Common Weightloss Mistakes

There are many different ways to shed those pesky extra pounds you've put on over the years. Thanks to modern science, we can lose the weight without having to exercise. You can cut or section off parts of your stomach, do a detox, melt away fat cells during your lunch hour, take a cocktail of medications, so on and so forth. The most important question we need to ask ourselves is "How permanent are these quick fixes?" 

The truth is you didn't gain it overnight, so you cannot expect to lose it overnight either. The perks of living in such a technologically advanced generation is causing us to become increasingly lazy.

We take advice from our "friends" on social media or follow the latest diet trends as if it was a fashion statement. Instead of doing the research and educating ourselves, we listen to Fulanita, who isn't an expert on how to properly lose weight, just because it worked for her. Quick fixes can be great in the short term because you see the results almost instantaneously, but it's more damaging in the long haul. 

The following are in no particular order of significance, but it is a common trend I see in dieting. 

Cutting out gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, 1 in 100 individuals has this disease. These individuals cannot consume gluten because it triggers an autoimmune response and damages the villi in their small intestine. Damage to that area leads to malabsorption of nutrients which further escalates their health problems. The other group of people who should stay away from gluten are those who have gluten sensitivity. 

People love to jump on the bandwagon and follow what their peers are doing. A friend tells you how they had increased energy once going gluten-free and you start to get curious. After you start eliminating gluten from your diet, voila!, you too have an increase in energy. Oh the power of suggestion.

Unless it is medically necessary to cut out gluten from your diet, you are just avoiding great sources of nutrients. 

All calories are created equal. When looking to lose weight or be overall healthy, you need to think QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. Yes, calories are important, but the types of nutrients you are consuming is far more important. 

For example, 100 calories of fruit is not the same as 100 calories of sour patch kids candy. The average person would say they are both high in sugar and it's only 100 calories, so what the heck, pass me the candy! The difference is the sugar in fruit is fructose, whereas, candy contains a purified form of sugar. Now I am in no way saying never to eat candy, I’m a strong believer in moderation. What I am pointing out is that increasing your purified sugar intake leads to obesity, fatigue, weakening of bones, cavities, etc. The fruit snack will not only make you feel full but provide your body with the nutrients it needs. The candy is providing you with empty calories--causing you to still be hungry due to its lack of QUALITY nutrients.