3 Things You’re Doing to Lose Weight That Are Making You Gain Weight Instead

Does it feel like you’re doing everything to lose weight—or at least keep from gaining it—but nothing’s working?

Or maybe you manage to lose a few pounds, but before you know it, they creep back… and then some? 🫣

Oh, have I been there.

I used to structure my entire day around trying to either burn calories or avoid consuming them.

Yet no matter how much effort I put into my weight loss goals, I could never just arrive and stay at a stable size.

And honestly?

My weight seemed to have a mind of its own—creeping up despite my best efforts, like it was out of my control.

But fast forward to today…

I’ve maintained a 40-pound weight loss for nine years—naturally and effortlessly.

My weight is no longer a struggle.

🍕I eat what I want—with no foods off limits—feel satisfied as my norm, and don’t follow a single diet rule.

So what changed?

I realized I’d been following weight loss advice that was actually keeping me stuck in a cycle of weight gain.

Here’s the thing:

A lot of mainstream weight loss advice is designed to keep you struggling.

(😒 And yes, that’s intentional. The diet industry makes billions by keeping you convinced you’re the problem, not their products or programs.)

So let’s talk about three things you might be doing to lose weight that are actually making you gain it.

(And yes, I used to do them, too!)

Common Mistake #1: Focusing on Losing Weight Instead of Fixing Why You’re Gaining It

One big reason you might be stuck in a cycle of losing and regaining weight?

You’re focused on short-term weight loss instead of addressing why your body is gaining excess weight in the first place.

Without getting to the root cause, the pattern will keep repeating—no matter how much effort you put into making the scale go down.

For example, say you count calories for a few months and lose 15 pounds.

But if stress eating is a habit for you—and that’s what was causing the weight gain—then it’s only a matter of time before those 15 pounds (plus more) come back.

Instead of focusing on things like calorie counting or food tracking, the real key is to address why you’ve been eating in excess in the first place.

Because once you stop the cause of weight gain, you no longer have to battle to keep it off.

Common Mistake #2: Believing Weight Loss Requires Going Hungry

Ever thought you should be a little hungry all the time if you’re trying to lose weight?

I did!

I used to feel proud when I was hungry because I thought it meant I was this close to results.

But you know what was actually right around the corner?

The next binge. 🍫🍩🧁🍪🍦🍿

Because when you’re constantly a little bit hungry, your cravings intensify.

The urges to eat build and build—until suddenly, you’re scraping the bottom of a container of Ben & Jerry’s, wondering what just happened.

Here’s the truth:

Letting yourself get too hungry is one of the biggest drivers of overeating.

When I released 40 pounds, I didn’t ignore my hunger.

I listened to it.

I took it as a sign that it was time to eat—without guilt or fear.

Many women struggle with their weight because they start to fear eating. Every meal feels like a slippery slope to weight gain.

But let me be clear:

Eating isn’t the problem.

Overeating is.

And going hungry is one of the biggest factors that increases the urge to overeat.

So if you’re stuck in that cycle, this is your permission slip to let that go.

Common Mistake #3: Obsessively Checking the Scale

If you’re trying to lose weight, you probably weigh yourself regularly.

How else are you supposed to track progress, right?

Well… it’s not that simple.

In reality, the scale is often sabotaging your efforts.

Think about it: How do you feel when you step on the scale?

For most people, that number dictates their mood—and their actions—for the entire day.

Maybe you see a number you don’t like and think, “I need to eat less.”

🍽 So you skip a meal… get way too hungry… and end up overeating later.

Or maybe the number triggers frustration and shame, so you go straight into a “screw it” food fest.

(By the way, that’s an actual psychological effect called the “What the Hell” Effect, where we spiral out when we think we’ve failed.)

Bottom line? The scale often triggers stress and emotional eating, making weight loss harder.

So my advice?

❌ Step away from the scale.

Just like watching a kettle doesn’t make the water boil faster, obsessively checking your weight doesn’t help you lose weight faster.

Spare yourself the emotional rollercoaster.

Instead, focus on the process of mastering your mindset and habits around food—and let your clothes be your progress tracker. 👖

Lose the Weight Struggle for Life

If you’re tired of never knowing if last summer’s jeans will fit next year, I want you to know:

There is a way to end the weight chaos.

🧘‍♀️ Your body actually wants to be stable at its happy weight—just like your blood pressure and heart rate want to be stable.

But you won’t get there through crash diets, starvation, or obsessing over the scale.

You will get there when you:

✨ Clear the mental chaos of diet rules and food guilt and develop a drama-free relationship with food

✨ Master the art of eating for satisfaction—so you get to enjoy food again, while naturally stopping when you’ve had enough

✨ Find deliciousness in life beyond food—so food is no longer your default source of pleasure, comfort, or escape

These steps?

Are exactly what I guide smart women like you through in my private coaching program, The Delicious Life.

If you’re ready to stop the struggle and create lasting ease with food…

📲 DM me the word “delicious” on Instagram

💌 Or send me an email to inquire!