Four mistakes when trying to lose weight that explain why you are gaining weight

Experts have revealed the most common mistakes people make when trying to lose weight, which can result in anything from weight gain to injury. The specialists at Goal Plans by MuscleFood.com have identified some of the most common mistakes in weight loss.

One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to lose weight is skipping meals. A spokesperson explained: “People who want to reduce their daily calorie intake sometimes resort to skipping meals.”

“However, because this can lead to extreme hunger, people tend to overeat at the next meal and snack more throughout the day. Skipping meals also slows down the metabolism.”

Over-exercising can quickly lead to burnout and injury. They added: “Although exercise is an important part of a fitness routine, overdoing it can do more harm than good. Over-training increases cortisol levels, which makes you feel more stressed and makes it harder for your body to burn fat.”

The spokesperson advised: “Don’t be discouraged if you’ve been exercising and eating healthily but it’s not reflected on the scales. There are a number of reasons for weight fluctuations, including water retention, increased muscle mass and undigested food weight. Taking your measurements and photographs of your progress are better ways to track fat loss.”

The rise of social media has led to a surge in popularity of crash diets, despite evidence suggesting they are unsustainable and unhealthy. Experts warn: “Crash diets may help you lose weight quickly, but they can also slow down your metabolism. If you eat too few calories, your body adapts by storing them for longer and burning them at a slower rate. Once the diet has ended, you are very likely to regain the weight you lost.”

In addition to cardio exercise, which is often linked to weight loss, experts recommend incorporating weight lifting into your workout routine. They explain: “While cardio exercise may burn more calories per session, weight lifting is great for weight loss because it helps increase the number of calories burned at rest. This means you can burn calories even after you exercise while your body is recovering and repairing muscle tissue.”