The top 5 dieting mistakes

Many of us want to lose weight but so many people compromise their weight loss goals by making simple mistakes. By avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure that your targets are more easily attainable, and some weight loss supplements may also help you to achieve your goals.

1. Starving yourself

It might sound like a good way to save calories, but starving yourself and skipping meals can be detrimental; although it may seem like a sure-fire way to reduce your calorie intake, it can actually cause hunger and lead to the temptation of unhealthy snacking throughout the day.

2. Cutting out fat altogether

Cutting down on fat is an obvious way to help you lose weight, but be careful; there are some types of fat that you should keep in your diet.

Trans fats and saturated fats are bad for you, so try to get the vast majority of your fat intake from unsaturated fats found in oily fish, avocados, and nuts. Unsaturated fats are beneficial for health because they help to reduce cholesterol levels and contribute to healthy heart function.

It is also thought that the nutrients and vitamins within fruit and vegetables are absorbed better by the body when there is some fat present in the diet, so good fats are essential to ensure that you get maximum nourishment from your food.

3. Choosing the wrong drinks

If you’re managing your food intake, it can be easy to forget that drinks carry a calorie count too. Try to avoid fizzy drinks and alcohol, as these contain a lot of calories, as well as sugars that can also be detrimental to weight loss goals.

Instead, drink plenty of water, as this helps to keep your body hydrated; an essential factor in boosting your metabolism.

4. Unrealistic targets

You may feel as though you want to lose a fair amount of weight, and quickly. But setting unrealistic targets can often have the opposite effect; it will be hard for you to achieve these goals, and the early disappointment might be enough to put you off altogether. A sensible target would be to aim for a weight loss of around two pounds per week.

Additionally, try not to weigh yourself too often. Weight fluctuates day by day, and it can be frustrating and disheartening if it doesn’t drop immediately. Instead, try weighing on a weekly basis to give a more accurate idea of your progress.

5. Lack of exercise

Although eating healthily is a good start, adding regular exercise to your daily routine can further increase your chances of shedding those extra pounds. Exercise can rev up your metabolism and contribute to the burning of calories, as well as helping to tone your body as you slim down. Try and aim for 30 minutes of exercise per day.

Supplements to aid weight loss: African mango is a popular appetite suppressant that regulates leptin levels in the body. Low levels of leptin levels are generally thought to be responsible for causing hunger cravings.