The 6 Things Most People Get Wrong About Weight Loss
We all know that weight loss isn’t simple; it takes dedication to a healthier diet, a commitment [...]
Diet and Exercise Are Enough
Wrong! You can't just eat lean proteins and complex carbs and go for a run a few times a week and expect results. To completely harness our body's ability to lose weight, we need to take other factors into account. While eating well and keeping fit are integral to the weight loss journey, they aren't the whole journey.
prevnext6 Hours of Sleep is Fine
If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to look not just at how you're spending your waking hours, but your sleeping hours, too. "Lack of sleep can increase hunger and food intake," James says, and when you're famished from a lack of z's, you're not going to be reaching for the healthy snacks in the fridge. Sleep deprivation causes more activity in the reward centers of our brains and less in the parts that control impulses, meaning your brain is far more likely to reach for the leftover Halloween candy stashed in the cabinet. Aim for seven hours a night to ensure your body's hunger and food intake stays consistent.
prevnextGut Health Is a Fad
In the last few years, probiotic products like natural yogurts, kombucha and sauerkraut have seen a huge increase in popularity, but unlike the kale phenomenon of 2013, this isn't a fad. The reason people are snacking on yogurt and sipping on kombucha is because these foods promote a healthy gut microbiome, and a healthy gut is essential for weight loss. Bad gut bacteria can extract more calories from food, interfere with fat burning, and change appetite signals. In short, "The wrong composition of gut bacteria can slow weight loss." Make sure you're including plenty of probiotic foods in your diet to keep your gut healthy.
prevnextMedication Doesn’t Matter
Ever noticed how even the dentist always asks what medication you're on? That's because medications can affect everything from our teeth to weight loss, and knowing their side effects is essential for total health. If you're on certain types of birth control or antidepressants, side effects can include weight gain, so it's important to speak to your medical practitioner if you've noticed an increase in your weight or difficulty losing weight while on these prescriptions.
» Read More: Get The Skinny On Anti-Depressants and Weight Gain
prevnextEmotions and Weight Loss are Unconnected
While it's difficult to measure the exact effect our emotions have on our weight, there is plenty of evidence that people can gain or lose weight according to their emotions. Grief, for example, can cause serious gained or lost weight, so if you're experiencing intense emotions or have been through a traumatic experience, it's important to seek help. Find a support group, meet up with a therapist, or even talk to a friend, because as James says, "If emotions are stuck inside you, the weight can also stay stuck." Letting your emotions out can help you feel lighter both mentally and physically.
prevnextInflammation Aint’ No Thang
James notes that among the most common causes of inflammation are diet and food sensitivities. When we come into contact with something that doesn't agree with our body, our levels of cortisol are raised, which spurs long-term fat storage in the body, leading to weight gain. Over time, if you continue coming into contact with whatever is aggravating your body, that weight can stick around and become hard to shift. To solve this, try an elimination diet to see what's causing the adverse effects and eliminate those foods from your diet.
Make sure to keep these 6 things in mind for your weight loss journey. You'll be happier, healthier, and you'll be able to lose weight and keep it off.
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