5 Weight
Loss Blunders
Stop sabotaging
yourself!
Losing weight can be a
frustrating, anxiety-inducing process, but it doesn't have to be! Find out about
some common weight loss mistakes you may be making and stop sabotaging
yourself!
Giving Up Too
Soon.
Falling off the exercise and diet wagon happens to everyone. It's
tempting to give up on exercise after weeks (or months) of failing to stick with
a program or skip workouts completely if you run out of time. It's also tempting
to ditch healthy eating after a massive Oreo-fest, but renewing your commitment
after a boo-boo is the most important thing you can do to succeed.
Solution. No matter how long
it's been since you've exercised, do something active right away, like a quick
walk, to help you take control. If you don't have time for your regular workout,
use whatever time you have to be active. Ask yourself which is better:
exercising for 10 minutes or not doing anything at all. If you ate too much,
admit your mistake and move on. One mistake (or two...or three...) doesn't equal
failure!
Expecting Immediate Weight Loss. After weeks of exercise and healthy
eating, frustration often sets in when the scale doesn't move. Remember, you
didn't gain weight overnight and you won't lose it overnight either. Spending
too much time scale-watching might lead to a maddening desire to quit exercise
forever.
Solution.
Focus on the immediate benefits of
exercise. Pay attention to how you feel while you're working out. You should
feel energetic and alert. You may notice you sleep better, your body feels
stronger and you're less stressed. The benefits of exercise go way beyond weight
loss and appearance!
Doing The Same
Thing and Expecting Different Results.
It's important to do exercises that you enjoy, but if you've
been doing the same ones for months (or even years), you've probably reached a
weight loss plateau and, even worse, complete boredom with your
workouts.
Solution. Change what you're doing.
It can be as simple as choosing a different walking route or changing the amount
of weight you're using. Try something new and do it every six weeks. Your body
needs regular challenges and so does your mind, so don't allow yourself to get
into a rut.
Having The Wrong Attitude. People often view
exercise as punishment, something that cancels out the naughty things you ate
yesterday. Obviously, no one wants to spend time punishing themselves so
changing your attitude about exercise can go a long way towards motivating
yourself to do it regularly.
Solution. Exercise should be a reward, not a punishment. Being active
is the reward your body deserves for working so hard each day. Our bodies love
activity (even if our minds resist it!) so think of exercise as your gift to
yourself--something that will make you feel good now and will add to your
quality of life for years to come.
Having Unrealistic
Expectations. Six-pack abs, thin thighs and a
sculpted body. Don't tell me you don't dream about this! We all want perfect
bodies, but, for many of us, it's just not going to happen, whether it's due to
genetics, body type or some other factor we can't control.
Solution.
Set realistic goals. Not everyone can achieve six-pack abs,
you know. And, honestly, visible abs have no function other than to look great
in bathing suits (and, how often do you wear a bathing suit? I wear one 2 weeks
out of the year, if I'm lucky!). Set a goal that means something--getting
stronger so you can play with your kids, or strengthening your back so you have
good posture. Give up on the idea of trying to look like someone else. You're
you. Don't you want to be the best YOU possible??
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