Why Am I Not Losing Weight?
One of the most commonly asked questions from our clients is, “Why am I not losing weight if I’m doing everything right?” For some people, losing weight is just effortless. It’s annoying, but a few tweaks to the diet and a regular jog on the treadmill can be enough to significantly tip the scale for some (lucky) people. For the rest of us, it takes intentional effort and although well-meaning, we may not being doing “everything right” like we think we are. We’ve compiled some good rule-of-thumb tips to help keep you on track when it comes to the battle with the scale. Before we get started, take a deep breath and remember: the ultimate goal is to lose fat and gain muscle, and sometimes that isn’t reflected on scale like we want.
Eat More Protein
One of the most important things you can eat when trying to lose weight is more lean protein. Protein will boost your metabolism, help reduce cravings, and can even help prevent future weight gain. Start your mornings off with protein balls, oatmeal, eggs or smoked salmon.
Cut Calories
If you have hit a plateau with weight loss, make sure you are keeping a close eye on your caloric intake. You don’t need to count every calorie for the rest of your life, but keeping a food log for at least a week can be very eye opening. Did you realize one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil has almost 120 calories? When you’re cooking with it at least twice a day, this can really add up. Also, a single 5 oz. glass of red wine generally contains around 130 calories! Your calories may be adding up without you even realizing it, and this ultimately will affect your weight.
Select the Right Carbs
Believe it or not, carbs aren’t completely evil. We all know carbs are the first to get booted when dieting (bye, pizza and pasta!) but your body needs carbs to adequately do its job and that includes your overall health, energy and helping you lose weight. Berries, spinach, avocado and peaches all contain carbs but are important to include in your diet. Make sure you are also reaching for low-carb vegetables like cucumber, celery, broccoli, asparagus and peppers.
