The Top 5 Reasons People Give Up on Losing Weight  

This article was written by Jenny Sugar and repurposed with permission from POPSUGAR Fitness.

Whether it's the freshman 15, breakup weight, baby weight, or can't-stay-away-from-dessert weight, losing those extra pounds is not nearly as easy as putting them on. Whether you have five or 105 pounds to lose, here are the top reasons most people abandon their weight-loss goals—and what you can do to prevent that from happening to you.

It's Taking Too Long
Just as those pounds seemed to slowly creep on, it also takes time to progressively shake them off. Coming to terms with that will make it easier to stick with your plan. Know that to safely lose weight and keep it off, you'll only drop one to two pounds a week, so do the math to get an idea of how much time it'll be before you're near your goal weight. Then, find ways to celebrate your smaller goals to help keep you on track.

Related: 100 Simple Ways to Lose Weight

You're Hungry All the Time
Weight loss comes down to simple math: Calories in cannot exceed the amount of calories out. If you choose high-calorie foods, you'll only be able to have a few bites, which will leave your belly empty and unsatisfied. Eat smarter by choosing low-calorie foods like vegetables, high-fiber foods like whole grains, and foods with high water content like fruit. These foods will keep you feeling full longer, which prevents hunger pangs.

Related: Why a Little Hunger Is Okay When Dieting

You Miss Your Favorite Foods
French fries, pizza, burgers, chocolate cake, ice cream—it's hard not to spend every minute thinking about the foods you shouldn't eat. Plain and simple: Diets aren't sustainable. You can't keep up an eating plan that is too restrictive. Of course, you won't lose weight on a diet of donuts alone, so eat healthy most of the time and allow yourself a little splurging to prevent feeling deprived. You can also find healthier ways to enjoy the foods you crave, like this pizza quinoa polenta instead of a regular slice from the pizzeria, or this three-ingredient chocolate ice cream that's completely dairy-free.

Check out two more reasons why people give up on losing weight and how to over come them on POPSUGAR Fitness.

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