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21 Interesting Facts and Information About Christmas for Kids
There’s something special about Christmas and kids look forward to this festival the most. And why shouldn't they? After all, they get gifts from Santa Claus. But there’s more to Christmas than gifts and decorating the house. Your kids will have Christmas holidays and will most likely spend their time playing. How about this time you share with them some amazing facts about Christmas? Read these Christmas facts to your kids and help them learn about this festival. They can share this amazing information about Christmas with their friends too!
Amazing Christmas Facts for Children
Tell these jolly good Christmas facts to your kids. We are sure your children will love to know the history of everything that makes Christmas so special.
1. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is an annual Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The 25th day of December was chosen to mark His birthday by the Roman Catholic Church years after His death. And this Christian holiday is celebrated by Christians all over the world.
2. Christmas trees were first used by ancient Egyptians and Romans
The origin or the use of Christmas trees goes way back to ancient Egyptians and Romans. They used evergreen trees like fir or pine trees, wreaths, and garlands. And the use of modern Christmas trees started in Germany in the 16th century. Instead of the glitzy decorations that we see on them today, they were decorated with fruits and nuts. Wet bet you didn’t know this interesting fact about the Christmas tree!
3. The term 'Xmas' simply means Christmas
The use of the term ‘Xmas’ dates back to the 16th century. The 'X' in the word Xmas comes from the ancient Greek language. In Greek, Christ begins with the letter X. So, Xmas simply means Christmas.
4. Santa Claus was known as Sinterklaas in Dutch
For children, Christmas is all about receiving gifts from Santa Claus. But how did Santa Claus come into existence? The character of Santa Claus is based on St. Nicholas. As per a legend, St. Nicholas was a Christian bishop who provided for the poor and needy. He also loved children and enjoyed giving gifts to them secretly. As his story spread, he was called Sinterklaas in Dutch, which later became Santa Claus. We bet, you didn't know this fact either!
5. Santa Claus did not always dress up in red clothes
Santa Claus initially wore clothes that were in green, purple, or blue. For many years, this was the common theme for the jolly old man at the North Pole. However, Coca Cola decided to dress him up in colours that match their brand and that stuck. So this is why he is always in red clothes now!
6. Rudolph, the 'Red-Nosed Reindeer' has helpers too!
So you and your kids probably know Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, who pulls Santa's sled on Christmas Eve. But do you know other reindeers? It would be impossible for Rudolph alone to pull Santa’s sled, don't you think? It is filled with gifts to the brim for every good child in the world, and Rudolph can't pull that all alone. Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, is in fact, Santa's ninth reindeer. And there are eight other reindeers who help him. These eight reindeers are Cupid, Dancer, Vixen, Dunder, Comet, Dasher, Prancer, and Blixem.
7. Baby Jesus received some wonderful gifts when He was born
When Jesus was born, a bright star shone in the sky. Three kings followed this star and made a long journey to the birthplace of Jesus. They bore with them gifts of gold, frankincense (aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes), and oils.
8. The Christmas wreath is a symbol of love and eternal life
The Christmas wreath is representative of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore. Eventually, the colours of Christmas – red, green, and gold were added. Red is said to represent the blood of Jesus, green is supposed to symbolize life, and gold stands for royalty and light. And the evergreen foliage used to make Christmas wreaths symbolises the continuity of life and nature even in the darkest days of winters.
9. Carolling is based on the tradition of wassailing
Have you ever wondered why people go door to door singing carols? The tradition is based on the English custom of wassailing, which was a tradition to toast to someone’s good health and fortune. St. Francis of Assisi took this tradition and converted it to the modern form of carolling.
10. Santa Claus gets gifts too!
Santa comes bearing gifts for the children who have been good throughout the year. But do you know that Santa gets gifts too? Who gives presents to Santa? It's us! Yes, even you can give gifts to Santa! And no, the jolly old man does not want traditional gifts, but he is a bit partial to cookies and milk to keep him satisfied during his trip around the world. So this Christmas, ask your children to help you while you make cookies for them and for Santa. Santa will love eating cookies made with love!
11. Christmas cakes are not really plum cakes
One of the best parts about Christmas is the Christmas cake, and we all love eating it. But does your child know what cakes are consumed during Christmas? It's plum cake! The cakes we get to eat during the Christmas holidays are known as plum cakes but there are, in fact, no plums in the cake! Raisins were known as plums in medieval times and the ingredients were stirred in an East to West direction similar to that of the journey of the three wise men.
12. Santa gets a lot of work done with the help of elves!
One of the reasons Santa can make his marathon runs through the day and give gifts to the kids all over the world is due to the help of elves. The merry spirit of Christmas is because of these cheerful workers and their commitment to the kids of the world.
13. Mistletoe is the symbol of love and laughter!
Mistletoe is supposed to be a symbol of love, laughter, and compassion. And the tradition of a kiss under the mistletoe is supposed to a way of asking for the blessings of the spirits of Christmas through the mistletoe.
14. Christmas stockings are cute, warm, and spacious!
The tradition of nailing Christmas stockings near a fireplace came about in order to help Santa have a place to stuff candies and goodies for bright and cheerful children of the world. It also serves as an endless supply of socks for Santa.
15. Wearing cute and stylish Christmas sweaters is now a competition
No Christmas is complete if you and your kids don't wear adorable Christmas sweaters. But did you know that a large part of the world has contests like the 'best Christmas sweater competition'? When kids wear cute Christmas sweaters, they look adorable and they make beautiful memories to cherish forever.
16. Lumps of coal are gifts too!
Did you know that Santa does not simply ignore the children who have been bad throughout the year? He puts pieces of coal into the child’s stocking instead of gifts! This tradition started in Italy. Yet another important reason for children to be good through the year and do as many good deeds as they can!
17. People give Christmas cards to convey their feelings to their loved ones
One of the most fun rituals of Christmas is the exchange of Christmas cards. You can ask your child to make your own cards with embellishments of his choice. By giving Christmas cards, they can convey their feelings to the person they like and wish them well.
18. Alabama was the first state in the US to have recognised Christmas as an official holiday!
Yes, you read that right! Alabama was the first state in the US to recognize Christmas as a holiday in the year 1836. We bet you didn't know this - but you know it now and so will your kids! Your kids will be curious to know about the last state too, so feed their curiosity. It's Oklahoma! Oklahoma recognized Christmas as a holiday in the year 1907.
19. There's a story behind the '12 days of Christmas'
Did you or your kids ever wonder why the holidays of Christmas are referred to as the ‘12 days of Christmas’? Legend has it that the three kings took twelve days to travel to the birthplace of baby Jesus, hence the holidays of Christmas are known as 12 days of Christmas.
20. The biggest Christmas gift was the gift of friendship to the US from the people of France!
Christmas is also the time of exchanging gifts. People either save up through the year to buy gifts for their friends and family or make the gifts themselves. But do you know which is the largest Christmas present ever given? It is the Statue of Liberty! The Statue of Liberty was gifted by France to the USA as a Christmas gift in the year 1886.
21. The traditional Christmas meal is not what you think it is!
The traditional Christmas meal in England before turkey became the obvious choice of food for the holidays was a pig’s head covered with mustard.
There are many traditions and customs your kids can partake in the happiest time of the year. Remember to involve them in as many rituals as you can, be it decorating the tree and house or making plum cakes. The festivities begin at home and will be treasured by your children for years to come.
Also Read:
Amazing Christmas Gift Ideas for Children
Amazing Christmas Stories for Children
Christmas Songs & Poems for Children Read more
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Aathira Renjith
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4 mins ago
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5 Weeks Pregnant: What to Expect
You have finally stepped in the week when there can be no doubt about your pregnancy. If you are pregnant, you will definitely find out this week because by the 5th week you would have already missed your period by about 7 days, the HCG hormone in your body will be high, and you will be eager to take a test and find out what is happening. Also, the pregnancy symptoms will be stronger around this time. So, you have officially become the member of the pregnancy club. Congratulations!
Video: 5 Week Pregnant - What to Expect?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTMQm1KuqY4
Your Baby’s Growth during Pregnancy- Week 5
The embryo is growing fast inside you and your baby now looks like a small tadpole with a primitive head and tail. The embryo now has three layers – the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm. These three layers will later develop into various body parts and complete your baby’s features. The neural tube also starts to develop this week in the top layer or the ectoderm. Your baby’s brains, spinal cord, nerve, and backbone will all sprout out of the neural tube. His heart and circulatory system have started to form in the mesoderm. In fact, in the 5th week, your baby’s heart will start splitting into various chambers, beating and pumping blood, and all this is happening with the help of the yolk sac that is actively providing nourishment to your baby through the red blood cells. Exciting, isn’t it?
What Is The Baby’s Size?
At 5 weeks pregnant, the baby's size is as small as an orange seed or an apple seed. The embryo looks more like a tadpole with undeveloped head and tail, but this will change, and in less than 8 months from now, you will give birth to a healthy baby.
Common Body Changes
By the 5th week, you have received plenty of indications from your body that you are pregnant. It is time to do the pregnancy test, and on confirmation, break the news to your partner. The pregnancy hormone, HCG, is pretty high in your urine by now and you are 99% likely to get a positive result if you are actually pregnant. Mood swings are the most obvious change that you and the people around you will have to adapt to for the next nine months. Other body changes during pregnancy differ from women to women, but we will discuss some common ones that are also the pregnancy symptoms.
Symptoms of Pregnancy at Week 5
The pregnancy symptoms will be more obvious from this week onwards till the end of the first trimester. Only in a handful of cases these symptoms last throughout the pregnancy and that can be a little tough.
Aching and sore breasts is one of the most common and prominent symptoms during week 5 of the pregnancy.
Well, from this week on you may realize that morning sickness is not really ‘morning sickness’. It can happen any time of the day. Most moms feel nauseated throughout the day till the end of the first trimester. The smell of some food items may make you through up instantly.
The baby's development is picking up speed leaving you exhausted. It is ok to feel tired and nap anytime during the day if you want to. There is really not much you can do about it, other than to take rest when you have to.
Your kidneys have started to expand now, and you may feel like going to the loo more frequently than ever!
During the 5th week, if you feel cramps in your stomach, it may mean that your uterus is expanding and stretching your ligaments. But if the cramp is abnormally painful, then consult your doctor right away.
Spotting after sex could be because of the pressure on the sensitive cervix. Since it’s the 5th week already, consulting the doctor if it occurs is not a bad idea.
In a few cases, mothers-to-be don’t go through any of the above symptoms, or these symptoms just come and go. But that is completely normal, and not having pregnancies symptoms doesn’t mean that there is any problem with your pregnancy.
Belly at 5 Weeks of Pregnancy
At 5 weeks of pregnancy, your belly is not going to look any different. It may feel a little bloated or you may feel like you have gained about one kilogram, but that too is rare. There may not be any pregnancy weight gain during week 5. In fact, many moms suffering from constant nausea and vomiting may lose a little weight. But don’t worry about it. You have 8 months ahead of you to gain a lot of weight.
5 Weeks Ultrasound
Your doctor may not advise you an ultrasound scan during week 5. Only women with a history of pregnancy complications may be advised a scan. As mentioned before, at week 5 your baby looks like a tadpole and is a size of an orange seed. Also, your baby’s heart starts beating this week, but none of this can be seen or felt during the ultrasound. All you may see in the ultrasound is a thickened uterine lining which slowly moves up and down.
What to Eat?
It is an established fact that pregnant women must eat right all the time. But how much is that possible starting week 5 and until the end of the first trimester, is a big question. Food aversions are really a simplified term used to define the distaste for food at the sight that you develop during this phase. Especially the sight of egg, chicken, and other protein-rich poultry food may drive you crazy. Here are a few tips on how to put together a protein-rich 5th week pregnancy diet.
Find protein-rich food outside poultry. Indulge is soy pasta, tofu, nuts, legumes, beans, and certain grains.
Hate milk already? There is always cheese and yogurt to supplement the calcium from the milk and that’s good enough.
Greens make you turn red? Don’t hesitate to replace them with orange veggies and lots of citrus and other fruits.
Treat yourself with what you like. Some carbs here and there will not harm you. Stay calm because if you are lucky you will start enjoying your food by the end of the first trimester.
Tips & Care
Rest and sleep can make a world of difference. So, shut your eyes and take a nap whenever you feel like it. Eight hours of sleep is mandatory. Make room for it in your daily schedule. The soaring progesterone levels, low blood sugar, low blood pressure, and increased blood volume is going to leave you very tired. Rest and sleep is the only way to boost your mood. Hence, have guilt-free sleep time for yourself.
Dos
Consult your doctor and get a blood test done at a medical centre.
Knock out unpasteurised food and under-cooked meat and egg from your diet.
Find healthy, tasty, and desirable replacements to various nutrients.
Fine tune your taste buds with the help of vitamin B6, ginger capsules, nausea reducing lozenges or lollipops, and acupressure wristbands.
Include some healthy and light exercises to build strength and endurance.
Get yourself a supplement of prenatal vitamin with folic acid.
Drink lots and lots of water.
Don’ts
Avoid junk food.
Quit smoking, drinking or using drugs.
Quit caffeine.
What You Need to Shop For
Your shopping bucket for week 5 stays uncomplicated. Buy yourself a book on pregnancy, or a pregnancy journal, comfortable cotton bras, stretchy pants, leggings, and anything else that’s loose on the tummy. Your skinny jeans’ buttons may feel a little uncomfortable on your bloated tummy, so avoid them.
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Luke Name Meaning and Origin
There are various aspects to a name, and parents consider them when naming their child. Along with pronunciation, the meaning of a name plays a vital part when choosing a name. The name Luke has been widely popular since 1955 but skyrocketed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This is one of the classic names that never fade out of popularity. In the 21st century, Luke is one of the most popular baby names.
What Does Luke Mean?
Parents are focused on choosing a name for their child that is trendy and has a beautiful meaning. The meaning of Luke is “light” derived from Latin and, therefore, has a symbolic meaning. In French, the name also means “light” as well as “laidback,” and in English, it means “bringer of light.” The name is popular in Greek since it refers to the patron saint of creatives, artists, and doctors.
Origin
A shortened form of the name Lukas in Greek, the origin of the name Luke comes from ancient Rome. This name came from Lucas, which is procured from the Latin word “Lux.” Luke is also one of the four writers of the Gospel; therefore, you can identify the Biblical connotations from the New Testament of the Bible.
Gender
Male
Pronunciation
Lyook
Luuk
Syllables
1 syllable
Length/Letter
4 letters
Name Variations/Spellings
Other spellings for Luke cater to the trend of this name in various religions, cultures, and traditions. It gives an insight into the cultural significance of the name. Therefore, some of the Luke name variations are:
Name
Origin
Luca
Italian
Lukasz
Polish
Luukas
Finnish
Luc
French
Lúcás
Irish
Lukyan
Russian
Lukacs
Hungarian
Lluc
Catalan
Luka
Georgian
Lucio
Spanish
How Popular Is the Name Luke?
The popularity of the name continued from the late 1970s when the name got a significant boost in the baby name ranking. As per the Luke popularity index, the popularity of the name is increasing with time. In regards to the data from the Social Security Administration, the name is within the top 100 baby boy names in the US. The popularity of the name continued from the late 1970s when it got a significant boost in the baby name ranking. From 2001, the name entered the top 50 list and has never slipped down. The name continues to rank up. In 2004, the name ranked 41, after which the name ranking dropped to 46 in 2007.
According to the SSA data, the name quickly elevated its ranking from 2011. The name ranked 28 consecutively in 2014 and 2015, followed by 29 in 2016 and 30 in 2017. Although there is a slight decrease in the name’s popularity, it maintains its stable position within the top 50 list. The name ranked 32 in 2019 and 31 in 2020. Therefore, there is adequate scope for the name to increase in ranking in the upcoming years.
Interest in Luke - Worldwide
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As per worldwide trends, the interest for the name Luke has ranked up in the last decade. The name ranked the lowest in May 2011, followed by an upward curve. The interest in the name spiked in December 2015 and October 2016, with a perfect score in March 2019. Although the interest in the name varies worldwide, its increase in interest in December 2020 suggests its consistent popularity.
Interest in Luke - US
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In the US, the interest in the name Luke has varied over the last ten years. The name has maintained a rank over 20, where it dipped the lowest in February 2011. On the contrary, the name ranked the highest in March 2019, with a rank of 100. Although the interest in the name has considerably decreased, it increased again in December 2020, indicating its probability of ranking high again.
Popularity of the name Luke
URL: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
Where Is the Name Most Searched?
Search trends of Luke - Worldwide
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According to the worldwide trends of the last decade, Australia ranks the highest where the name Luke is the most searched. It is followed by the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. These are the top five countries where the name is most used.
Search trends of Luke - US
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The search trends in the US indicate that the name Luke has been the most popular in Arizona, followed by Kentucky in the last ten years. West Virginia, Mississippi, and Tennessee are other cities where the name has been the most popular.
Middle Names That Go With Luke
Some people may think a middle name’s not necessary. However, it plays a crucial role in maintaining a balance of your child’s overall name. Therefore, selecting a middle name should be done with careful consideration. This list includes some of the double names with Luke:
Christopher
Lysander
Benjamin
Isaac
Nicholas
Owen
Nathaniel
Thomas
Maxwell
Achilles
Jake
Alexander
Donovan
Antonio
Abraham
Jonathan
Joseph
Harrison
Hunter
Henry
Famous People Named Luke
Apart from its beautiful meaning, celebrities often have an impact on the popularity of a name. The same goes for this name. Famous people called Luke have helped in increasing the popularity of this name.
Celebrity Name
Profession/Famous For
Luke Allen
American baseball player
Luke Anthony
Australian actor
Luke Bilyk
Canadian actor
Luke Barnatt
English mixed martial artist
Luke Butler
American artist
Luke Archer
American baseball player
Luke Chan
Chinese-Canadian actor
Luke Babbitt
American basketball player
Luke Cornwall
English footballer
Luke Bowen
British race car driver
Similar Names & Last Names
There are countless variations to a name that have different spellings but have the same or similar meanings. The same goes for baby names like, where Luke the various names descend from different origins. Some of the other names and family names for Luke are:
Similar Baby Names
Suitable Family Names
Apollo
Williams
Lucian
White
Barack
Harris
Aaron
Davis
Ambert
Robinson
Chandler
Brown
Albus
Green
Beacon
Walker
Robert
Moore
Zain
Jones
Names That Sound Like Luke
Many names sound similar to a name. Therefore, some of the names that rhyme with Luke are:
Duke
Jake
Beck
Blake
Clark
Brock
Drake
Elke
Hawke
Lake
Mike
Nike
Rick
Zeke
Sibling Names Related to Luke
Ensuring consistency among the names of your children can aid in maintaining uniformity. Choosing sibling names that go with Luke should be done by evaluating various names and their meanings. This list includes some of the suitable sister and brother names for Luke:
Sister Names for Luke
Brother Names for Luke
Liliana
Jackson
Lisa
Andrew
Amelia
Jude
Rosalin
Ryan
Isabella
Noah
Amanda
Anthony
Grace
Levi
Emma
Raphael
Olivia
Vincent
Mia
Julian
Nicknames for Luke
Nicknames are used in informal settings and are used instead of the proper name. Nicknames often have a touch of humor because close friends or family members give them. Some of the unconventional nicknames for Luke are:
Luk
Luka
Lu
Lee
Keke
Louie
Lulu
Lukie
Lois
Lou
LookeyPookey
Cooky
The name Luke has been gaining remarkable popularity with time. In the last decade, the name has climbed from being in the top 100 to the top 50. It might be because people are becoming more conscious of naming their children by evaluating their meanings. This name has a beautiful meaning and a nice ring to it. Therefore, this name is considered to further rise in the baby name ranks in the US.
Sources/References
Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
Luke Name Popularity in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&geo=US&q=Luke
Luke Name Popularity Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&q=Luke
Luke Name Interest in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&geo=US&q=Luke
Luke Name Interest Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-09-24&q=Luke Read more
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Teach Your Child To Follow Directions Easily
So your little humans refusing to listen to you again? Use these techniques to get your child to follow directions easily – without having to keep her on a leash.
Kids aren't born knowing that they have to do as they are told. It is up to parents to teach them to do so. Here's what you should do, stage by stage:
Newborn to 2 Years Old
Your little one learns a lot about the world and her role in it by the way you interact with her. Set the foundation for cooperative behaviour by responding to your newborn's cries. And when her basic needs are taken care of, encourage her to respond to your actions. For example, if you look into her eyes and make funny faces, try to get her to laugh. As she transitions into a toddler, you will notice that your child will oscillate between being perfectly obedient to a child whose favourite word is no. Get your child to listen by only giving her simple instructions, and praising her whenever she follows them. Your approval will encourage her to behave well.
Three to Four Year Old
Again, your child will behave wonderfully when given simple instructions and loads of appreciation. As her vocabulary grows, increase the complexity of directions accordingly. On the flip side, your child's attention span will decrease, so make sure she is really listening when you are talking to her.
Five to Six Year Old
Now is when your child's attention span will really improve, and so will her vocabulary. She will now be able to understand longer instructions – all you have to do is ensure you are giving them in the proper order. As her cognitive development has not yet finished, jumbling up a series of instructions will only confuse her, and she might end up doing none of them. Again, appreciation will go a long way in helping her to cooperate.
Seven to Nine Years Old
Your child is growing up into a big person now, and her obedience will depend heavily on how well-behaved her friends are, particularly with their parents. It is important that you know the kind of company your child keeps. And if you see a child misbehaving with an adult in a public space, say a shopping mall, explain to her why that child's behaviour is wrong. Simply declaring that the behaviour is wrong will not do much good.
Ten to Twelve Years Old
As your kiddo enters her preteen years, friends will continue to have a huge influence on how obedient she is. Plus, her mood swings will also determine whether or not she wants to do what you are saying. Again, do not declare what your child should or shouldn't do. If you followed the above in her previous years, you are more likely to have a preteen who listens to you. Of course, there will be typical bursts of rebellion. How you deal with them will either make your child rebel more, or just rebel from time to time. As a thumb rule, try to reason with them, and do not mete out extreme punishments.
Although these techniques will definitely help mould your child into an obedient kid, do not have unrealistic expectations. Kids will be kids. There will be instances when they will simply refuse to listen to you, no matter what. At times like these, all you can do is reassure yourself that one day they will have kids of their own! Read more
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Can't Lose Weight In Spite of Following a Diet and Exercising? Here are Some Possible Reasons
Not losing weight despite putting in the hard work or trying hard at the least, sucks. We know that feeling, and we'll let you in on a secret - it takes time, and sometimes a change in your weight loss strategy. Here's what you need to know.
Why You Might Not Lose Weight Even after Trying So Hard?
You may not lose weight for some reasons. But for now, here's what you should know about the whys behind not dropping those pounds-
1. You're Not Staying Hydrated
Water flushes out the toxins and prevents excess fat accumulation in your body. It clears out your stomach, intestines, and leaves you feeling refreshed. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of not drinking enough water according to their body's requirements and fall low on the intake. Drinking enough water also makes sure you don't overload on those calories and stay on track.
2. You're Not Counting Calories
Are you eating a ton of diet foods, snacks, and drinks wondering why the heck you aren't losing weight? Despite the healthy change, here's the dealbreaker - those aren't natural foods. Some of them have hidden calories, added sugar, and artificial additives. All this screeches your weight loss journey to a halt when you start taking a lot of that into your body.
If you have trouble tracking your calories, you can try using portion control containers. Those help you measure your portion sizes without doing that mental number crunching. Not tracking your calories is one of the biggest reasons for not losing weight. Period.
3. You're Eating Junk
If you're tracking your calories but eating junk despite that, that is another reason. Junk foods have sugars, and the oils in processed foods get stored as fats. There's a lot more in junk foods besides oils and fats, but the main lesson here is - you have to start eating clean to see results.
Yes, your body does need calories, but it needs nutrients too to function correctly.
Skip the deep dish pizzas and start by eating more fruits and vegetables. For protein, go for grass-fed lean meats and nut butter. There are a lot of options for healthy eating out in the world, and you don't have to feel deprived when making the switch.
4. You Skip Meals
If you're skipping meals and asking "Why Can I Not Lose Weight Anymore?" - you have your answer.
Skipping meals lowers your metabolism, and you need your metabolism to keep running so that it digests food, burns those calories, and not store away the things you eat as fats. You should be eating 3 meals a day with 2 snacking sessions so that your metabolism runs smooth and you burn fat. Plus, you won't get cravings that way, and you'll feel a lot better.
5. You Skip Sleep
Sleep is for the strong, not the weak. When you skip sleep, you throw your metabolism out of whack. You feel sluggish, tired, groggy, and your motivation to workout or exercise wanes. The result?
You start moving lesser and lesser and become a couch potato who has insomnia. That's not good for your health long-term. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to weight gain, so if you keep doing this a lot, you'll reverse the work you put in.
The solution? Stick to a sleep schedule and make sure to get that 7 to 8 hours of shuteye during the night.
6. Cheat Meals
It's okay to reward yourself with cheat meals once a week or two times a month but if you end up consuming 20k calories and go on a binge session - well, you won't lose weight. That's the brutal truth. You have to keep your calories in check and skip the sugar.
Sugar gets stored as fat and loads up on your thighs, hips, and belly. Next time you go for a cheat meal, make sure you make it a reasonable meal and not a feast.
7. Prescription Drugs
If you take a lot of painkillers or medications related to treating Alzheimer's, mood and memory issues, depression, etc., that could be the reason you're not losing weight. Certain medications sometimes interfere with the body's natural metabolism and lead to water retention, thus causing weight gain. They also induce hunger pangs.
A 2010 publication by the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry revealed that certain drugs like amitriptyline, mirtazapine, and paroxetine lead to weight gain. If you can't stop taking those medications, you can start by lowering the dosages or spreading them out throughout the day. Or ask your doctor or therapist to prescribe you some alternatives.
8. You're Not Exercising Right
If you're exercising and sticking to your diet religiously but still not losing weight - you're probably not exercising right. Focus on strength training and do HIIT two to three times a week. Practice your form and don't rush through the workouts. Lifting weights have been shown to rev up your metabolism too.
You want to make sure you hit those reps correctly and not do a sloppy job because sloppy work translates to poor results, which in this case is minimal weight loss and negligible muscle gain.
And for those of who you are exercising right and still not seeing results - it could be that you're burning fat and gaining muscle. In this case, measure your waist circumference and see how you fit into your old clothes. If the scale is not tipping in your favour, don't worry. You're burning fat alright, but it's going to take some more time to show up.
9. You Have Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a medical condition where the thyroid gland is termed underactive. Your thyroid gland is responsible for your metabolism since it secretes fat-burning hormones. When it becomes underactive, you end up losing very little weight but see yourself piling up the pounds quickly. You can talk to a doctor or nutritionist and see how you can optimise your diet to reverse this or treat this condition.
10. You're Chronically Stressed
Too much stress releases cortisol which boosts your appetite and makes you eat more. It's a fight-or-flight response or a famine-and-feast tactic. You start craving sugary foods and drinks, skip workouts, and stay in bed most of the time. Stress can lead to depression, a lack of zest for life, insomnia, and a lot more.
The easiest way to start reducing stress is by changing your diet, your mindset, and by practising relaxation techniques. You have to train your body to relax and let go instead of training it to get stressed out more and push through. This is also the part where we like to talk about meditation and mindfulness. Mindfulness therapy and meditation are known to be grounding activities and shift you into the present.
They say: change your mindset, change your life. Although we agree, we also think changing your mindset will lead to changing your diet, workouts, and physique. Fitness and weight loss are mostly mental, and yes, you do have to put in the effort to reap the benefits.
However, sometimes people make mistakes or do things the wrong way. And that's precisely why we've outlined the above things on what not to do. Don't go to extremes. Eat healthily, learn to relax, and be consistent in your daily routine. And before you know it, you'll notice those pounds dropping steadily.
Also Read:
How to Lose Weight Without Diet or Exercise
Best Fat Burning Foods for a Weight Loss
Ways for Effective Weight Loss Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
Can we have sex during pregnancy and is it safe?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. okay no problem if you don't have any risk factors ko. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
3 hours ago
Q. Dr meri baby 12 month running hai uska weight 6 kg hai uska growth nahi ho pa Raha hai to kya kare or over active hai
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. ok see c. if the baby is not having proper height and weight it means that baby is having failure to thrive baby needs investigations like TSH and other related test to find out the reason
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. mere twins baby hai boy nd girl one month 8 days when I check eye and ear which month
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. For the query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Online consultation can also be taken jjand the expert will give you the proper answer .
Ankita Mehta has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. is white discharge in 8th month normal?
Ankita Mehta
Mom of a 8 yr 7 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. hi
yes
but if it is too thick or clear like water,if there other symptoms like itching, irritation, redness,foul smell from vagina, please visit your gynecologist
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. My son is 5 months old is suffering from cough..what to do?
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
27 mins ago
A. give nasal saline drops every few hourly to the child in the nasal cavity.
try to prevent temperature variations around the child
you can go for indirect steam inhalation which will again help in decreasing both cough and cold
continue the regular diet of the child
if there is no improvement in few days then meet your doctoru
for fever and pain give paracetamol.u
anti-cold medicines at this age have got side effects so can be given only after medical consultation.
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
1 hour ago
Q. hi. in Feb my period was last and I did pregnancy test in March its positive results but my belly is not being bigger
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
55 mins ago
A. Typically, your bump becomes noticeable during your second trimester. Between 16-20 weeks, your body will start showing your baby's growth. For some women, their bump may not be noticeable until the end of the second trimester and even into the third trimester. The second trimester starts in the fourth month.
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