Top 5 reasons you’re not losing weight
By Brittany Anas
If you’ve hit a plateau with your weight loss or you just can’t seem to get the scale to budge, you may be falling victim to some common weight-loss road blocks. Consider meeting with a dietitian to assess what a healthy weight range is for your body type and to assess your eating habits. It’s possible that hidden food allergies could be causing your body to store fat or that medications you’re taking, like birth control, could be causing some water retention.
But, here are some common problems that you can easily fix on your own and that will give a boost to your fitness goals.
• You’re not getting enough ZZZ’s: Depriving yourself of sleep can actually cause weight gain, several studies have found. When you’re tired, you’re less likely to be physically active and sleep deprivation increases your appetite and slows your metabolism. Try getting a good seven to eight hours a night. Set an alarm clock for yourself 30 minutes before your bedtime so that you have enough time to unwind, relax and go through your bed-time rituals.
• Your scale is lying to you: The fact is, you may just need a new scale — especially if you notice that the one you have varies from one at your gym or is inconsistent when giving readings. Also, you may be building muscle mass. Modern, high-tech scales can not just give you your weight, but also track how much water weight your carrying as well as monitor your body fat and muscle mass. Also, you may not be losing weight, but you could be losing inches. Keep a log of your measurements and weigh yourself once a week at the same time every week. (If you’re looking for a new scale, check out the Weight Watchers body analysis scale from Target).
• You’re not eating the right amount of food: We know how incredibly important portion control is to weight loss. Overeating causes weight gain, and you’d be surprised just how small serving sizes actually are. For example, one serving size of chicken is about 3 ounces — which is only 1/4th of a chicken breast or the size of a deck of cards. Consider buying a food scale. (Food scale from drugstore.com).
On the contrary, you could be eating too little. If you’re not giving your body enough fuel, you could be slowing down your metabolism and your body may not be burning calories at its most efficient rate possible. Check out WebMd to find out how many calories you should be consuming based on your age and gender.
• You’re drinking too much soda: Sometimes we forget that the liquid calories we drink count. If you keep a food journal or tally the calories you consume, don’t forget to track the sodas and other sugary culprits. In just one can of Mountain Dew, there are 170 calories, for example.
If you’re craving a sugary drink, splurge on a Jamba Juice smoothie. If you haven’t been there recently, you’ll be delighted to know that there are now “make it light” versions. Click here for coupons at Jamba Juice from ShopAtHome.com.
• You’re in a work-out rut: The first time that you ran a 3-mile loop on your neighborhood trail or did a Zumba class at your gym, you were huffing and puffing and your muscles were throbbing the next day. But, after a few months of the same work-outs your body has adjusted and needs a new challenge. Try a new class at your gym, perhaps. Or, check out these innovative work-out accessories to add to your mix.
Want to save money at health stores? Click here for coupons from ShopAtHome.com.
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