Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. As spring arrives, more people start planning to lose weight in preparation for lighter clothing and summer weather. But losing — and maintaining — weight isn’t easy. Because it’s difficult, people are often tempted by shortcut methods. However, if you want to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, it’s important to avoid these pitfalls. Based on guidance from the Cleveland Clinic, here are some common dieting mistakes to avoid: Skipping meals If simply cutting calories led to weight loss, skipping meals would be highly effective — but it’s not. Food is fuel for the body. Skipping meals deprives your body of essential nutrients and slows your metabolism, causing you to burn fewer calories. While intermittent fasting can help some people manage weight, it may also lower your basic metabolic rate, making it easier to regain weight later. Extreme low-calorie diets (under 1,000 calories per day) can additionally result in nutrient deficiencies. Unrealistic goals “I’ll lose 5 kg in one week.” This sounds ambitious, but it’s not re