You may have made your New Year’s resolution to get your body into tip top shape, but before you know it, time has had the beter end of you and you just can’t hit the gym...
Recent studies show that when people were asked about their diet and exercise routines, most would say they are just doing just what the doctor ordered – healthy eating habits combined with vigorous exercise. However, the results certainly did not measure up between what the partakers said and what the scale had to say.
Alot of the people did not know what their calorie consumption was and the study actually found that with overweight and obese people they were underestimating their calorie intake by as many as 400 calories a day.
You may have a friend that has had excellent results by following a certain diet and exercise program, and maybe she tried giving you a couple of pointers, only for you to soon realise that her tips are simply not working for you.
Here are 5 common mistakes when exercising and dieting:
1. Eating too many healthy foods
Healthy eating is not the same as weight-loss eating. There are many healthy foods you can eat and that also promotes weight loss, but not if you overdo it.
2. If it's not a plate, it doesn't count
Many of us get the occasional to regular munchies. It is most certainly not recommended you do this when trying to lose weight. Keep yourself restricted by a couple of rules: Only eat at specific times, chew some gum while making meals or doing chores and rather have a bowl of vegetables to nibble on when that craving comes.
3. Skipping meals to cut calories
I once heard a saying: “Eat like a rich man during breakfast, a middleclass man during lunch and like a poor man during dinner.” It is extremely important that you do not skip any meals, especially breakfast, as studies show that people who tend to skip breakfast tend to eat more toward the end of the day and into the night.
4. Taking the weekends off
You will sometimes come across the occasional health fanatic that says you should allow yourself to one cheat meal per week... or even two may not hurt. WRONG!!! Rather include your favourite meals into your eating plan than completely shutting them out and leave them for a cheat day or meal. This leads to guilt and may cause you to lose focus completely to get fit and healthy.
5. Liquid calories go in and out
± 20% of our calorie consumption a day comes from what we drink. Recent research suggests these calories do little to satisfy hunger. Rather stick to no- or low calorie drinks as a 500 calorie cup of coffee just isn’t worth the amount of food it replaces.
Recent studies show that when people were asked about their diet and exercise routines, most would say they are just doing just what the doctor ordered – healthy eating habits combined with vigorous exercise. However, the results certainly did not measure up between what the partakers said and what the scale had to say.
Alot of the people did not know what their calorie consumption was and the study actually found that with overweight and obese people they were underestimating their calorie intake by as many as 400 calories a day.
You may have a friend that has had excellent results by following a certain diet and exercise program, and maybe she tried giving you a couple of pointers, only for you to soon realise that her tips are simply not working for you.
Here are 5 common mistakes when exercising and dieting:
1. Eating too many healthy foods
Healthy eating is not the same as weight-loss eating. There are many healthy foods you can eat and that also promotes weight loss, but not if you overdo it.
2. If it's not a plate, it doesn't count
Many of us get the occasional to regular munchies. It is most certainly not recommended you do this when trying to lose weight. Keep yourself restricted by a couple of rules: Only eat at specific times, chew some gum while making meals or doing chores and rather have a bowl of vegetables to nibble on when that craving comes.
3. Skipping meals to cut calories
I once heard a saying: “Eat like a rich man during breakfast, a middleclass man during lunch and like a poor man during dinner.” It is extremely important that you do not skip any meals, especially breakfast, as studies show that people who tend to skip breakfast tend to eat more toward the end of the day and into the night.
4. Taking the weekends off
You will sometimes come across the occasional health fanatic that says you should allow yourself to one cheat meal per week... or even two may not hurt. WRONG!!! Rather include your favourite meals into your eating plan than completely shutting them out and leave them for a cheat day or meal. This leads to guilt and may cause you to lose focus completely to get fit and healthy.
5. Liquid calories go in and out
± 20% of our calorie consumption a day comes from what we drink. Recent research suggests these calories do little to satisfy hunger. Rather stick to no- or low calorie drinks as a 500 calorie cup of coffee just isn’t worth the amount of food it replaces.