There is nothing more frustrating than believing you’re moving closer to your weight loss goal, only to step on the scale and see that you haven’t lost an ounce or worse yet that you’ve gained more weight!  You’re not alone. The great majority of people in the United States aren’t well informed of the pitfalls that prevent successful and sustainable weight loss.  Avoiding the following common weight loss blunders can put you on track toward achieving your ideal weight. 

1. Eating the incorrect number of calories: Losing weight requires burning more Calories than you consume, however eating too few calories can result in loss of muscle and a significant slowdown in metabolism.  A study done in the New England Journal of Medicine found that people were taking in substantially more calories than they reported, which resulted directly in weight gain.  When trying to lose weight, it’s important to accurately measure portions and include every food and beverage that passes your lips.

1. Believing in a magic weight loss pill:   Let’s face the facts, if there were a magic pill, we wouldn’t have adult obesity rates of between 25% and 35% in 46 U.S. states. The only effective way to sustain long term weight loss is to make a lifestyle change, which includes decreasing caloric intake and increasing physical activity. 

1. Not drinking enough water:  Getting in the habit of drinking water is one of the easiest ways to lose weight.  Not only does water help to burn more calories, but it also decreases appetite.  Try drinking a full glass of water before each meal or snack. 

1. Getting less than seven hours of sleep per night: Getting too little Sleep has been shown to slow down metabolism and affect the production of hunger controlling hormones. Therefore, less sleep increases  hunger resulting in consuming more calories that are burned at a slower rate.  

1. Completely cutting out carbs:  Cutting out carbs may initially reduce calorie intake, but it can also leave you feeling deprived of energy, leading to missed workouts and grabbing sugary snacks for a quick energy boost. In moderation, carbs help to keep your energy level stable and your appetite satiated so that you stay away from the wrong foods.

1. Letting marketing labels lead your grocery shopping decisions:  You may presume that items labeled low-fat, sugar free, or non-fat are automatically going to boost your weight loss. Don’t be fooled by these marketing driven Labels. Many of them are unregulated and can be misleading.  Read nutritional labels to be sure you know what you’re eating.

Avoiding these simple mistakes can seriously boost your weight loss efforts, but there are many more tricks of the trade that the experts at Medifast Weight Control Centers can share with you.

Call today for your complimentary consultation to find out how Medifast’s compassionate professionals can help you achieve your weight loss goal.