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One of the most common New Year’s resolutions made every year is to lose weight and get healthy. Though everyone has good intentions when these goals are set, most start the process in January and by mid to late February are left feeling discouraged. One of the main causes for this feeling of disappointment is the “up and down” results that sometimes come with trying to adapt to a new lifestyle.
The Rollercoaster of Weight Loss
The first two weeks you’re inspired, trying new things, developing better diet and exercise routines. You’re charting gradual progress. Then a few more weeks pass and those 2-3 pounds you were used to shedding every week are starting to creep back. Next thing you know, you’re at your original weight and have no idea what to do.
What must be understood about any weight loss journey is that it’s a learning process that will involve some topsy-turvy roads. Seeing as how there are a plethora of factors that could explain why you’re gaining weight on a diet, it becomes imperative to evaluate what you’re putting in your body as well as other outside factors that could be affecting your goals to lose weight. Below are some of the most common.
Sugar
If you give up or reduce your intake of cake, cookies, and other sweet treats you’d think your battle with sugar would be over, however, this isn’t the case. Sugar is by far one of the biggest culprits for weight gain and since it is a popular and addictive ingredient, you can find it in just about any products – including those health products you’ve been indulging in.
The next time you decide to make a strawberry protein shake, blend up a smoothie with fresh fruits, or eat a protein or granola bar from the health store, take a look at the amount of sugar present in them. Though these all seem like healthy alternatives to cakes, sodas, and cookies, they can sometimes contain just as much sugar. Try to stick to products with no sugars or artificial sweeteners and you could begin to see a difference in your ability to lose weight.
Portions
Watching what you eat is one thing but being mindful of how much you’re eating is another and they are both equally imperative to continual weight loss and improved health. Though salads are great for you, if you’re eating an entire bag of salad with 2-3 boiled eggs, 2 chicken breasts, some other veggies, and a ton of salad dressing, you’re defeating the purpose because you’re consuming too many calories AND you’re adding a ton of other things to your salad like chicken, cheese, and salad dressing which increase your intake of sodium and other additives that aren’t the best for you.
If you have a hard time determining how much is too much, investing in portion control containers and cooking utensils is recommended. By using these tools you’re less tempted to eat more than your body needs. With the right portions of the right foods, you should start to see your body improve for the better.
Medications
Many people decide that it’s time to start losing weight or get healthier because of a pre-existing medical condition that they’d like to improve or eliminate from their lives. However, if your medical condition requires you to take medication, it can’t hurt to take a look at the side effects label. There are a lot of commonly prescribed medications that can cause weight gain or pack on the water weight that you may not be aware of.
If you believe it is your medication, do not stop taking them. Instead, talk with your doctor about your experience. They can then determine whether it is in your best interest to prescribe something new or provide you with additional advice to counteract the side effect.
If the start of the new year inspired you to change your health habits, then be encouraged to follow-through. The weight loss journey is different for everyone and can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster. If you start to feel stagnated with your results, assess some of the above-mentioned factors and try to make adjustments where you can. If this doesn’t result in a better outcome, talk with a nutritionist or your doctor about your experiences to find out if there are other things that need to be addressed.
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This is a featured post by site supporter Anne Davis
Photo: Getty Images
Editor’s note: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. If you have any health concern, see a licensed healthcare professional in person.