Most people who try to lose weight struggle with the same problems over and over again. They might start off strong, but soon they find themselves falling back into their old habits.

They might lose some weight at first, but soon they find that they’ve hit a plateau, and the pounds just won’t come off. In this article, we will talk about the five most common ways we sabotage our weight loss progress, and what we can do to avoid these pitfalls.

1. Overestimating how much we actually move

One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to lose weight is to overestimate how much they actually move throughout the day. We often think we’re more active than we really are, so we eat more than we need to.

We might think that we’re burning more calories than we actually are, so we don’t make any progress. To avoid this pitfall, it’s important to track our activity levels using a fitness tracker or smartphone app. This will give us an accurate picture of how much we’re moving throughout the day, so we can adjust our eating habits accordingly.

2. Not getting enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies release more of the hormone cortisol, which can lead to weight gain.

Lack of sleep also increases our appetite and makes us more likely to crave unhealthy foods. To avoid this pitfall, it’s important to prioritize sleep and get at least seven hours a night. This will help keep our hormones in check and reduce our cravings for junk food.

3. Giving into cravings

We all have cravings from time to time, but giving into them too often can sabotage our weight loss progress. When we indulge in high-calorie, high-sugar foods, we create a cycle of cravings and overeating that’s hard to break.

To avoid this pitfall, it’s important to have healthy snacks on hand that satisfy our cravings without derailing our weight loss efforts. Snacks like fresh fruit, raw veggies, or nuts can help satisfy our cravings without adding a lot of extra calories.

4. Setting unrealistic goals

When it comes to weight loss, it’s important to set realistic goals that we can actually achieve. If our goals are too ambitious, we’re more likely to get discouraged and give up.

To avoid this pitfall, it’s important to set small, achievable goals that build momentum over time. For example, instead of setting a goal to lose 50 pounds in three months, we might set a goal to lose one pound a week for the next six months. This is a more realistic goal that we’re more likely to achieve.

5. Not having a support system

Finally, one of the biggest ways we sabotage our weight loss progress is by not having a support system in place. Losing weight is hard, and it’s even harder when we’re doing it alone.

Having a support system of friends, family, or a weight loss group can make all the difference in the world. It’s important to find people who share our goals and are willing to offer encouragement and accountability when we need it.

In conclusion, weight loss is a journey that requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from our mistakes. By avoiding these five common pitfalls, we can increase our chances of success and achieve our weight loss goals.