Weight loss coach who became lean in 40s says your ‘body is not going to lose fat’ if you commit these 6 mistakes

Weight loss coach Melissa highlights the importance of hydration, adequate protein intake, and more key mistakes to avoid for effective fat loss.
Weight loss coach Melissa, who helps women lose weight and shares nutrition tips on Instagram, talked about the 6 fat loss mistakes people commit during their weight loss journey, which makes it harder for their body to lose fat.
In a post shared on June 13, the weight loss coach wrote, “If you’re eating 'healthy' but your body won’t drop the fat you want, these are the most common mistakes I see.” Let's find out the mistakes Melissa pointed out here:
1. Eating too much
According to the weight loss coach, though this one seems obvious, she sees many people who are new to their fat loss journey commit these mistakes. "Foods you think are healthy, you can still overeat - mindlessly snacking on pecans can really add calories. Also, things like sauces and dressings are most underestimated. I’ve seen a 1000-calorie salad on a client's log.
2. Drinking calories
Your morning latte, energy drinks, alcohol, and even healthy meal replacement shakes are on this list, per the weight loss coach. She stressed, “Most are high in sugars and extra calories.”

Additionally, Melissa pointed out, “The very act of chewing and digesting solid food burns more calories than drinking and helps your brain register that you have taken in calories, so you don’t want more soon after.”
3. Not eating enough protein
Protein makes you feel full at meals, digesting it actually burns calories, it increases your metabolism, and leads to overall decreased calorie consumption, the fitness coach stressed. Therefore, not eating enough protein might hamper your weight loss journey.
4. Not addressing stress, sleep, and rest
Per Melissa, often these 3 things easily get forgotten by people. Stress, lack of sleep, and no rest days raise cortisol levels and cause insulin sensitivity to decrease. “This means that your body is more likely to store fat and not get the recovery it needs to burn fat. Also, stress and lack of sleep increase appetite,” she added.

5. Lack of water
“Your body requires water for all of its metabolic processes and functions,” Melissa pointed out. Additionally, lack of water slows metabolism, hinders its ability to get rid of waste, and makes you think you're hungry when really, you’re just thirsty.
6. Too much cardio
Lastly, the weight loss coach shared that daily high-intensity cardio causes overproduction of cortisol, inflammation, and fatigue. Which goes back to the not enough rest or recovery, as she pointed out above.
“When you know the science behind fat loss, you can start putting your energy into what does matter and stop wasting time on what doesn’t,” she stressed.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
ABOUT THE AUTHORKrishna Pallavi PriyaKrishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.Read More
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