Why You're Not Losing The Weight You're Expecting to Lose

Photo Credit: Ed Yourdon (flickr.com)

You've read all the success stories online. A 300-pound person turned his or her life for the better and is now weighing somewhere between 90 and 120 pounds. You then ask yourself why you can't lose a mere 10 kilos when the success stories you've read on the internet claims those people have lost at least 8 kilos a week. The answer is simple. They have a lot of pounds to shed that their weight reduction is almost exponential. Add to that the fact that they are in the right state of mind. If you are just under 200lbs, and have been so for a while, you may be losing weight at about the same rate, but you are not as overweight as the people you've read about. The important thing is, you're continually losing weight!

If you really need an explanation, let's take a look at a few factors. Your metabolism is one. Notice how some people eat more than you do and they don't gain weight at all while you almost starve yourself to death and don't lose weight. Either they're eating healthier and are working out more, or they just have better metabolism than you do.

As weight loss is pretty much achievable by diet and exercise, your diet may be faulty. It's not that you cheat, but the foods you eat may be taken the wrong way by your body. That being said, if you want to increase the rate you're losing weight, you may want to visit your doctor.

On the exercise side of things, you may be thinking that you're working out regularly but are not losing any weight or gaining any muscle. One possible reason for this is you've hit what most people call a "workout plateau." Simply put, the workout repetitions that you have put in before may not be having any effect on your body.

The solution to this is simple: add repetitions to your workout regimen or at least add variety to them. The aim is to feel the same soreness when you exercised for the first time, and doing that for a few weeks until it's your new "normal," in which case you can increase the reps again.

Finally, don't count your pounds. Just keep doing what you're doing. Some people can lose up to fifteen pounds in one month with Amazonia acai while others can do so in two weeks without them. If you feel envious of a friend who's losing eight kilos a week when you're losing only one, don't. It may take longer, but in due time you will be as fit and as healthy as anyone you know. The important thing is you're on the right track.

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Shape-Shifting Techniques: Workout Nutrition Tips for Every Body Builder

Photo credit: Greatist (flickr.com)

Working your way to a fit and toned body does not only involve spending hours at the gym to get your dream physique. More than the exercise itself, it's also essential to be mindful of what you consume so you can maximize the effectiveness of your workouts. Here's a short workout nutrition guide that every body builder or fitness junkie should know.

Keep yourself hydrated.

Your body produces a lot of sweat when you work out, hence the need to keep yourself hydrated to replenish the lost body fluid. Water should always be the primary source of fluid, but sports drinks can also help, especially if you are training for several hours every day. Different energy drinks can help replenish lost electrolytes that's typical when one's sweating or working out a lot.

Know what works for your pre workout meal.

There is really no strict formula when it comes to pre-workout meals. Pre-workout nutrition can depend on 3 things: 1) the amount of serving, 2) the types of food or drinks you consume, and 3) the particular time when you decide to take your snacks or meals. The type of food, timing, and amount of serving would likely be affected by the particular goals you want to achieve. Are you aiming to lose weight? Or maybe you're probably working on losing some fat, or maximizing your energy when you work out. Whatever it is you're striving so hard to achieve, it's best to experiment on your food choices so you'll have an idea how to gauge what's best for your needs and goals.

Photo credit: socialhealthservices (flickr.com)

Keep a workout diary.

Keeping a workout diary may seem tedious at first, but this can certainly help you track your progress and know what works or not. What are the supplements you're taking and their effects on your overall health and workout performance? Have you tried specific food and drink choices that helped you maximize your training? How is your body taking the timing and amount of food serving you follow on your diet plan right now? Basically, it will be a record of your routines and food choices so you can look back and take advantage what’s working for you.

Go for smart supplementation

Even if you like to eat all the food you need to get your dream physique, sometimes regular meals are not just enough. You can go for smart supplementation to maximize training and athletic performance without sacrificing the right amount of nutrition that your body needs. Look for supplements that are beneficial for the types of fitness goals you're eyeing and ask your doctor or a nutritionist for advice on what's safe to take or not.              

Remember, exercise and proper nutrition go hand in hand to achieve your fitness goals. Make sure you create a balance on your diet and workout plans so you can work on getting your dream body without sacrificing your nutritional needs.

Here are other articles you might find interesting:

Acai berry and other specialized supplements for workout nutrition: How to Be in Your Best Shape as an Athlete

20 Exercise Tips