By: Annie Morgan
With the new year rolling in, if you’re like many folks you have weight loss goals you hope to knock out of the park.
But what often happens is your plan to get fit falls flat, as you unknowingly sabotage your weight loss goals before you even start.
The good news is, if you can identify these behaviors ahead of time, you can set yourself up to avoid these common weight loss pitfalls.
Here are a few ways you might be sabotaging your own health – and here are a few tips to help you get back on track.
You Are A Midnight Snacker
Maybe you maintain good eating habits all day, but can’t seem to break away from the fridge during the middle of the night.
From carb binges to sugar-filled treats – chances are you are barely awake as you pound back these treats in the middle of the night.
Not only are you eating more than you probably realize, but you aren’t giving your digestive system a break.
By constantly eating, your body is forced to work to digest the food.
Instead, commit to a plan like intermittent fasting, and give up eating after 8 pm at the absolute latest.
If you wake up hungry – you might just be dehydrated and a glass of water should do the trick.
When your body is hungry – fill it with what it actually needs – and it’s not a late-night trip to the fridge.
You Self-Sabotage
One of the ways to hurt your weight loss goals is to set unrealistic expectations like “I’m going to lose 30lbs in the next month” or “I’m going to work out 2 hours every day” (especially when you barely work out now).
Start off slow.
If you aren’t used to going to the gym – commit to 2 times per week for 30 minutes each day, then slowly build up your endurance.
And don’t set drastic weight loss goals that aren’t achievable.
Not only will you become discouraged, but the lack of progress is actually debilitating.
You Turn To Fads
Marketers have a field day appealing to people’s desire to be thin.
They promise the “latest and greatest” toy to help you lose weight.
From wrapping your body in saran wrap, to paying up to thousands of dollars for weight loss pills, people are going broke trying to get thin.
Instead of just eating healthy and working out, people are fasting on liquid only diets, and even buying machines promising to help you “get thin from the couch” by “massaging your muscles.”
But there are no secrets or quick fixes to true health.
It is a result of daily decisions and eating habits you live out.
So if you have a goal to lose weight this year – take it one day at a time.
Give up sugar and carbs, and do not eat processed foods.
And don’t forget to maintain an active lifestyle!
When it comes to weight loss done the right way, slow and steady always has the best chance of lasting success.
Do you have a plan to lose weight this year?
Which of these sabotaging behaviors do you struggle with the most?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this article with your friends and family to let them know 3 ways they may be sabotaging their own weight loss goals!
