You Overindulge On Healthy Foods - Whole wheat pasta, dark chocolate, nuts, olive oil, and avocados are healthy and all natural, but they aren't without calories. You still need to be aware of how much you consume of the good stuff. For example, avocado offers a number of health benefits, but the whole fruit is over 200 calories.
You Focus Solely On Cardio - If you work out on the treadmill every day but never pick up a dumbbell, then you're excluding one of the most essential components of the fitness puzzle. Not only does resistance training help strengthen the joints and prevent injury, but it also builds lean muscle and boosts your metabolism. Therefore, you'll keep burning lots of calories all day long thanks to your revved-up metabolism.
You Don't Drink Enough Water - Drinking water on a regular basis not only helps to detoxify your body and keep you hydrated but can also aid with weight loss. Try drinking a full glass or two of water before a meal to help with portion control, or consume foods, like fruits and vegetables, that contain a lot of water to control your appetite so you eat less. Drinking cold water, especially, can also help to speed up your metabolism and reduce your cravings for sugary foods and drinks, according to a small study.
You Leave Out Entire Food Groups - Leaving out entire food groups can cause a nutritional deficiency - not to mention elicit major cravings for the food you eliminated. So, instead of cutting out all carbohydrates, focus on whole grains and don't forget to monitor your portions. Usually it's going for that second helping that adds the pounds, not necessarily the pasta itself.
You Don't Get Enough Sleep - Making time for exercising can mean less time for sleep, but it's critical that you get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep, especially if your goal is to lose weight. You'll also need the extra energy to stay on top of your workout routine, and not getting adequate Z's can cause your body to increase appetite-stimulating hormones.
You're Inconsistent With Your Diet - Whether you're on Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or your own exercise and healthy eating plan, you can't do it halfheartedly and expect to see positive results. So, if you want to see the pounds drop from the scale, you need to stay committed to your plan.
You're Not Eating Enough Veggies - Consuming at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies per day is very important for everyone, but dieters who fill half their plates with produce are more likely to lose weight and keep it off. Also, regular consumption of plant-based foods are more nutrient- dense with fewer calories and all that fiber keeps the body feeling fuller longer.
You Don't Eat Breakfast - You may think you're saving calories by skipping breakfast, but what you're really doing is causing your body to hold onto fat because it thinks it's being starved. You jump-start your metabolism and lose more weight if you eat breakfast each morning. Don't just grab a doughnut or a bagel either; include protein to give you lasting energy and fiber to fill you up for hours. If you're in a hurry, try a bowl of oatmeal with your favorite whey or whole-food protein powder mixed in.
You're Not Watching Your Portions! - In addition to a balanced diet, portion control is one of the keys to weight loss success. Keep spoons and measuring cups on hand, or use a food scale to ensure that your portions are correct, and listen to your body's "I'm full" signal so you know when to stop eating and continue on with your day.
You Don't Keep Track Of What You Eat - To more accurately monitor your daily caloric intake, you need to write it down! If you don't think it's worth the effort, many studies have shown that those who were the most successful at losing weight permanently kept a close eye on their food intake by keeping a journal.
