I lost 88lbs and these 3 mistakes ruined everythin
Girl, maybe it’s simple but I’m sure some of you need to hear it.
I fought for a very long time to get to where I am today. I needed help - every day I would step on the scale multiple times, recording every single change - punishing myself for any increase. I couldn't look at myself in the mirror, so I ate less and less, just so the number wouldn't go up. But it was like a vicious cycle - it kept coming back and got even worse.
I cut calories to eat as little as possible, and I did this for many years. This led to hormonal problems and thyroid issues - and I'm still dealing with them today.
Because of this, I developed terrible eating habits. I didn't know how to eat healthy. For me, eating protein was torture. This meant I wasn't losing weight properly - I was losing muscle instead of fat.
These points are really important, and I'm glad I can share my story here so that you don't have to go through this.
When I reflect on my weight loss journey, I realize how common it is to become fixated on the number on the scale rather than overall health and well-being. Weighing yourself multiple times a day can create unnecessary stress and obsession, leading to harmful behaviors like under-eating or excessive exercise. It’s crucial to focus on how your body feels and performs rather than just the scale number. One of the biggest mistakes I made was drastically cutting calories to force weight loss. While this may work short-term, it often backfires by slowing down metabolism and leading to plateaus. In my case, I experienced a 6-week plateau because my metabolism crashed. Instead, a sustainable calorie deficit with balanced nutrition is key to healthy, long-lasting weight loss. Another important lesson was understanding the role of protein in preserving muscle mass. I avoided protein because I found it difficult to eat, but this caused me to lose muscle along with fat, creating a “skinny-fat” appearance rather than toned physique. Eating sufficient protein supports muscle retention, which helps your body stay strong and boosts metabolic rate. Additionally, I struggled with hormonal problems and thyroid issues because of prolonged calorie restriction, which is something many people don’t anticipate. These health problems can hinder weight loss and affect your overall well-being. Working with healthcare or nutrition professionals to prevent and manage such issues is crucial. Incorporating workouts with resistance training, prioritizing protein intake, and practicing mindful eating helped me rebuild my metabolism and improve my body composition. Remember, weight loss is not just about the number on the scale but about your health, energy, and confidence. Sharing my story, I hope you can avoid the pitfalls I faced and find a balanced, healthy approach to weight loss that lasts.