5 Classic Pitfalls That Will Blight Your Dieting Journey

It's a topic that's never going to grow old, and the main reason for this is because dieting is almightily difficult to conquer. In other words, it's tough to sustain - and this is why newer 'techniques' are invented every year.

Not only that, but the stakes are high. Whether it’s medical experts or health insurance companies, everyone involved in the field will testify that the issues brought on by excess weight are certainly no laughing matter.

However, it would certainly be fair to say that many of us make life much more difficult for ourselves through this process. Today's post is all about how we can eradicate some of these pitfalls to make our dieting experiences much more seamless.

Mistake #1 - Starving Yourself

It's a classic dieting mistake that will significantly set you back. Starving yourself will not help you lose weight – in fact, it will likely make you put on more weight in the long run. When you deprive your body of the food it needs, it will go into 'survival mode' and start storing fat as energy.

Mistake #2 - Not Eating Enough Protein

Another common mistake is not eating enough protein. Protein is essential for healthy weight loss, as it helps to preserve muscle mass. Without enough protein, you may find that you lose muscle and fat, which will ultimately slow down your metabolism.

Sure, you might think you're doing the right thing by limiting your portions, but the trick is knowing what foods to limit. Protein certainly isn't one of these food types; this is one of the building blocks of any successful diet. As well as the muscle-building properties, it will tend to make you feel fuller for longer.

Mistake #3 - Skipping Breakfast

Skipping breakfast is another common dieting mistake that is likely to make you feel tired and sluggish during the day. It might be a cliche, but breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day, and it's essential that you start your day with a good-sized one. This will help to give you energy and keep your metabolism going throughout the day.

If you do skip breakfast, you'll tend to get even hungrier as the morning goes on and more likely to snack on the wrong foods.

Mistake #4 - Not Drinking Enough Water

It's often said that we should drink eight glasses of water per day, which is especially important when dieting.

Water helps to flush out toxins from the body, and it can also help reduce hunger pangs. When you're feeling hungry, it's often a sign that you're dehydrated, so make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Mistake #5 - Not Getting Enough Sleep

This is another common pitfall that can sabotage your dieting efforts. When you don't get enough sleep, your body releases the stress hormone, cortisol. This can lead to cravings for unhealthy foods, and it can also slow down your metabolism.

Make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep per night to see successful weight loss.