SS Fitness

Are you feeling frustrated that your diet is not yielding the desired results? As summer approaches, many of us embark on the journey to ‘getting our body right,’ and perhaps you’re in the same boat. Whether your goal is weight loss, weight gain, muscle building, or simply improving your appearance, nutrition plays a pivotal role. If you still need to prioritize it, it is time to start.

Understanding the importance of nutrition is the key to achieving your fitness goals, no matter what they are. While exercise is crucial, without proper fueling and caloric balance, you may not see the results you desire, or worse, no results at all. If you’re struggling with nutrition on your fitness journey, stay tuned as I’m here to assist you.

Many look to Google, influencers, and Pinterest for meal plans and diets they want to try. We hear testimonials like “keto helped me lose 10 pounds in a week” and then fall into the trap of thinking it will work for us, too.

In reality, choosing a diet can be very difficult, and I wouldn’t say I like this start, but the most common cause of weight gain is going on a diet. Why is this? Why do people who are working towards their goals end up failing again and again? Contrary to popular belief, it’s not because most people are lazy. Americans have been dealt a rough hand about education about health and wellness in our country. We may talk about it in a class or two, but many people still need help with basic concepts regarding nutrition. Why is this? Is it because you are stupid? Do you need to be more innovative in eating veggies? I don’t believe that is it. America (and everywhere else) is constantly bombarded with information and propaganda about weight loss drugs, detox teas, surgeries, and supplements. All these things can be harmful. No, in some cases (depending on the person and the severity of the issue), tools are made to help improve a person’s health. If a health professional guides you in using them correctly, some things can be done right.

I think that many people who try these methods do so because they don’t fully understand how their body and metabolism work. These methods are often marketed as quick fixes, and people feel desperate to try something new. It’s like a crash diet – it may work for a bit, they lose weight and look good, but once they reach their goal, they stop the diet. The weight comes back on, and they start the cycle all over again. Or, if the method doesn’t work at all, they give up because it’s not worth the struggle. If this sounds like you, I’d love to help. I believe there are three major reasons why people struggle to lose weight with their diet.

You are choosing a diet that doesn’t serve you and eating way too many calories. I have been trying out many different diets to see the health benefits, who they work best for, and what is suitable for the long run. Many diets can work if done right. The critical issue is that many diets fail to inform the person how and why they work. Caloric intake isn’t discussed enough, and some diets focus on points and neglect certain food groups (especially major macronutrients), causing people to need clarification about what they are doing. These methods can work, but for a high percentage of the population, they are not the best option. Once a person gets off the diet, they struggle to make healthy food choices, leading to an unhealthy weight.

Another important factor in a diet is that it should satisfy you and make you feel full. I find that many older diets undervalue the importance of protein because it often has a higher calorie output, especially if it’s lean meat. A high percentage of protein can help keep a person satiated and aid in muscle growth (which burns more calories later). The digestive process for protein is longer and causes a thermogenic effect, leading the body to burn more calories as it digests it. Choose a diet that you understand, includes foods you don’t completely dislike, and keeps you satiated enough to prevent overeating.

It’s important to choose a diet that is sustainable and practical for your lifestyle. Depending on your routine, some diets may work better for you. If you have a lot of kids or other responsibilities, a diet that requires you to cook all the time may not be practical. You need something that is easy to put together and still fits into your plan.

Perhaps your diet is too restrictive, and you are borderline experiencing an eating disorder because you are trying to lose weight as quickly as possible without considering the possible long-term complications. It’s important to choose a diet that you understand and make a lifestyle change as you begin to lose weight so you won’t revert. Many people ignore the fact that many of the choices and lifestyles they were living were one of the leading causes of their current predicament; set yourself up to succeed.

Don’t give up too quickly.

There are many reasons why, but I hope this gave you a quick overview of what to look out for when it comes to your diet and regime. In the future, I will give you some tips on how to make a diet plan that actually works for you. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so what makes you think that your dream will be.