We’ve devised a simple, eight-point weight loss checklist to help you identify why you aren’t losing weight and how you can get on track with your weight loss journey to see results fast.

Find out why you aren’t losing weight below:

REASON 1. YOUR DIET IS TOO STRICT

Our bodies need a certain amount of calories each day to function. If you don’t consume enough calories, your body goes into survival mode. This means that your body will store fat and reduce the number of calories you will burn. If you plan to diet for more than two or three weeks, simply cut just 500 calories per day (i.e. aim for 2000 for men and 1500 for women).

Tip – Check your calcium intake too. In a recent trial, women eating 120mg calcium per day lost 22% more fat than those who didn’t.

REASON 2. YOU DON’T SNACK ENOUGH

Did you know that you can speed up your metabolism by eating little and often? So let’s get snacking! Why not try the following snack ideas, combined with slightly smaller main meals, to boost your metabolism and see your weight loss rocket: an apple, spread with a little peanut butter, a low-fat yoghurt with half a pear, or a couple of Ryvita crackers topped with low-fat hummus.

REASON 3. YOU DON’T DRINK ENOUGH WATER

Many people don’t realise that thirst can be confused with hunger, leading us to eat more when all we needed was a glass of water. At Natural Beauty Slimming we always recommend having a drink before eating to help to keep yourself hydrated and avoid slowing your metabolism right down, due to dehydration.

REASON 4. YOU DON’T EAT ENOUGH FAT

Did you know that certain fats can help to speed up your metabolism? Research from the US found that people lost more weight when about 3% of their calorie intake came from fat.

Tip – Choose “good” fats such as avocado, cheese, nuts and fish, and avoid “bad” fats like biscuits and crisps.

REASON 5. YOUR DIET IS TOO BLAND

Research has shown that you tend to eat more of a meal if it’s boring. Testers felt fuller quicker when they added low-calorie versions of strong-tasting foods to meals.

Tip – Try adding garlic, onion, ginger, radish or grated parmesan to your food.

REASON 6. YOUR FOOD IS TOO SALTY

Many of us eat over 50% of the recommended maximum daily salt intake of 6g. Your body retains fluid to dilute the salt if the levels are too high and ready meals and baked beans are the major culprits of this.

Tip – Eat potassium-rich foods such as tomatoes, banana’s and orange juice along with a glass of cranberry juice each day to flush out those toxins.

REASON 7. YOU’VE GOT HIGH FIBRE SYNDROME

If you lose weight when eating whole grains, fruit and vegetables but your stomach swells throughout the day, don’t worry. The swelling is just gas produced by fibre foods building up.

Tip – Chewing high-gas producing foods such as onion, cabbage, leeks, brussels sprouts and cabbage, thoroughly can help to reduce the effects.



REASON 8. YOU’RE STILL DIETING THE HARD WAY

Weight loss needn’t be hard and it certainly shouldn’t leave us feeling hungry or zapped of energy. That’s why at Natural Beauty Slimming we encourage you to ditch your old and hard way of dieting and lose weight with us instead.