8 things that are keeping you overweight

Are you downing sodas and lattes during the day? These drinks contain a high sugar content and have very little nutritional value. Including these drinks in your routine will only cause you to crave more sugar. 

You are exercising and eating right, but those pounds are not slipping off. What is keeping you from reaching your ideal weight? You may not be aware of it, but there are things you may be doing to sabatoge your weight loss. Here are eight things that are keeping you overweight.

1. You Are Not Drinking Enough Water
Hydration is important for many reasons. It keeps the skin glowing, boosts your immune system, and helps you lose weight. Drinking water curbs your appetite and prevents you from overeating because you feel full faster. Try to start and end your day with water. I keep water at my bedside and also take a water bottle on the go so that I don’t forget to hydrate.


2. You Are Not Exercising Hard Enough
Do you push yourself to the limit when you exercise? Our bodies adjust to how much we are exercising. When you continue to do the same motions at the gym, you probably won’t see any noticeable weight loss. To push past the plateau, you may need to change your exercise regime.

3. You Sabotage Your Diet by Eating Unhealthy Foods
You are exercising and eating healthy most of the time, but you decide that this gives you permission to splurge on unhealthy foods. Eating a “little” unhealthy adds up and when you question why you aren’t losing weight, chances are that those daily or weekly treats maybe holding your back. Try to limit and track your indulgences and find healthy alternatives.

4. You Only Do Cardio
Cardio is an essential part of any exercise regime, but running on a treadmill day after day will not help shave off those stubborn pounds. Strength training and stretching are important components for any exercise routine. You can build muscle by training with weights and this will raise your metabolism, which will help you lose weight.

5. You Don’t Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is essential. If you feel tired, you may sacrifice your workouts because you don’t have enough energy to go the gym to lift weights or run on the treadmill. Lack of sleep will also cause you to cheat on eating healthy. You tend to grab what is convenient, instead of looking for a healthier eating option.

6. Your Thyroid Hormone Maybe Too Low
It is important for women to get their thyroid hormone checked. A thyroid imbalance will cause you to gain or retain weight. If you are exercising right and eating well, there is no reason why the scale shouldn’t indicate some weight loss. A simple blood test will indicate whether or not you have a thyroid issue.

7. You Don’t Eat Breakfast
Are you skipping breakfast? By 11:00 in the morning, you are probably ravenous and reaching for the most convenient option. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It fuels energy for the remainder of the day and if you start your morning with a balanced breakfast you will be less likely to eat poorly during the day. Skipping breakfast or other meals actually slows down your metabolism and is detrimental in trying to lose weight.

8. You Are Drinking Unhealthy Sugary Drinks
Are you downing sodas and lattes during the day? These drinks contain a high sugar content and have very little nutritional value. Including these drinks in your routine will only cause you to crave more sugar. Try to wean yourself from these sugary weight-loss killers.