5 weight loss mistakes you should stop doing
May, 2024
Losing weight is the main exercise goal for many people.
While consuming less calories than you burn is the basis of a successful weight loss plan, I constantly see people making mistakes on their journey to a healthier lifestyle.
So, I’m going to show you 5 weight loss mistakes that can have a negative impact on getting the results you want.
#1 Cutting too many calories
Having a calorie deficit is crucial to losing weight; however, cutting out too many calories at once isn’t beneficial.
It might seem logical to cut your calorie intake from 2000 to 1200 per day because you’ll lose weight fast, right? Well, possibly, but you’re going to constantly feel tired, burn out, and hungry. Not to mention that it isn’t exactly healthy.
This isn’t sustainable and you’ll likely give up after a short period. Aim to reduce your calories by around 400-500kcal per day which can probably be achieved by cutting down on snacks and substituting some unhealthy items in your meals.
#2 Ignoring your water intake
One major mistake I notice people doing when trying to lose weight is ignoring drinking enough water.
Water has several benefits for weight loss. It limits your intake of other liquids, so reaching for your water bottle will stop you consuming a more unhealthy drink packed full of sugar.
Also, water works as a great appetite suppressant. If you’re getting that mid-afternoon urge to eat something sugary, drink some water instead.
#3 Chopping and changing different diet trends
Every so often a completely new ‘fad’ diet comes out that promises to be better than everything that has come before it.
The problem here is that 1) it might not work at all and 2) they don’t have much longevity so most people give up after a while.
My advice is to resist the urge to chop and change between different diets because you’ll be unlikely to stick at one long enough to see any progress. Stay with the tried and tested method of exercise combined with a calorie deficit.
#4 Focusing only on cardio
Speaking of exercise, I also see many people thinking that cardio is king.
Now, cardio is great for losing weight; however, it isn’t the be all and end all. You might remember that I blogged about Cardio v Weight Training – Which one is better for weight loss? – a while back.
A mix of both cardio and strength training will help you lose weight. Cardio will burn more calories per session, but strength training will help build muscle and reduce excess fat.
#5 Treating a setback as complete failure
While you might dream of shifting those extra pounds quickly, the reality is that healthy weight loss takes time.
Don’t take one setback as a complete failure of what you are doing. If you step onto the scales and realise you haven’t lost any weight in the past week, this shouldn’t be seen as a sign to give up.
Like every fitness goal, setbacks are there to learn from and should motivate you into working harder to achieve your weight loss targets.
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