Weight loss: why you're failing to fight the flab

You've ditched the desserts that damage your dress size, swapped the sofa for sweaty training sessions and even eliminated the environment that triggers the temptation to tuck into too many tasty treats, but your 'bigger' body just won't budge.

Before you give up on your weight loss goals, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I consistent?
Change stems from the commitment to remain consistent - it doesn't stem from religiously resorting back to our unhealthy habits the second that we succumb to a simple slip up. 
If you've moulded a mindset that refuses to register what the reality of a weight loss lapse resembles - an inevitable part of the process that creates change - you'll not only see minor mistakes as multiple reasons to give up on your goals, but continuously fail to commit to the consistency that's required regardless of whether times are tough, or tame.

2. Am I over consuming calories?
Although we don't have to count every calorie that we consume - a core culprit that's responsible for driving desperate dieters to develop a detrimental dietary disorder - a controlled (and cut) caloric consumption is essential for the initial elimination of excess weight.
If you're chronically over consuming the calories that tighten your trousers - think the daily treat, picking at food during (food) prep and even eating an additional sneaky but sensible snack - but failing to eliminate the excess energy via exercise and activity, you'll struggle to shift those problematic pounds - the latter being a concern that can also be caused by under consuming calories as the body is forced to slow metabolism and conserve calories in fear of famine.

3. Am I really moving more?
Tackling a tough training session may aid the elimination of excess energy, but a one hour workout is only 4% of our day.
If your lifestyle is of a sedentary state when you're not sweating it out on a stationary bike, chances are you're not moving as much as you need to in order to eliminate the excess energy that's sabotaging your silhouette.

4. Am I acknowledging my actions?
Our inability to admit that we're not working hard enough to adjust our unhealthy habits resembles one of the core culprits responsible for persistent plateaus.
If you're yet to step outside of your comfort zone on a physical and psychological scale, you're failing to challenge yourself to the point of change.

5. Have I mastered the meaning of moderation?
One 'bad' day won't destroy our dress size, but one 'bad' day repeated on a regular basis, will.
If you're still tucking into the treats and takeaways that trigger the temptation to throw in the towel, you've not only failed to master the meaning of moderation, but you're yet to make the substantial lifestyle change that leads to long-term weight loss and maintenance.

Final thought: a slender silhouette stems from sacrifice, self-control and sensible choices. When we're willing to work hard to create the healthier habits that combine all three, we'll not only transform our body, but build a brain that refuses to resort back to its bad behaviour.

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