When you do something so often that your brain makes it automatic, we say that it's a habit. Let's take going to the gym as an example. You see your workout clothes, and they inspire you to exercise. When you're done with it, your brain sends some endorphins out, so you feel happy, and you want to do it again. It's simple and effective, no doubt about it. However, if you're giving it all you've got and still not losing weight, it's only natural that you want to get to the bottom of it. We're here to help you do that, so here are 6 bad habits that might be preventing your weight loss.
1. Focusing On Training More Than On Food
Most of the time, when people realize they want to lose weight, they hit the gym. And this is great for your health, but if you wish to lose weight, this might not be the best option for you. Calorie trackers aren't as accurate as you may think, so it's easy to overestimate how many calories you've burned. And if you eat them back, you won't get anywhere.
Don't get us wrong - exercise can do a lot for you. However, during the day, you burn the most calories just resting. Your body uses a lot of energy to keep your heart pumping and lungs breathing, and you should take advantage of that. So, building muscles can help you lose weight, but only if you combine it with changes in your diet.
2. Eating Too Little
The science of weight loss is complicated, and if you try to simplify it too much with things like "calories in, calories out" thinking, it might backfire. Here's the deal. Most people that don't eat during the day are overeating at night. On top of that, if you keep your body without calories for a long time, it will slow down your metabolism. Without fuel to do essential functions, your body will focus on conserving the energy it has, not burning it.
Of course, you want to create an energy deficit if you want to lose weight, but the types of food you eat to get the calories you need play the most significant role here. Not all calories are the same, and your body will react differently to them. Depending on which type you eat, your body will choose to store fat, burn it, or promote good health.
When you're trying to lose weight, you want to keep it in fat-burning mode, and to do that, eat protein, fiber, and healthy fats. The best place to get these is plants. Also, reduce refined sugars and carbohydrates as much as you can.
3. Counting Calories
If you start counting calories, you'll be playing games with yourself to get the numbers right. Anyone who did it will tell you this is how it always ends. You'll lose sight of your hunger, and you'll never know if you're full or not. That won't bring you any benefits, and that's why fitness experts from Fitness Trainer Dubai say to quit counting calories altogether.
Instead, you want to focus on evaluating your food. Look beyond calories and try to eat only quality and healthy foods. Work your way to smaller portions, and you'll be amazed by the results. Not only you'll lose weight, but you'll also experience less stress, and you'll feel much more relaxed.
4. Sacrificing Sleep For Exercise
Dragging yourself to the gym every morning is one of the biggest habits that might be preventing your weight loss. A good night's sleep is crucial for healthy weight loss, and if you sacrifice it for exercise, it will bring you a lot more harm than good.
Your body will quickly get into a state of inflammation, and you'll be hungry all the time. So, if you know you're going to bed late, don't even think about getting up early in the morning for a workout. It's a much better idea to squeeze one in later in the day, even if it's short.
And this isn't anything new. Countless studies explained why sleep is important to your exercise routine and weight loss. If you don't get enough of it, it will influence your decision-making, as well. So, fries will sound like a better idea than a salad, and that's the last thing you want.
5. Snacking Without Thinking About It
Eating just twelve chips will put an additional 130 calories into your body. However, if you're sitting in front of the TV and eating them without thinking about it, all the chances are that you'll consume fifty of them. We don't need to explain how and why this is so bad for your weight loss.
So, keep your mind on what you eat to reduce calories without feeling you're missing out on something. Pause and think about why you're eating. Maybe you're not physically hungry, and you're only eating because you're:
● Bored
● Stressed
● Craving for something specific
When you know the reason, it's easy to find the food to fill the void. If you're hungry, eat some protein, and if you want some chocolate, a square of dark one should do the trick.
6. Drinking Your Calories
There's no shame in loving a good latte and a nice glass of red wine before bed. However, many of these drinks have plenty of calories hidden under all that pleasant smell and taste. For example, a grande mocha from Starbucks will add 290 calories and 35 grams of sugar to your day.
On the other hand, you don't have to give up drinks altogether to see the scale move. Ask for half the sugar in your coffee, and reduce the number of nights you drink in the week. These small changes are what make losing weight so easy. You don't have to change your life radically to make it work.
6 habits that might be preventing your weight loss...
As you can see, weight loss is more than exercise and diet, and there are many things you should keep an eye on. It's a mental game that you play with yourself, and it can be tricky to win it.
With that being said, being aware of the habits that might be preventing your weight loss is like an ace in your sleeve. You'll be able to cut them early on, and from there on, it'll be all progress.