9 Reasons Your Diet Isn't Working and Might Be Making You Gain Weight ...

By Heather

If you can’t seem to get the scale to budge any, check out some reasons your diet isn’t working the way you might think it should. Many people go on a diet, and get excited, only to be discouraged when no results come. Consider some of these reasons your diet isn’t working and make a few changes. In just a few weeks, you’ll be losing weight again.

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1

Too Much Fruit

Okay, let’s talk about one of the most controversial reasons your diet isn’t working. If you’re loading up on sugar, even in the form of fruit, your weight might not move. Fruit is fantastic for you, but some people are sensitive to even the most beautiful, natural sources of sugar, like fruit. Fruit can make you store excess fructose, the form of sugar found in most fruits. Since fructose isn’t used for energy like glucose is, it gets stored as excess in the form of fat by the liver. So lighten up on the fruit already! One cup a day is plenty, and should come in the form of berries for the most weight loss friendly benefits.

2

Not Enough Water

Are you loading up on shakes, caffeine drinks, and vitamin enhanced waters or diet drinks? If so, you’re ruining your dieting efforts, all by what you’re drinking. Let go of all those drinks, which have additives, fats, sugars, chemicals, or all four, and instead turn to water. You should see the pounds fall off a little quicker. If you do need a little caffeine, opt for coffee in the morning, and keep it to one cup. Drink green tea during the day if you need a little lift later.

3

Natural Sweeteners

Speaking of coffee and tea, what kind of sweetener are you using? Coconut sugar, maple syrup, honey, or other natural sweeteners? If so, you’re also taking in way too much sugar to lose weight. I don’t care what health claims they come with, they aren’t going to help you lose weight. Stick to the best diet friendly option of all - pure liquid stevia extract. It’s the least processed, and has no funny additives so long as you buy alcohol-free forms. I like NuNaturals and Sweetleaf brands.

4

Dieting Products

Certain dieting protein powders, meal plans, bars, shakes, etc. are nothing more than a marketing hype that might be hindering your weight loss efforts. Stick to plain, raw, vegan protein powders if you’re going to use them. I like raw hemp protein, and Sunwarrior Raw Warrior Blend vanilla protein powder. Both are incredibly filling, weight loss friendly, and are easy on your body. They’re free of weird additives, sugars, sugar alcohols, gluten, GMOs, dairy, trans fats, and they’re lower in calories, while still providing all essential amino acids. Ditch the diet bars too - almost all are incredibly toxic to your body and won’t help you lose weight faster.

5

Short on Protein

Another tip on protein is to be sure you get enough. Studies have found that an increase in protein, up to 1 gram per pound of body weight, can actually enhance weight loss by spiking your metabolism. I’ve seen this first hand, and also love that protein satisfies you much longer if you add it to each meal. As a bonus, it lowers your blood sugar, helping to sustain you longer and make you crave fewer sweets. Stick to clean sources of protein whenever possible.

Famous Quotes

To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

Confucius
6

You Fear the Weights

When you’re working out, are you scared to lift weights because it might make you bulky? If so, your metabolism might need a muscle boost! Muscle burns fat, which creates lean muscle incredibly quickly. Be sure you’re eating plenty of protein from clean sources, and pick up a few weights at the gym! Your lean muscles will burn fat fast, and get that scale moving again. You won’t bulk up, but will instead, get leaner.

7

Processed Food

Another tip for losing weight fast if you’re in a rut, is to quit eating processed food. Stick to fresh foods whenever possible, and cook more at home. Fast food and restaurant meals are among the least diet friendly options. Always opt for fresh, whole foods, and quit spending your money on products that are only hurting your weight loss goals.

8

You Pull All Nighters

If you stay up all night, don’t expect to lose weight any faster. The less sleep you get, the more likely you are to overeat the next day, or stay up late eating. Your body needs rest to create fat burning hormones as well. Be sure you get at least 8-9 hours and quit pulling those all nighters so much!

9

You Don’t Eat Enough

Lastly, one reason you might not be losing weight is you’re not eating enough. Your body needs calories to burn fat. So long as you get your calories from healthy foods, you don’t need to obsess over them. Add 500 calories to your day each day this week. If your weight loss picks up, that might have been the issue. A slow metabolism is terrible for weight loss. Give yours enough fuel so it can do its weight loss thing!

Weight loss seems to be cut and dry for most of us, but that’s not always the case as you see. Be sure you’re not ruining your efforts and keep these things in mind while dieting. What tips would you add to this list?

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I have a question. One of the tips was getting rid of processed foods, but you also recommended taking a raw vegan protein powder, if you like including them in your diet. Aren't protein powders processed?

they are processed as a indian the best protein comes from sprouts with added vitamins

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