Nutritional Balance & Weight Loss

Losing weight is never an easy journey no matter if you want to lose 10 pounds or 100 pounds, but for some the road to a slimmer, healthier body seems particularly tough. Do you find yourself working out on a regular basis, and yet you still can’t lose any weight? You’re not alone; many people have the exact same problem, but there is a simple explanation.

Exercise is incredibly important to a healthy lifestyle and working out will definitely contribute to your weight loss, but a huge aspect of losing weight is having the correct diet. Studies have found that 75% of weight loss can be attributed to healthy nutrition, so it’s really important to get your diet right as well as keep up the exercise. By asking yourself the questions below you may be able to pinpoint your nutritional downfalls and find solutions that will help you to lose weight.

Are you getting enough calories?

You may think that you can lose weight simply by burning more calories than you consume, but in reality your body is a little more complex than that. It may be tempting to consume low-calorie foods and dramatically restrict your intake, but by suddenly depriving your body of nutrients you can cause your metabolism to slow down which will make it hold on to fat rather than get rid of it. Plus, depriving yourself of food can increase your cravings and make you more liable to cave and eat unhealthy foods. You need to make sure you’re providing your body with enough calories for all the activity it does within a day, so be realistic and sensible with daily calorie limits.

Are you eating regularly enough?

We’ve been brought up to eat three square meals each day, but for many people eating little and often can be healthier as it helps to keep blood sugar levels balanced. Try eating five or six small, balanced meals each day instead of three large ones; you may find yourself feeling more energetic, and since hunger pangs between meals are less likely, you’ll be able to avoid cravings a little better too.

Is your diet SAD?

The Standard American Diet (SAD) is packed with unhealthy fats and processed carbohydrates, and is seriously lacking in healthy proteins. This causes dramatically wavering blood sugar levels which leads to weight gain and mood swings. In order to achieve a balanced diet, you need to banish the Standard American Diet and create healthy, balanced meal plans. Not only will better nutrition help you to lose weight, but it will also allow you to maintain your weight and remain in good health after you reach your goal. Think of it as an important lifestyle adjustment rather than a temporary change; you’ll live a far healthier life if you do.

Are you eating enough protein?

Your metabolism can be boosted by up to 30% for several hours when you consume protein, so it’s incredibly important to get it into your diet. Make sure that protein features in each of your meals in order to keep your metabolism working at a good rate throughout the day.

Do you eat the right types of fat?

When trying to lose weight it can be tempting to eliminate all fat from your diet, but doing so could harm your progress as it may slow your metabolism down. Aim to consume around 10 grams of fat with each meal, but avoid hydrogenated and refined fats; olive oil, avocados and nuts are three great ways to get some healthy fats into your diet.

Do you know how many carbohydrates you eat?

Carbohydrates give you energy so it is essential that you consume them, particularly if you’re working out each day. However, in order to lose weight you should eat no more than 130 grams of carbs each day; any extra may not be burnt off and will simply be stored as fat. Don’t be tempted to try carb-free diets in order to lose weight; you definitely need them for energy and whilst cutting them out may help you to lose weight temporarily, you’ll struggle to maintain your weight loss when you reintroduce them to your diet.

Do you need extra support?

One of the toughest things about maintaining a healthy diet is lack of support. It’s important that your friends and family are behind your weight loss journey and will help you to maintain willpower and stay focused on your end goal. It can also be incredibly difficult to put together meal plans and find the right balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates to suit your body and lifestyle; that’s where we can come in to help.

Our nutrition program can give you the personalized support and professional advice you need to implement a healthy, balanced diet and meet your weight loss goals. Contact us to book a consultation and take the first step towards a healthier, happier body.