The Top 6 Mistakes That Women Make When Starting A New Diet

The weight rebound is a real thing. The majority of women who lose a significant amount of weight end up gaining most of it back in the coming years. This doesn't have to be the case for you, though, because there are many ways to avoid that common boomerang effect. The thing about weight loss is, the steps required aren't actually that hard to follow. The problem for most people is the consistency and patience that is required.

I've been working as a weight-loss coach and trainer for almost a decade, and I've worked with a variety of demographics. No matter what stage of life you're in or what your circumstances are, you've probably made one or more of these mistakes when you start a brand new diet in an attempt to shed excess body fat. Here are some tips on how to avoid these common mistakes in the future.

The weight rebound is a real thing.

You Give up Too Early

Patience is really the most difficult element of weight loss. It's easy to get frustrated when you don't see the results you very much want to see, but you can't just throw in the towel after a month because you haven't dropped a dress size yet. You have to be patient with yourself and understand that it simply takes time to see the results you want—and that's perfectly okay. In fact, research shows that you're much more likely to keep the weight off if you shed it slowly. So don't give up yet and just stay consistent. The results will come, and they'll be here to stay.

You're Too Strict with Your Diet

The motivation you feel early on in your diet won't be there forever, so even though you think you can completely swear off sugar and bread for the next two months, it's not likely you'll make it to the end without "messing up." And if you disappoint yourself early on, you're more likely to throw in the towel early because, well, you already messed up anyway. There's another risk of being too strict with your diet—you binge eat over the weekend when you're tired and you feel uncomfortably deprived from all the things you love to eat. Stick to the 85/15 rule: 85% of the time, eat the clean, nutrient dense foods you know you should eat, and 15% of the time, step outside the boundaries and enjoy yourself a little.

Patience is really the most difficult element of weight loss.

You Don't Set Realistic Goals

Be honest with yourself. Are you taking on too much? Are you setting unrealistic goals? If you fail early on, you might just pull the plug and choose not to finish your program. If you're at a point in your life where you don't exercise, don't expect yourself to suddenly workout 5 days a week without fail. Set a realistic goal that you feel pretty confident about hitting, and you'll set yourself up for longterm success.

You Don't Manage Stress or Sleep Well

The things people focus on the most are diet and exercise when it comes to weight loss. These are two of the most important factors, but they don't complete the whole picture. You also have to manage your stress and sleep well on a regular basis, which will help your body recover well, balance your hormones, and boost your immune system. These habits will also help your body's metabolic functions perform at a high level, meaning you'll shed fat and build muscle easier.

You Worry Too Much about What Others Think

I've seen a lot of clients fail to meet their goals because they're afraid to take the necessary steps to change their lifestyle and be judged harshly by their family or friends. When you embark on a weight-loss journey, you have to be laser-focused on your goals and not worry about whatever comments people may make in response to the choices you're making. They may think you're crazy, but you have to do what you have to do to get your health in order.

You also have to manage your stress and sleep well on a regular basis.

You Overexercise

A lot of women overcommit to exercising and overwork themselves, thinking that will help them lose weight faster. But you have to consider your hormones and nervous system. You don't want to overstress your system, as that will result in metabolic dysfunction. If doing high-intensity workouts just makes you feel more anxious or stressed out, remember that walking is a perfectly suitable cardio that can give you a great deal of benefits. Put your sneakers on and go for a 30-minute stroll.