5 Habits to Break if You are Looking to Lose Weight

It’s often hard to notice those few extra pounds gained, and to lose weight or getting rid of them is even more challenging. You’ve tried different diets.

The key may be to focus on your habits. Some habits affect weight management negatively, often without you even realizing it. Here are 5 practices you should alter or cease to benefit your efforts to lose weight.

1. Starting a Diet without Medical Consultation

You’ve encountered many diets that promise fast results, such as keto, Atkins, Mediterranean, Paleo, 5:2, Flexitarian, and more.

Beginning a weight loss plan without consulting a medical professional, however, could be harmful to your health.

Consult with a medical weight loss expert before starting any diet. They will check your lab tests and consult on the best options to help you reach your weight loss goals.

For example, professionals in medical weight loss in Boston recommend self-injections to administer at home.

These could be Mounjaro, Ozempic, or Wegovy treatments. They have each been proven effective in weight loss and management.

2. Skipping Meals

Some people take things to the extreme when it comes to dieting. Eating small amounts or starving themselves entirely only works to compromise their health.

Not eating enough will increase your hunger pains, leaving you without the necessary energy to get through your day.

Not eating enough can also backfire and cause you to hold onto weight instead of losing it.

According to UCSF Health, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and lentils are vital components of a healthy nutrition plan.

The same is true for fish and berries, but your actual nutrition plan depends on your preferences, activity level, and other factors.

3. Late Night Snacking

Unprocessed foods contain bad fats and calories that negatively affect your long-term health. Grabbing that bag of potato chips late in the evening may be tasty, but it is not conducive to weight loss.

A small bag of chips can increase your daily intake by 500+ calories! Instead, satisfy your late-night cravings with low-calorie snacks like popcorn, vegetables, fruits, and healthier options. 

The body requires a lot of energy to digest the food it takes in, so it’s good practice to avoid meals or snacks at least two hours before bedtime.

4. Eating on the Go or When Distracted

Often referred to as “mindless eating”, not focusing on the food you consume makes digestion taxing the body.

Snacking while gaming or binge-watching your favorite show can make it hard to realize how many chips you’ve eaten.

Practicing mindful eating and focusing on your food without distractions can be a wise way to lose weight.

5. Drinking High-Calorie Beverages

You count those calories and make sure to spend more than you ingest during the day. You might have yet to consider the caloric content consumed through drinks.

For example, Starbucks coffee has around 300 calories and loads of sugar. Beer typically contains at least 150 calories, so drinking two could equal 10-20% of your planned daily intake.

A guilt-free drink you can focus on is water. Hydration is imperative when losing weight and works wonders for your skin.

Final Thoughts

The idea is to replace old habits with healthy ones that help you lose weight.

Focus on establishing a schedule of mealtimes that works for you, shining a spotlight on choosing healthy foods and snacks. Remember to give your body ample time to rest and recharge.

Medically supervised weight loss ensures you’ve chosen a plan approved by a professional who can keep track of your progress and recommend techniques to help you keep weight off for the long term.