On a diet but still gaining belly fat? 4 common weight loss mistakes people make  |  Photo Credit: Thinkstock
New Delhi: Not seeing results despite your efforts to shed the pounds? It seems slimming down the waistline could be a lot harder than it sounds for many people trying to lose weight. Perhaps, dieters undeniably make some mistakes along the way, yet, they don’t even realise it – most of the time.
If you’re feeling disappointed in your weight loss journey or gaining a few pounds on a diet, chances are you may be making one of these sneaky diet or fitness mistakes that may be stalling your efforts to slim down. Here are the five most common weight loss mistakes dieters make when trying to shed their belly fat and get that perfect hourglass figure.
Too much of a healthy food
Turns out, quantity matters when it comes to weight loss, although paying attention to the quality of the food is important. The fact is that you can still pile on the pounds by eating too much good food – for instance, upping your fibre intake too much can lead to gas and bloating, although fibre-rich foods are linked to many health benefits, including weight loss. Similarly, snacking on nuts is healthy, to an extent, but if you go too far with your fat intake, you’ll start gaining weight -no matter how healthy it is.
Consuming too few calories
A healthy calorie deficit can be helpful when trying to lose weight. But reducing your calorie intake too much can be counterproductive. Studies on very low-calorie diets showed that consuming less than 1,000 calories per day can cause hunger, muscle loss and significantly slow down metabolism, disrupting your weight loss journey.
Eating food at your desk
You may not realise but being mindful is a vital part of weight loss and weight management. When you slow down to taste and savour your food, you’re tuning into your satiety- the feeling of fullness, especially with food. This means you’re less likely to indulge in mindless eating what may make you overeat and gain weight. So, try taking 10 minutes out of your day to eat your lunch elsewhere and not at your desk.
Working out too much or not exercising
Regular exercise helps you lose weight, improve your mental health, reduce the risk of certain conditions, and increase lifespan. However, excessive exercise is unsustainable in the long term for you as it may lead to severe stress, which may impact your fitness goals. A study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry Journal, found that exercising for more than 23 times a month (or exercising for longer than 90-minute sessions) is linked with worse mental health. The researchers suggested that the optimum amount is being active for 30-60 minutes every second day.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
