5 Hidden Reasons Your Weight Loss Progress May Be Stifled

Are you becoming frustrated because your New Year’s resolution to work out and lose weight is not paying off? You are not alone. Many people who are trying to lose weight get to the point where they feel like they are “hitting a wall.” This is usually because they are overlooking certain factors that tie into an effective weight loss program.

Getting into an exercise routine is certainly part of losing weight, but you may be overlooking other practices that can complement your workouts and really help to shed the pounds. Let’s look at five hidden reasons that your resolution may not be living up to its potential.

Not Staying Hydrated

When you are working out, it’s easy to remember to drink water, right? However, staying hydrated throughout the day is just as important for positive results in your effort to lose weight. There are several connections between hydration and weight loss, including water being a natural appetite suppressant and being necessary to burn fat.

Of course you should keep hydrating during your workouts, but you should also remember to drink plenty of water after your workouts and throughout the rest of the day. Both your body and your mind will feel more energetic.

Lack Of Quality Sleep

There is also a connection between adequate rest and weight loss. Several factors contribute to getting enough quality sleep in order for your body to rejuvenate. You may need to incorporate a wind-down routine into your evenings to help you relax after your workouts and prepare for sleep. It’s also important to value your sleep especially after workouts as this is the time for your body’s rest and recovery.

If you’re amplifying your pain while you sleep instead of helping your body heal by sleeping in an uncomfortable sleeping position and putting pressure on your spine or sleeping on an improper mattress, it’s time to make a change. Both your sleeping position and your mattress have large effects on your sleep quality, so be sure you’re making the best of both by sleeping on a mattress that is optimized for your sleeping preferences.

Setting Unrealistic Goals

With any achievement we hope to manifest, including weight loss, it is important to set attainable goals. Because it is so easy to dream big, you can easily set your sights too high by placing unreasonable expectations on yourself. Of course, it is important to have an ideal goal in mind, but it is more important to set smaller goals along the way.

You should take pride in small achievements in your journey to lose weight. No large goal can ever be achieved without hitting smaller milestones along the way. Construct your goals in such a way that you create a pathway to achieving your dream goal. Decide what steps you need to take and chart them on a realistic timeline. Remember to focus on progress, not perfection, and this will help take the pressure off and keep you motivated.

Not Cleaning Up Your Diet

All the exercise in the world won’t counteract an unhealthy diet. There are several obvious connections between your diet and weight loss including types of calories consumed and size of portions. It’s important that you do plenty of research to make sure you set up a reliable and nutritious diet for yourself. Making dramatic cuts on calorie consumption or portion sizes may not be healthy for your body.

As general tips, you should work your meals around healthy proteins and complex carbohydrates. You may consider using a food scale to manage your portions alongside your exercise routine with your exercise routine. In addition, eating fruits and vegetables that are packed in nutrients such as kale and blueberries will help keep you energized for your workouts and for daily living.

Mental Health Holding You Back

A healthy mental state is crucial to having the energy and motivation to be proactive in losing weight. If you suffer from such conditions as depression or anxiety, it can be extremely difficult to be motivated in maintaining an exercise regimen.

The relationship between mental health and weight can be a negative connection if you aren’t taking the necessary steps to improve your state of mind. High stress levels can exacerbate mental health conditions, so you can start addressing your mental health needs by practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga. Getting your mind in a healthy headspace will be an important step for improving not only your weight loss routine, but also your overall health.

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Written By:

Laurie Larson is a writer based in North Carolina. When she isn't busy writing reviews for Mattress Advisor, she enjoys finding a great book to dive into or spending time running around outside with her two pups. You can keep up with her writing adventures on IG @livinglaurie.

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Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.