Losing weight can be a challenging and frustrating experience, especially when you feel like you’re doing everything right but still not seeing results.
However, sometimes even seemingly healthy choices can unknowingly hinder your progress.
By avoiding certain common mistakes, you may be able to overcome the obstacles standing in the way of your weight loss goals.
Check out these 5 mistakes you should avoid when trying to lose weight.
1. Choosing the Low or Reduced-Fat Option
It seems so simple: less fat per serving means less fat for you.
However, beware, when processed food brands take out the fat, they tend to pack in the sugar instead—and sugar is the ultimate way to slow down your results.
Better to avoid the processed food section altogether, and go for fresh, whole foods, like baby carrots and hummus, to snack on instead.
2. Eating a lot of fruits
Although natural and packed with nutrients, fruit should be treated more like healthy candy than a staple when losing weight.
It contains high levels of fructose, which although natural, still qualifies as a sugar and can certainly be a reason the pounds aren’t coming off quickly.
If you’re serious about the weight-loss game, a smarter alternative to that piece of fruit is a serving of veggies.
3. Not drinking enough water
Water is a top-notch weight loss buddy for so many reasons: it aids in digestion, reduces appetite, and is sugar and calorie-free.
A common mistake when losing weight is to opt for juice, which is naturally sugary and can even spark your appetite. Even if it’s freshly squeezed, water is always the better option.
And to boot, drinking a glass of ice water burns eight calories!
4. Cutting down on cardio
Nothing against weight training here, but the reason you may not be seeing the results you want at the gym is lack of cardio in your workout.
Weights are great for building muscle, but without at least 15-30 minutes of cardio included to jumpstart fat burning, you may just be building that muscle underneath a layer of fat that’s not going anywhere.
5. Going too far with your cheat days
If a cheat meal is part of your weekly routine, it’s never a good idea to go too hard.
Why pack on extra calories you can live without? Every decision to skip that cheeseburger (or maybe just take off the bun) is a step closer to reaching your goal.