Common Mistakes People Make Trying To Lose Weight
Mindless eating
You’d be surprised how many biscuits just sneak into your mouth throughout the day. If you work in an office with a tea culture you have to be very aware of what you’re eating without thinking.
Weighing yourself
As tempting as it is to keep track of every gram you lose, the tragedy of seeing the scale go the other way can be enough to undo all of your hard work. Be sure to weigh yourself at the same time and only once a week.
Cutting out too much
While you can’t lose weight without addressing your diet, if you try and cut out all treats it won’t be long before you crack and find yourself devouring a tub of ice cream.
‘Rewarding’ yourself too much
Sound familiar? Try and make healthy eating and exercise a part of your routine rather than a daily equation.
Comparing yourself
People are all different: our metabolic rates, how we process fat, how we develop muscle… all different. Some things don’t need to be shared – no one likes a show off!
Overestimating
Many people believe that exercise supercharges their metabolism. Although exercise increases metabolic rate somewhat, it may actually be less than you think. Studies show both normal and overweight people tend to overestimate the number of calories they burn during exercise, often by a significant amount. That being said, exercise is still crucial for overall health. It’s just not as effective at burning calories as some people think.
Not keeping track
Eating nutritious foods is a good weight loss strategy. However, you may still be eating more calories than you need to lose weight. What’s more, you may not be getting the right amount of protein, fiber, carbs and fat to support your weight loss efforts. Studies show that tracking what you eat can help you get an accurate picture of your calorie and nutrient consumption, as well as provide accountability.
Still Drinking Sugar
Many people cut soft drinks and other sweetened beverages out of their diet to lose weight, which is a good thing. However, drinking fruit juice instead isn’t smart. Even 100% fruit juice is loaded with sugar and may lead to health and weight problems similar to those caused by sugar-sweetened beverages.
For instance, 320 grams of unsweetened apple juice contains 36 grams of sugar. What’s more, liquid calories don’t seem to affect the appetite centers in your brain the same way calories from solid foods do.
