthy diet that supports your weight loss goals without causing your body to become malnourished.
Conclusion
Effective weight loss is not just about diet and exercise; It’s also about taking care of your sleep, managing stress, balancing your workout routine, and nourishing your body with the right foods. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can set yourself on a path to healthier and more successful weight loss.
References :-
1.National Sleep Foundation: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/
2.Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/
3.American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/
4.Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/
5.WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/
