The shape and size of the body depends on the equation of calories consumed and calories burned. In the process of losing weight it becomes very frustrating and disappointing when the needle in the weighing scale is stubborn to move as you wish. Weight loss happens when there is intake of calories more than the body requires. It might sound easy and simple but not for those who have been trying hard but are not able to shed the pounds they always wanted to.

All the right things you have been following thinking to be correct might be wrong. We shall share here some of the fourteen common mistakes people make in their weight loss journey.

Complete cut of fats from diet People on diet completely stop their fat intake but one must know fat is an essential part of our meal. Some of the vitamins and minerals are absorbed only with fat. Fat is beneficial for various organs and skin. Add healthy fats such as coconut oil, walnuts etc in your diet.

Choosing healthy drinks from grocery stores There might be plenty of healthy drinks in the market that promises to be extremely nutritious and weight loss friendly. What you need is keep yourself hydrated and nothing is better than water. Sips of green tea or any herbal tea will benefit your metabolism and promote weight loss.

Dressing the salad Salads are rich in fiber and favors weight loss but why destroy it by adding extra calories? Instead use something that is nutritious and light.

Weighing yourself too often As soon as you start working out or go for a certain diet plan you start standing on the weighing scale every other day. Now this will certainly disappoint you. One cannot expect to shed that extra weight in a day or two. Instead set a target of a month and then weigh yourself. This will encourage you and keep you motivated towards the goal.

Eating while working or watching television This is common to find in today’s culture. Eating while you are occupied with something keeps your focus on filling the stomach instead of getting the taste of the food. Switch off your television or get away from the desk for ten minutes and enjoy the food.

Eating small bits of anything at any time You munch on a few chips or eat candies without knowing how much calories they add. It might seem just little but these ‘little’ keeps on adding to prevent you from shedding a few kilos.

Going by the label While going to the grocery store it is not uncommon to pick up the stuff that says are low in sugar, are gluten free etc, thinking it will favor your weight loss. These actually mislead the customers. Instead be smart and stop following such advertisements. Read the ingredients and make a choice according to the need of your body.

Love for big plates and bowl  If you have the habit of eating in huge bowls or plates then stop doing that. According to the studies it can cause overeating.

Skipping meals This is the most common belief that skipping meal favors weight loss. Infact it has adverse effects such as slowing the metabolism as there is no food. For a healthy metabolism the body needs food in certain intervals. Skipping meals does not allow you to choose healthy foods and you also tend to eat more.

Turning vegetarian People who are diehard non-vegetarian turn to vegetarian foods without controlling the quantity to be consumed. This might make you feel good but you don’t realize how much calories you have added. Vegetarian food off course is good for weight loss and promotes health but it must be in the proper portion and cooked in healthy fats.

Love for extra cheese Oh yes it tastes so good but adding it with foods enhances the calories. Make it an occasional choice more frequent.

Favor for three meals a day We all have heard our parents or someone in the family advising to have three meals a day with no need of snacks in between. The trend still follows in most of the houses. According to the research it is found that having healthy snacks in between keeps one away from overeating and also maintains the metabolism.

Breakfast is okay to skip Many of us skip breakfast and do not consider it as an important part of the meal. Whereas breakfast being the most important meal of the day should never be missed. It enhances the metabolism and promotes weight loss.

Ignoring the good night’s sleep  Staying awake till late night can make you eat more. It also affects the metabolism. So, a good sleep of 7-8 hours at night keeps your hormones balanced and is really important to prevent weight gain.

There is no magic wand that can get you back to the shape you wished. Weight loss is not as easy as it sounds. It needs a lot of determination, focus and motivation to continue the journey even after achieving the goal. It is easy to start but tough to remain on the track. There are times when you are tempted to have your favorite foods and at times you feel like just giving up.

Keeping yourself surrounded with people having the same goal or taking help from family and friends helps you to continue your weight loss journey. Consulting a healthcare professional for a balanced diet and little change in lifestyle will certainly make you achieve your goal.