6 Things You May Not Know About Weight Loss

Weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight is no easy task. It can be a real struggle mainly because weight loss does not follow any specific principles. What many people do not understand is that there is no “one size fits all” weight loss plan. There are so many things to take into account and it is very easy to get things wrong. Many misconceptions surround weight loss, and therefore, it becomes important to properly understand what it truly entails.

It is safe to say that alongside other elements, weight loss is mainly founded on the calories that you ingest through food, and the calories you lose through exercise. However, it involves more than this. It is also significantly influenced by factors such as age, environment, fitness, genetics, and underlying health issues. Having a proper grasp of this will enable you to select a weight loss plan that you can stick to, and one that will give you the best results based on your personal needs and objectives. With all the information and advice available online concerning weight loss, you should be selective on what you choose to follow. Below are some of the things you may have missed about weight loss:

1. Your Lifestyle Matters

For any changes you make, it is important for you to make corresponding changes to your lifestyle. This is because it helps you understand what improvements or reductions you can accommodate. For example, creating a diet or regular meal plan will not be very effective if you indulge in alcohol and substance abuse. The reason is that alcohol and weight loss do not go well together. Therefore, you should consider your lifestyle and any changes possible before adopting a weight loss plan.

2. Comparison Is Dangerous 

One of your biggest downfalls will be comparing yourself to others. Constantly checking your progress against the achievement of others will downgrade your efforts. The best thing to do is to gauge your own progress by checking how close you are in achieving your weight loss objectives. Focus on yourself and what you do and you will find yourself slowly gaining momentum.

3. Weight Loss Plateaus 

The weight loss journey is full of ups and downs, as well as points of stagnation. It is important to note that physiologically, your body will shield you more from weight loss than form weight gain. This means that there will be periods of varied weight loss. It would not be possible to lose the same amount of weight every week because no two weeks are ever the same. Keenly evaluating these differences, you will be more prepared for the coming weeks.

4. Sleeping Habits 

You might be working hard trying to stick to your diet and regularly exercising, but still, struggle with weight loss. Not getting enough sleep creates hormonal changes within your body, causing increased appetite and higher stress levels. Therefore, try as much as possible to get more sleep. Improve your sleep patterns and create time in your busy schedule for yourself. It will help lower your stress levels and contribute to the fulfillment of your weight loss goals.

5. Not Always About The Scales 

When working on your weight loss goals, it is important to understand that this is not the only benefit. Improving your dieting and workout habits will also create benefits such as better sleep, more energy, less stress, and better general wellbeing. Although the numbers you see on the scales may frustrate you, you should remember that losing a lot of weight is not the only sign that you are making progress.

6. It Does Not Happen Immediately 

The weight that you are trying to lose was accumulated over a period of time. Therefore, expecting immediate results will dishearten you. This is a long-term undertaking to maintain a healthy weight and to improve your overall health. Therefore, working at it with this understanding will help keep off the weight for good.