Health expert shares 'worst mistake' people make when trying to lose weight

03 March 2024 , 09:00

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A huge weight loss mistake could limit success (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

This is a seriously common error that's holding a lot of people back.

If you have been trying to lose weight, but have found that you are not making quite as much progress as you would like, you could be guilty of this common mistake - one that an expert has claimed is one of the "worst" people make when embarking on a weight loss journey.

When trying to lose a few pounds, it's crucial to aim to do so sustainably, by adopting a healthy lifestyle, rather than going for a crash diet - that might provide a quick fix in the short term, but over time could see you right back where you started.

There are a few common errors many people make when trying to lose weight but an expert has explained that there is one in particular that can really set you back on the path to success. Ashleigh Tosh from Goal Plans powered by MuscleFood.com explains that it's important not to be too laser-focused on the numbers themselves when losing weight, and instead look at the picture of your fitness journey more holistically.

"One of the worst mistakes you can make is stressing too much about the number on the scale," Tosh said, "as it's not an accurate reflection of your fitness progress and can lead to demotivation even though you're doing everything right."

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The NHS explains that losing one to two pounds - or 0.5 to 1kg - a week is a healthy goal because losing weight more rapidly than that can be unsustainable and lead you to problems down the road. Restrictive crash diets can actually be a predictor of future weight gain, studies have shown, so you could end up losing all your hard work by trying to go too fast.

A little bit of patience goes a long way with weight loss - slow and steady wins the race as they say - and you should focus on making lifestyle adjustments that improve your health overall, rather than trying to shed pounds as quickly as possible - which, as Tosh points out can make you demotivated in the long run.

The experts explain: "To lose weight quickly, people often set themselves unrealistic goals and end up getting discouraged when the weight doesn't shift fast enough. It's important to keep in mind that sustainable weight loss takes time and while crash diets and other quick fixes can help you shed pounds, people often end up gaining back more than they lost initially. Other weight loss mistakes include skipping meals, cutting out all carbs, and not planning rest days into your workout schedule."

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Emma Mackenzie