Maintaining a healthy weight is tough. It gets harder as we get older and can be more difficult if we have health conditions, mental health issues, or mobility problems that make exercise more difficult. Most of us start a diet or change our eating habits at some point to combat weight gain or to help us to maintain when our weight is starting to fluctuate. If we’re lucky, the changes that we make quickly take hold and the pounds start to drop. But this isn’t always the case. If you are trying hard, but you can’t seem to lose weight, here are some things that you should do.
Forget the Bathroom Scales, Focus on the Kitchen
If you are frustrated with your diet, you might have started to weigh yourself more often. But this can only lead to further frustration and inaccurate readings. Step away from the bathroom scales for a while. However, if you are being careful and still not losing weight, using your kitchen scales more can be a good idea. Most of us are very bad at portion control and eat far more than the recommended portion sizes. Weighing ingredients and foods for a week can help you to become more aware of how much you should be eating.
See a Dietician
Calorie counting is a common weight loss tool, but it can be very misleading as not all calories are equal. 2000 calories of fat and sugar is a lot less filling and nutritious than 2000 calories of lean proteins, fibre, and complex carbs. A registered dietitian can help you to understand what your body needs, which foods will help you to meet those needs, and even things like when you should eat to best support good gut health and well-being.
Another common mistake is thinking that we’re all the same and that all diets will work for all people. A dietician can help you to find the right eating plan for your specific needs and lifestyle. Make an appointment at a site like greenlightnutrition.co.uk.
Get the Balance Between Exercise and Diet Right
There are a few mistakes that we make when it comes to weight loss and exercise. Many people incorrectly believe that they can lose weight and maintain the loss without exercise. Others end up overeating after exercise because they feel hungrier, or because they think that they can.
If you aren’t used to exercising, start with things like walking and swimming, and build up slowly. If you already do a lot of exercises, consider increasing the intensity and pushing yourself harder, or adding new workouts to your routine.
When it comes to eating after a workout, it’s normal to feel a little hungrier if your body has worked harder than usual but try to snack on healthy foods and things like eggs, fruit, and oats, which will boost your energy levels and aid recovery.
Often the key to weight loss is awareness. Try to eat mindfully, only eating when you are hungry, stopping when you are full, and paying attention to how much you are eating. If you are struggling, a dietician can help.