5 Signs Your Diet Isn't Working

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You’ve considered it for weeks, months, years even. And now is the time that you’ve decided to make a change and go on that diet. But don’t just dive in feet first. First, take a long, hard look at the diet you’re considering and answer five questions before proceeding. 

Only then can you be sure your diet is not going to land you in the land of diet failure.



Question 1: Does it make you hungry all day every day?

When you’re on a diet, it’s normal to feel the occasional tinge of hunger. Much of those light hunger pangs, however, should be done away with by drinking a glass of water. And if you stay busy enough with life in general, you ought to be able to ignore some other hunger. But if your diet has you feeling hungry at all times, you’re not going to last long. Temporary feelings of ‘head’ hunger are acceptable if you’re practicing Intermittent Fasting (like I have for the past 3 years); it takes a couple of weeks for your body to adjust to the longer hours between meals. But if your body is constantly starved of key nutrients and you feel drained of energy every day, it’s time to re-think your nutrition strategy.

To avoid falling into the pit of hungry despair, go with a diet that lets you eat protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Also, as stated above, drink plenty of water to avoid confusing hunger with thirst.

                                                     

Question 2: Does it force you to drop food groups?

A healthy diet is one that incorporates appropriate amounts of food from each food group. When a diet cuts an entire food group from your eating options, you’re going to have a hard time surviving your diet for longer than a week or two. 

One of the most popular food groups to cut is carbohydrates. While not eating carbs will indeed help you lose weight, carbs are what make it possible to store energy to make it through the day. No carbs, no energy, no willpower to maintain your diet.

Question 3: Is your mood suddenly unpredictable?

Everyone gets metabolic every once in a while, but if your diet is too restrictive, you may find your mood swings coming with greater regularity and severity. This happens because excessive caloric restrictions messes with the chemicals in your brain. When this occurs, there is no telling what direction your mood will go. 

Before letting your diet ruin your relationships and put your job at risk, reconsider your diet and find one that helps you be cool, calm, and collect.

                                 

Question 4: Does it insist there is no need to exercise?

There are some diet plans that promise plenty of lost kilos without the addition of exercise. 

If this is the type of diet you’re considering or are in the midst of, beware! Exercise comes with countless health benefits that will make your weight loss all the more beneficial. From preventing chronic pain to improving your energy level and sleeping better, exercise is a vital component to any diet.

Then of course there's the elephant in the room (pun intended): 1kg of bodyfat contains 7700 calories that need to be burned! It doesn't burn itself off, and if you take into account the amount of hidden calories you may be ingesting from certain foods each day, it can take a very long time just to lose a kilo of bodyfat. Considering that an overweight 90kg male at 20% bodyfat has 18kg of fat on his body, that's a lot of calories that need to be burned. So the next time you think that 20min walk to the train station(~150 calories burned) is all the exercise you need, think again - it's barely a drop in the ocean! Get realistic and start taking the steps needed to make a real impact on fat loss. 

Check out THIS article which really puts things in perspective: 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3193903/Australian-food-soon-labelled-minutes-WALKING-needed-burn-calories.html

 


Question 5: Do you still weigh the same/have the same waist measurement?

It is true that the best way to lose weight is slowly—approximately one kilo per week at most. But take note that slowly doesn’t mean not at all. 

In the event you’ve been on a diet for a few weeks without any results to speak of, then your diet is a flop. Drop it immediately and find something that will help you lose kilos or centimetres around your waist. Otherwise, you’ll get discouraged with your diet and swap it for the old habits that got you where you are now.

Remember that a true body transformation comes only from a combination of diet and exercise. Call or email me today to get started on the only fitness program that you’ll ever need!
                                                                  

 

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