Quit Doing These 3 Things if You’re Desperate to Lose Weight

Approximately half of all Americans say they’re trying to lose weight.

Losing weight can be stressful and even confusing. But some individuals may be trying all the wrong things when it comes to weight loss.

Sometimes it’s the simple, basic habits that need to be formed or broken that make all the difference.

Here are three things stop doing if you’re desperate to lose weight.

1. Setting Unrealistic Goals

One of the main reasons weight loss fails involves unrealistic goals. Many individuals, motivated to lose big, set expectations that are much too high. While setting goals is positive, hasty ones can be harmful in the long run.

The solution is to set smaller, more manageable goals. Doing less, in general, can be surprisingly effective in losing weight. This is because being kinder on yourself has health benefits.

Stress releases a hormone called cortisol which can cause weight gain. You may be taking on unnecessary stress when you set goals you will never be able to reach.

That’s why it’s best to remove negative energy and try to focus on the positive. A better outlook can go a long way in helping you stay motivated and focused.

One way to do this is to stop telling yourself not to do certain things and focusing on potential failure. Instead, revel in what you can do. Rather than saying you can’t eat carbs, allow yourself to have a small side portion with your dinner.

2. Drinking

Many people find that they’re eating right and working out but not losing weight. A lot of the time, individuals may overlook a major factor in weight gain: alcohol.

One of the simplest ways to lose weight is to cut drinking out of your life. Consuming alcohol makes it more difficult to metabolize and lose fat. In general, beer and other drinks are high in sugar and calories.

You may find you want to cut down on drinking or quit altogether. If you plan on quitting, there are strategies for staying sober in every circumstance.

Heavy-drinkers may find it difficult to cut out alcohol from their life. But there are plenty of ways to stop drinking. Like any other habit, it’s a matter of rewiring your perspective and lifestyle.

3. Choosing Extreme Diets

In an effort to lose weight fast, many people adopt drastic new diets. The truth is, these can be ineffective or only effective in the short-term.

When it comes to losing weight, it’s all about moderation. Eating less is actually more important than working out in terms of weight loss. But, there’s no reason to deprive yourself of food.

It’s best to eat well-portioned, frequent meals. This will prevent overeating and give you energy throughout the day to exercise.

Workouts will make you hungry because you’re burning more calories. That’s why it’s important to remember not to overeat following a workout. Instead, try eating low-calorie snacks or healthy lean protein.

You can avoid unhelpful, extreme diets by planning and preparing meals ahead of time. Having a healthy snack on hand will also help you avoid temptation in certain situations.

Other Tips for Those Desperate to Lose Weight

These three tips are a great place to start for anyone who’s desperate to lose weight and to lose it now.

But there are other things to keep in mind when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. For more articles on health and self-improvement, check out our blog.