Weight loss requires consistency and dedication. However, if you are suffering from conditions like Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) shedding those extra kilos can be extremely difficult. However, studies suggest weight loss of just 5 percent can lead to a significant improvement in PCOS.
Recently, a woman named Sujata lost 38 kgs in just 10 months despite having PCOS. She frequently shares insights from her journey on Instagram. In her latest post, she revealed 10 common mistakes people make while trying to lose weight.
“I wish someone had told me this earlier so that I wouldn’t have made these mistakes on my weight loss journey,” she wrote in the post. In the caption, she shared some common mistakes people make while trying to lose weight.
Here are some common mistakes people make in their weight loss journey:
- Focusing Only on Weight: Relying solely on the scale to track progress can be misleading, as weight fluctuates due to factors like water retention, muscle gain, and hormones. Progress photos, measurements, and how you feel are better indicators.
- Skipping Meals or Severely Restricting Calories: Extremely low-calorie diets can slow your metabolism, lead to muscle loss, and increase the likelihood of binge eating.
- Overdoing Cardio and Ignoring Strength Training: Excessive cardio without strength training can lead to muscle loss. Building muscle boosts your metabolism and enhances fat loss.
- Relying on Fad Diets: Diets that eliminate entire food groups or promote rapid weight loss often result in short-term results and can be unsustainable, leading to weight regain.
- Neglecting Protein Intake: Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, and it helps keep you fuller longer. A low-protein diet may slow your progress.
- Not Eating Enough Healthy Fats: Cutting out all fats can negatively affect hormone regulation and overall health. Include healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
- Ignoring Sleep and Stress: Poor sleep and high stress can disrupt hormones like cortisol, which can lead to cravings and fat storage, especially around the belly.
- Overestimating Calorie Burn: Many people overestimate how many calories they burn during exercise and compensate by overeating.
- Mindless Eating: Eating while distracted or snacking throughout the day can lead to consuming more calories than you realize.
- Not Drinking Enough Water: Dehydration can be mistaken for hunger, leading to unnecessary eating. Water also helps with digestion and metabolism.
“By avoiding these mistakes and focusing on a balanced, sustainable approach, you’re more likely to achieve long-term success in your weight loss journey,” she said.
Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition. Consult a doctor before starting any new routine or diet.