Why You Are Not Losing Weight

Obviously, if you’re not making your health and weight a priority, then it’s going to be difficult to lose the extra pounds you’ve been carrying around with you. That being said, you may think you’re doing everything right (dieting, exercising etc.), but the scale still won’t budge. Why are you not losing weight, and what can you do to drop the pounds?

 

Get Enough Sleep

Most weight loss programs focus on nutrition and exercise while neglecting other aspects such as sleep. However, if you’re not getting at least eight hours of shut-eye every night, then you’re sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Sleep is necessary for your body in order to feel well rested.

If you don’t sleep enough, your body will try to get the extra energy by loading up on calories. That’s why new moms who wake up often with their newborn tend to need snacks at night (especially if they’re nursing). The hours you spend snoozing are not wasted. You really will feel more rested and productive the next day, which helps you achieve other goals as well.

Eat Enough Protein

When you’re on a diet, it’s possible to limit your food intake too much. If you’re constantly hungry, then you’re either not eating enough or not eating the right kinds of foods, or possibly both. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to the dilemma: you should eat more protein. Whether you choose to eat scrambled eggs, beans, or meat, protein will help you build muscle mass, feel full, and lose the fat much better than a diet that’s based on mostly carbohydrates.

Of course, eating protein exclusively is not a good idea. Your body still needs the vitamins and minerals that come from eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. The bottom line is: while it’s important to pay attention to what you eat, it’s not a good idea to restrict calories too much.

Exercise Just Enough

There can be too much of a good thing even when it comes to exercise. Whether you’re running or lifting weights, you don’t need to do both every day. In fact, you will build endurance and muscle mass sooner if you let your body rest in between. Besides, it’s easy to get worn out and stop exercising altogether when you push yourself too hard, especially at the beginning. When it comes to exercise, you should also try to find an activity that you actually enjoy in order to keep it up over time.