5 Reasons why you’re not losing weight

If you have been following a strict healthy eating and fitness plan but are failing to see the results, it may be time to check what could be sabotaging your success. 

1. You overcompensate for exercise

Sometimes the temptation to reward our workouts with an edible treat is very strong. By giving in, you are actually undoing all the hard work of your workout. We often overestimate the calories we burn through exercise, so you may be taking in more than you have actually worked off, leading to weight gain rather than loss.

2. You’re not getting enough sleep

Not getting enough sleep could  minimise the benefits of exercise and cause you to gain weight. Not only does sleep deprivation affect exercise performance and endurance, but it slows down your metabolism, increases appetite and makes you more likely to give in to your cravings. A lack of sleep can increase stress levels, which can contribute to weight gain, as well.

3. You’re drinking too many sugary drinks

Don’t forget to consider the calories in fruit juice, smoothies, soft drinks and many hot beverages, apart from alcohol. Every calorie counts towards your daily intake, so don’t forget about the liquid ones!

4. You’re eating large portions

While you may think that you’re only eating three meals a day, with the increasing portion sizes that many of us consume - you could actually be eating the equivalent of six or more standard serving sizes each day. It is worth remembering that although the food you’re eating may be healthy, it should still be eaten in moderation, as eating too much of anything will cause you to gain weight.

5. You’re eating too little

While eating too much food can cause you to gain weight, eating too little can also make it surprisingly difficult to shed those kilograms. Your body has a natural instinct to protect itself so when it is not given an adequate amount of food it will automatically go into starvation mode, causing the metabolism to slow down and the body to hoard fat and calories. As a result of this it will become much more difficult for you to lose weight.

 

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