3 Sneaky Reasons Your Diets Never Seem to Work

Dieting in itself can be a frustrating task. Not always getting to eat the food that you want in trying to create a calorie deficit and ultimately lose weight, is a gruelling process to say the very least. Imagine realising after all that effort and deprivation, that there's been bare minimum progress. Not a place anyone wants to be in. But if you've been finding yourself in that spot, in spite of all the hard work, there's a possibility that you're making some small, but crucial mistakes. There are some basic mistakes that even seasoned dieters can fall prey to. Avoid doing these things to see the best possible results from your diet.

1. You aren't eating enough

Yes, there is such a thing as eating too little even when you're trying to lose weight. When you drop your average calorie intake in a day to below approximately 1200 calories, you're encouraging your body to slow down your metabolism. Eating less than 1200 calories a day not only results in you not getting enough essential nutrients, but your body also begins to slow down your metabolism in order to hold onto the few precious calories that it is getting.

2. You're overeating healthy foods

Nuts, fruits, whole wheat pasta, quinoa, unsweetened dark chocolate, are all largely natural and healthy - but that does not make them devoid of calories. When you're trying to lose weight, it's not so much about eating healthy as it is about eating in the right quantity. Watch your portions, even with the good, healthy stuff. In order to be precise, you could start weighing exactly how much you're eating and calculating your calories by using an app on your phone, such as this. This will help you stay aware and make it easier for you to monitor your calorie intake.

3. You think a stroll in the park is enough

So you go for a walk every morning or evening. Great. Any amount of activity is better than no activity. But if you're trying to lose weight, that 30 minute walk around the park just won't suffice. In order to see some weight loss results, indulge in some heart-pumping exercising at least three times a week. Go for a run, take a spin class, try circuit training - anything that actually makes you break a sweat. Another great way to start seeing results in your weight loss journey is by including weight training to your routine. Weight training helps build muscle mass and also increases your metabolic rate.