1. Not eating enough food during each. If you know a little about weight loss, you’ve probably heard that it’s better to consume small, healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. However, many people have a hard time believing it. Often they skip breakfast and sometimes even lunch then load up when they’re really hungry, generally at dinner or middle of the night.

One of greatest misconceptions is that by skipping meals you’re saving calories. It seems OK to eat one big 1,500-calorie meal instead of spreading the 1,500 calories over several meals. But it’s not. Skipping meals throws off the metabolism and kicks the body into starvation mode. You end up holding onto the fat, instead of burning it.

So I am going to say it once more. To keep metabolism steady and lose weight, eat small, healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. Choose low-fat protein, high fiber and vegetables. I also like eating apples especially in the evening.

2. Starting a diet at the wrong time. Many people insist they want to lose weight, but they really aren’t ready. As you know losing weight takes commitment… Circumstances like financial hardship or a divorce won’t allow your weight loss to be No. 1. If you can’t give your dieting the focus it needs, it will not be successful. When you’re ready, really ready, make eating right and exercise your No. 1 priority and you will get different results.

3. Setting unrealistic expectations. You’d be surprised how often people say that they want to lose something like 30 pounds in two months. Well, unless you can workout like an athlete, this is unrealistic. It didn’t take only two months to put on those pounds, so it will probably going to take longer to take them off as well. If you start with an unrealistic goal, you’re not going to succeed. Did you know that the average American on a weight loss program loses 3 pounds a week? That’s a good, healthy number. Even if you just lose a pound a week, it adds up to 52 lbs a year. If you were consistent for three years that would be over 150 lbs.

4. Being too busy to stick to the plan. Healthy eating and consistent exercise take time, thought and planning. If you want to lose weight, you’ll have to plan ahead, especially if you’re working crazy hours or traveling. Eating the right food and sticking to a plan should be as natural as brushing your teeth. For example, block out an hour for exercise, and nothing should get in your way of going to the gym or exercising at home short of an emergency. Don’t let your schedule to bleed into your work out routine or force you to make unhealthy food choices.

5. Focusing on a short-term result. Are you getting married, or attending you class reunion or going on a cruise and you want to look your best? Listen, I don’t mind these things being great motivators, but they shouldn’t be the finish line either. Short term-ers always gain the weight back. The finish line should be three years down the road. Incorporating exercise and better eating habits into your lifestyle will give you a better chance of long-term success.

6. Checking weight too often. When you’re trying to lose weight fast, it’s easy to become scale-obsessed. Weighing yourself too much can lead to panic if you feel like you aren’t seeing results. There are a lot of factors that can affect what the scale says. If you’re on the scale all the time, the numbers you’re seeing might be false. Your weight can fluctuate two or three pounds a day. You weigh more at night than in the morning. I would recommend checking your weight once a week, the same time, same way. Do it every Monday morning without your clothes on and try to be consistent.

7. Doing it alone. Weight loss works best in a supportive environment, both at work and at home. So many of us get sabotaged by other people. Even if st’s not always intentional the results are the same. You should ask for support from your family, friends and colleagues. Sit down with people, and let them know what you’re trying to do and how important it is to you. Most people will respect that level of sincerity. You may also have to limit your interaction with people who aren’t on board, especially around food.

To get support online join our Free Community where you can interact with like minded individuals that are working on losing weight at the same time.

What other mistakes have you experienced when losing weight??

NOTE: The following links are provided for information and reference purposes only. Unless specifically indicated, we neither endorse nor recommend these websites.

American Diabetes Association… Their mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by this disease. Available in English and Spanish.

Canadian Diabetes Association… The Canadian Diabetes Association also offers information about this disease.

Asian Diabetes Association… Statistics, Facts & News related largely to Diabetes in Asia, plus breakthrough Diabetes Research.

Diabetes Federation of Ireland… The Diabetes Federation of Ireland has been dedicated to helping people with diabetes since 1967

Diabetes and Wellness Foundation… Helping diabetics and pre-diabetics live healthier lives through controlled exercise and mentored wellness regimens.

Defeat Diabetes Foundation… Focusing on the prevention of this disease, the needs of the patients and their families, with an emphasis on self-management.

Diabetes Action Research & Education Foundation… Aim is to fund promising diabetes research which might not otherwise receive government funding. Provides programs, events, and recipes.

The Charles Ray III Diabetes Association… Their mission is to make a difference in the lives of diabetics in North Carolina by providing equipment and encouragement to those in need, especially minorities.

Diabetes Education Society… Produces patient education programs that can be used for ADA recognition, seminars for health care professionals, and tracking computer software.

Diabetes Hope Foundation… A grassroots non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of children and adolescents living with diabetes.

American Association of Diabetes Educators… Helping to advance the practice of diabetes self-management training as an integral component of health care for persons with diabetes, including lifestyle management for prevention.

DAYS: Diabetes And You Society… Their aim is to reach out to underprivileged children who are diabetic and don’t know how to manage it.

Declaration of the Americas on Diabetes… Promotes better health for people affected by diabetes in the Americas through public and private partnerships.

APSA International… Health association working for the prevention of diabetes and education towards a full and healthy life. Includes news, projects, sponsors, the APSA Diabetic Club and information about Mauritius and diabetes.

Children’s Diabetes Foundation of the North Bay… Provides support for research, resources, and services for children and their families.

Diabetes Education and Research Center… A non-profit organization serving the needs of people living in Philadelphia, PA and surrounding communities.

Diabetes Institutes Foundation… Southeastern Virginia. Supporting cure research, clinical care, and education. Includes news articles, events, chat archives, and ways one can help.

Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation… Mission is to help find the cure for diabetes, provide education, and self-management skills needed to combat this disease.

The Iacocca Foundation… Funding innovative and promising diabetes research programs and projects that will lead to a cure for the disease and alleviate complications caused by it.

Immunology of Diabetes Society Homepage… An international collaborative initiative set up to advance research related to the etiology, pathogenesis, prevention and cure of Type 1 diabetes.

National Diabetes Alliance… To assist independent and allied diabetes organizations provide physical and social well-being of persons with diabetes.

No Limits Diabetes… Foundation’s goal is to provide events and challenges that give teens life-lasting skills of day-to-day control of their diabetes.

International Committee for Insulin Resistance… Serves to inform people not only of the insulin resistance syndrome, but also of a physicians’ congress on the topic.

International Diabetes Federation (IDF)… Helps to provide information for patients, researchers, and clinicians regarding diabetes and its complications.

Diabetes Resource Center… A non-profit organization of health care providers dedicated to improving the quality of life for diabetics with education, resources, referrals, and support.

T.H.O.R. Foundation, Inc.… Offering education to children with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, scholarships to help attend conferences and camps, also encourages advocacy.

WorldWIDE… Charitable foundation dedicated to providing healthcare professionals throughout the world with training, education, and information on diabetes.

Joslin Diabetes Center… Features news, patient services, professional education, research information, an online library, camps, and discussion groups.

Abate Diabetes… Provides a fact sheet on diabetes addressing the causes, symptoms, preventions, and treatment available. Includes a self test.

Ascensia Dream Fund… Provides examples of what can be accomplished through successful diabetes self-management.

Diabetes Society of Santa Clara Valley… Provides an interactive community that improves the lives of people affected by diabetes through education, advocacy, and support services.

Diabetes Youth Services… Based in Toledo, Ohio. Provides educational and supportive services for young people with diabetes, their families, schools, and communities.

The Foundation for Diabetes Education… Seeks to identify and educate children with Type 2 diabetes and enable them to make the transition to a lifestyle that will lessen complications of the disease.

Garden State Association of Diabetes Educators… Advancing the practice of diabetes self-management training and care as integral components of health care for persons with diabetes, and lifestyle management for the prevention of diabetes.

Gulf Coast Diabetes Foundation… Non-profit organization serving the needs of people in Florida. Learn more about their mission and how to make a tax deductible donation.

California Diabetes Foundation… Southern California’s educational site to create awareness and help in the prevention of this disease.

IPump… Non-profit organization assisting underinsured persons with diabetes medications, supplies, and insulin pumps in the U.S.

Islet Replacement Research Foundation… Voluntary nonprofit grantmaker and supporter of diabetes research to help find a cure for Type 1.

JDRF… Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International’s site for kids with diabetes. Contains information on research, publications, advocacy, and getting involved.

Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project… Highlights the research, intervention and training within the schools and community to prevent Type 2 diabetes in Kahnawake and other aboriginal communities.

Michigan Organization of Diabetes Educators… Advancing the role of the diabetes educator and improving the quality of diabetes education and care.

Northeastern Association of Diabetes Educators… Located in northeastern, Pennsylvania. Offers information on upcoming education retreats for children and parents with diabetes, and educator events.

Prosthetics for Diabetics Foundation… Helping diabetics who have a need for a prosthesis, but who are financially unable to receive one.

The Pueblo Community Diabetes Project… A community collaborative organized to improve diabetes care in Pueblo and the Southern Colorado region.

Sugarbugs… Located in Greenbrier. For the families of children with diabetes. Camp, chapter info, and skeet shoot.

Diabetes and Diabetics… Lists symptoms, causes, types, risk factors, management, complications, and discusses diet regimen.

Diabetes Handbook… Presents chapters about the types of diabetes, how to cope, monitoring, exercise, diet, medication, foot care, traveling, and sick day management.

Diabetes Home… Describes the disease and covers glucose, insulin, diet, exercise, pills, complications, and research. Written by a Canadian physician.

Diabetes Watch… Covers the aspects of this disease, management, diet, nutrition, fitness, myths and facts. Includes a newsletter and forum. By Aventis.

dLife – For Your Diabetes Life… Learn about the different types of diabetes, disease management, become a part of the community, and find articles from experts. Includes news and resources.

eMedicine Health – Diabetes… Consumer health resource center providing an overview of diabetes and its causes, symptoms, and treatment.

The Hormone Foundation: Diabetes… Features an overview, symptoms, treatment options, lifestyle issues and prevention; as well as other diabetes-related resources.

How Diabetes Works… Fully-illustrated tutorial looks at how your body handles glucose. Shows what insulin is, what it does, and how the lack of it affects your body. Includes current and future treatment. From How Stuff Works.

InteliHealth: Diabetes… Features articles on Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Contains interactive tools, news, ask the expert, and provides a search for medical literature.

Lifeclinic Diabetes Channel… A comprehensive resource on diabetic symptoms, hypoglycemia, diet, treatment options, chart records, blood glucose, and other vital medical information.

Lilly Diabetes… Learn more about managing your condition, taking insulin, and their products used to treat Type 1 and Type 2.

MedicineNet: Diabetes Overview… Medical information about diabetes therapies, complications, research, and treatment. Provides a support group and news via RSS feed.

National Diabetes Education Program… Covers diabetes control, prevention, resources for children, and awareness campaigns. From the National Institute of Health and Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse… Provides educational materials to increase knowledge and understanding about diabetes among patients, health care professionals, and the general public.

Security Guidelines for Air Travel With Diabetes… [PDF] Travelers with a diabetic condition should be aware of recent airport security measures that may impact their ability to travel.

Yahoo Health: Diabetes Health Center… Find information on Type 1 and Type 2. Includes symptoms, diagnosis, complications, and treatments.