Are you eating less, but not losing weight? Trying to slim down and feeling frustrated?
What could be more painful than giving it your all and still achieve nothing? While you might think you are doing all you can in your power to attain your fitness goals, chances are you might be sabotaging yourself unknowingly. Nevertheless, if you are reading this article, then be assured that you will find some dieting don’ts and do’s to help save your weight-loss efforts and optimize them.
You eat fake foods
Ever wondered why you never feel satisfied after eating? While prepackaged weight-loss products like shakes and bars are convenient, truth is they will not be helping you to lose weight in the long run. There are lots of healthier, more filling options with the same or fewer calories you can take a pick from – like a cheese stick or a serving of plain nonfat Greek yogurt with fresh strawberries.
You burn the midnight oil
It’s true that you need to log time at the gym, but in order to lose weight efficiently, you must also learn to make time for bed. According to studies, skimping on sleep, especially sleeping less than five or six hours a night, can slow your metabolism and cause hormonal changes that hurt your weight-loss efforts.
Not to mention being tired may also make you eat more!
You exercise too much
Sure you can’t do without exercise, but too much of it can backfire. Experts have suggested that about 80% of dieting time and energy should be focused on nutrition and 20% on exercise.
You always choose the salad
While many people believe that heading for the salad bar is some of the best ways to lose weight by reducing cravings, experts have revealed that salads may not contain enough carbohydrates to help control hunger hormones. Instead a healthy soup and sandwich, or tossing a serving of brown rice, lentils, or garbanzo beans into your greens might be a much better option.
You eat too early
While popular belief has is that it’s not good to eat in the evenings, but that may not make sense unless you turn in extra early. Some experts have proven that people who eat at 6:00 and stay up until 11:00 or midnight, allows for their bodies to naturally ask for food again. That is why you must aim to eat 70% of your calories before dinner and 30% at dinner, but it doesn’t matter how late dinner is. Healthy eating in the evening can prevent a late-night eating of ice cream or cookies.
Image courtesy of: beautyheaven.com.au, rockwellnutrition.com.
