Healthy Weight Loss Tips for the New Year from the Doctors at South Tampa Immediate Care

healthy-weight-loss-tips-bigstock-woman-on-scale-with-appleIf you’re like many Americans, you may have made a weight loss resolution for 2013. But studies show that the majority of people who vow to shed pounds in the New Year rarely end up following through with their plan – even past the first few weeks of January! There are a variety of factors that commonly derail diets, but being aware of and avoiding these pitfalls may just help you to stick to your plan a bit longer.

Some of the most common diet mistakes to avoid include:

  • Depriving yourself – Many people think that skipping meals or severely limiting their caloric intake is the only way to diet. On the contrary, this can actually have the opposite effect. If you eat infrequently or don’t get enough fuel from the foods you eat, your body starts storing any and all calories as fat. Instead of depriving yourself, make smart choices about the foods you eat and try eating 4-6 small meals throughout the day. Small portions will keep your metabolism pumping, which means your body is always burning calories.
  • Focusing only on food – Any weight loss plan should be paired with physical activity. This doesn’t mean that you have to become a marathon runner, but it does mean that you should be cognizant about how active you are throughout the day. As you start to control your portion sizes and eat healthier foods, you still need to keep your body’s metabolism pumping so that calories can be efficiently burned. A great way to embark on a more active lifestyle is to invest in a pedometer, which is a small device that counts your steps. On average, if you take in about 2,000 calories each day, you should be walking at least 10,000 steps.
  • Planning poorly – There’s really no way around a hectic schedule, but many people get sidetracked from their diets because they make unhealthy food choices due to a lack of time. For instance, if you’re out running errands all day and get hungry, you may just swing through a drive-thru to save time. Or, if you get home from work late, ordering pizza may seem like the easiest option. However, by making a conscious effort to plan your meals you can avoid these diet “splurges.” Try packing a small cooler with healthy snacks before you leave to run errands for the day. Also, make a few healthy meals ahead of time and freeze them so that they’re available for those busy evenings.

Weight loss is a personal journey for every individual, and no two people lose weight the same way or at the same pace. It is important to stay positive, remain focused, and set realistic, attainable goals for yourself. For more information about health and wellness, please feel free to browse the full list of articles on our website.