Losing weight is not an easy task. It takes a lot more than patience and determination to lose those kilos which are making you unhealthy and putting your image down. In the course of losing weight, many people tend to commit some mistakes which instead lead to weight gain! If you are trying to lose or shed that excess weight, here are a few common dieting mistakes that you need to avoid making…
Soft corner for Low fat foods
‘Low fat food’, allures all those individuals who want to lose weight. It is gaining wide popularity as the demand from the diet conscious, is increasing.
But does low fat food really work for weight loss? The answer is No, says, Dr. Shweta Iyengyar, a well known Nutritionist, “No doubt low calorie foods are low in fats, but to compensate the taste they are made using extra sugar and Trans fats which results in the addition of more calories. In fact, low fat foods generally give empty calories and are not at all healthy“. So the next time when you venture out to enjoy your low fat Ice cream, thinking that you won’t put on weight, get your facts right!
But then what is the best way out? The answer is simple: ‘Control your portion size instead of increasing your calorie intake’.
Dr. Iyengyar, further adds, “Weight loss should not include calorie deficit, so instead of opting for these foods one can rather apply the same concept at home and cook meals. Adding less ghee and sugar while preparing meals will help you in managing your calorie intake thereby avoid weight gain.”
Don’t ignore Liquid calories
If you think you gain weight only through solid foods that you consume then you are mistaken. Even liquid intake can lead to weight gain thereby hampering your weight loss plans. For weight loss, it is pertinent for you to keep a tab on liquid calories.
Dr Iyengar explains, “Any food which has a high nutritional value as compared to its caloric content is healthy for the body but foods that are high on the caloric content, but low on nutritional value can lead to weight gain. For instance, having tea is fine, but having tea with a lot of sugar in it, can be bad for you.”
So the next time you think of having a glass of juice or your favorite coffee loaded with cream and sugar, beware! You might just be adding on to your calories, instead of burning them. Simple way to cut down liquid calories is to prefer tea and coffee with less sugar and to limit the intake of aerated drinks. Also it is advisable to avoid packaged fruit juices even if they promise to be 100% pure with no added preservatives. Instead, opt for fresh fruit juices, preferably prepared at home or better still, grab a whole fruit.
Expecting immediate results
Losing weight is a challenge and to lose weight you need to be patient. Many people follow healthy diets, exercise regularly but when they do not see the difference in a short span of time, they usually give up.
Remember, ‘Rome was not built in a day’. Weight loss requires time, patience and perseverance. Even if you lose one or two kilos in a month, take it positively - as a feat you achieved. It is only through constant efforts and patience along with proper diet that you can lose weight.
Fasting
Fasting does not guarantee weight loss!
You have a wedding to attend next month and you want to look your best. Everything else is in place, but your only problem is that obstinate flab that just refuses to go off your body! But if you think fasting is a quick and sure shot way of losing the unwanted kilos you have piled up, then you are wrong.
Religious fasting for a day or two is not harmful for the body but regular fasting can invite a lot of health problems. Lack of food causes the body to go into the starvation mode, wherein it utilizes energy from your muscles. Moreover, when you fast, you miss out on the essential dietary requirement, making the body weak and nutrient deficient. So, don’t consider fasting as a quick way of getting in shape.
Skipping meals
“I don’t eat my lunch. I avoid it, to cut down on my calories so that I can lose weight”.
Losing weight by skipping meals is unhealthy and not advisable. People who generally skip their meals – be it breakfast or lunch – tend to eat more during dinner, as the body needs fuel in the form of food after regular intervals to carry out its functions. Skipping meals slows down your metabolism and weakens the immune system. It also leads to binging or overeating, resulting in weight gain instead of weight loss!
So if you are trying any of the above options for weight loss, then it’s you stopped, and instead, chose a healthy way out!
