What to Do When Your Weight Loss Diet Seems Not Working
When it comes to taking weight off, many want big results right away but which does not happen. You may have heard of some people who diet but end up gaining back the weight they lost. Almost all kinds of diets lead to weight loss because they serve up fewer calories that a dieter must do.
Perhaps you keep asking yourself "Why did my diet fail?" "Is there something I can do to be successful next time?" Actually, you can make failed diets work.
1) Stop Starving Yourself
Normally, women follow a particular diet to lose weight. Because most of them think about weight loss in terms of cutting calories instead of burning them up, they go for "starvation diets."
The worst thing is when they follow a meal plan that provides fewer than 800 calories each day -- which may not give them the energy needed for a regular physical activity.
Don't deprive your body. When your system is deprived of what it needs, the tendency would be a reduced metabolic rate. It will fail its course to losing weight and lead to weight gain, instead.
The best diets offer a balancing act of not stressing the body while in the process of reducing weight. When you are feeding your body of what it rightfully needs, it helps keep your motivations high without the feeling of starvation that often makes you want to quit.
Change your perspective. Instead of fretting on what you're not allowed to eat, tell yourself you can have that food if it brings you the most satisfaction. Here's a great example of a meal plan with the best foods to burn fat. The 28-Days to Lean Meal Plan
Losing weight healthily requires the use of more energy than you consume by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Since you are increasing physical activity, this must be coupled with a diet that offers fewer calories.
By understanding the body’s caloric needs and the number of calories that can be expended through aerobic exercise, you will learn how to lose weight without starving. With effort and care, you will get closer to the waistline you like.
2) Eat Frequently - It Helps
That's true.
If you eat adequately, you don't experience prolonged hunger, meaning, there's no starving yourself. Don't skip meals. If you have heard of eating small meals every two to three hours, or six times per day... they are real and helpful. You can even add one or two healthy snacks to your day.
It may sound an increase of intake, but don't worry, not only will your metabolism get the boost it needs to restart your weight loss, but your body may be burning more fat and preserving lean muscle mass. This will eventually keep you strong while encouraging the weight to stay off.
What about desserts?
The truth, experts say, is that you can be on a weight loss diet and enjoy some sweets too, provided that you "cheat" sensibly. In fact, allowing yourself to indulge in a dessert you like helps keep you on track.
Too much straight eating denies you your favorite foods and can be depriving. Worse yet, it may increase your cravings and make you defocused. When your body doesn't feel deprived of food, you're less likely to overrestrict yourself. The result is, it can work better at burning the calories you consume than storing them as fat.
3) Combine Moderate and Vigorous Activities
The key to successful weight loss is a combination of a healthy diet and exercise. If you embrace a weight loss plan without wanting to exercise then definitely, your weight loss goals will fail.
Incorporating a good exercise that you enjoy can help you stick to your diet. Why? Because in losing weight, the number of calories your body "burns off" or uses for energy increases when you exercise more, which leads to weight loss by creating a "calorie deficit" between the number of calories you burn and the number of calories you consume.
Since the body is designed to move, inactivity leads to a gain of weight which then makes it harder to engage in physical activity. Moving the body, be it going to and from places to transporting items that exert the muscles, is important for weight loss.
Even walking to your car in the parking area or taking the stairs instead of an elevator are all forms of good activity. Did you know that dancing is good? Do you run? Do yoga?
Don't ignore a regular exercise. It is your main highway to make your heart beat -- not only good for the heart but increases the rate at which your body burns calories. This helps you see results faster than diet alone.
Believe it or not, the most successful weight loss plans are those that combine a good eating lifestyle and exercise. When you do it with fun, you become happier with your results.
4) Don't Be Discouraged
Weight loss is something that’s not easy to obtain because it is not at a steady pace. There will be slowdowns or bumps along the way that will make you feel discouraged. This happens especially when you are trying so hard.
Sometimes the best-laid plans can go off the course. Note that all these are but a part of the endeavor. Just because you can't eat an entire cake like you used to doesn’t mean you totally blew it.
Don't let distractions lead you off the right road. Focus more. Feel the benefits of sweating out. Be proud of what you have done. Tell yourself you will reach that goal. Beating the dictates of negativity will help you make progress.
The Trick
Stick with a meal plan what works for you. Stressing yourself by eating foods that you don't enjoy will only aggravate the situation.
Remember that if you enjoy what you eat and you allow your body to enjoy the food you are eating, you're on your way to getting your desired results faster. But don't forget that you should know how much food to eat in general, and always watch your calorie intake.
Hope that answers why your diet failed. Do you have other questions? I would love to help find answers. Good luck!
My Recommended Readings
- Exercise to Lose Weight: How Much Is Needed?
Not sure how much exercise per day to lose weight? See weight loss exercise recommendations per day and per week to lose weight and prevent regain. - Calorie Calculator - Daily Caloric Needs
Calculates your daily caloric needs based on physical activity, height, weight. - Simple Exercises To Slim Your Waist | Firm Your Butt | Tone Your Thighs
How you can firm up your saggy bum, eliminate excess fat from your stomach and slim your thighs.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2011 Tonette Fornillos
Comments
Tonette Fornillos (author) from The City of Generals on June 20, 2012:
That's right tjdavis, and putting your mind and heart to what you are doing makes working out a lot better, alot more fun and a lot healthier. Thanks for dropping by. Best wishes.
Teresa Davis from Moscow, Texas on June 19, 2012:
Great hub. Eating frequently, drinking at least a gallon of water a day and getting 30 minutes of exercise a day is the only way to lose weight.
Tonette Fornillos (author) from The City of Generals on June 02, 2012:
It's what most experts advice. Now you can even be lovelier both in heart and body! I'm glad my hub has helped you. In my case, I'm wishing to gain a little weight, and since that it's my tummy protruding rather than my body shaping up, I was inspired to put this hub up. Thank you for your kind words, Michelle. You too, be blessed.
Michelle Simtoco from Cebu, Philippines on June 02, 2012:
Tonipet, this is so true esp. that a few weeks ago I met with a nutritionist. So when I read this I was nodding my head understanding this topic better of why we burn more when we eat small meals but regularly. I want to lose weight a bit...so excited to see the results without starving myself. God bless you :)
Tonette Fornillos (author) from The City of Generals on March 18, 2012:
Thank you Dolores. You prove how small meals go better than large meals all the time. The "sluggish" thing, yes I too had that feeling while trying to gain weight at some point, I embraced eating large meals three times a day and that reminded me of the sluggish feeling. Now that I'm in my 40's I've learned the habit of small meals and probably one large meal a day during lunch. At least it saves me from belly fats, haha. You're right, small frequent meals do the trick. Thanks again.
Cheers and blessings!
Dolores Monet from East Coast, United States on March 18, 2012:
Eating lots of small meals also seems to keep the energy level up. Large meals seem to make me sluggish. Any time I want to lose weight, I find those small frequent meals really do the trick.
Tonette Fornillos (author) from The City of Generals on August 25, 2011:
Thank you ciranoushj,nice name. You are the most perfect example of how helpful "eating fequently" is to make a diet work. Not all mothers have the same figure that you have. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience. It sure will motivate other moms that eating frequently (the correct foods, yes) may work for them too. You're an awesome Mom! Lovely photo. -Toni
ciranoushj on August 24, 2011:
The "eating frequently" tip in your hub should be mandetory reading for everyone trying to lose weight. After my second child and wanting to get rid of the lbs, eating regulary (the correct foods) was the key for me. Nice hub and info.
