Find out 5 reasons why you may not be losing weight

May 16, 2015 3:43 PM

It can be frustrating to not see results when you step on the scale after starving yourself and working out rigourously.

Weight scale

Even if you follow a fitness routine and you often choose healthier foods, you may not be seeing the weight come off the way you may have hoped.

It can be frustrating to not see results when you step on the scale after starving yourself and working out rigourously.

Chances are, one of these reasons is all that's standing in the way of your weight-loss goals.

Dehydration

Besides keeping you hydrated, drinking water on the regular, according to recent studies, can aid with weight loss.

Filling up on water before a meal helps encourage portion control, and eating foods that contain a lot of water (like fruits and veggies) will fill you up faster, causing you to eat less. A small study even found that drinking cool water can speed up metabolism and discourage cravings for sugary drinks like soda and juice.

Over heating your healthy food

Nuts, avocados, whole wheat pasta, olive oil, and dark chocolate are all natural and healthy, but they aren't void of calories. You still need to watch how much you eat of the good stuff. For example, avocado offers a ton of health benefits, but an entire fruit is over 200 calories.

Doing just cardio exercises

If you live on the treadmill but never lift a pound, then you're missing out on one of the most important pieces of the fitness puzzle. Not only does weight training prevent injury by strengthening the joints, but it also builds muscle mass and increases metabolic rate. T

hanks to a revved-up metabolism, you'll keep burning calories long after you've slipped off your sneakers.

Exercising on an empty stomach

If you regularly exercise without eating first, you should reconsider: when you work out on an empty stomach, research shows that the calories burned come from muscle, not fat.

Since muscle burns more calories than fat, the more muscle mass you have, the better it is for weight loss. Not only will fueling your body help you avoid losing muscle, but also, you'll have more energy to push yourself through your workout.

Leaving out entire food groups in your meals

Giving up entire food groups can lead to a nutritional deficiency, not to mention trigger major cravings for whatever food has been cut.

Rather than, say, eliminating all carbohydrates, focus on whole grains and remember to monitor portion control. Usually it's the extra servings that add to your waistline, not the pasta itself.