January 13, 2016
Nutritionists Reveal The Biggest Weight Loss Mistakes You May Be Making
Losing weight can feel like a never ending battle. No matter how hard you try, that "magic number" stays just out of reach. But don't fret, the answer may be something incredibly simple. Nutritionists, Stephanie Clarke, RD, Willow Jarosh, RD, and Mitzi Dulan, RD, reveal the biggest mistakes you may be making when it comes to your efforts to trim down.
These mistakes are common but the solutions are not nearly as difficult as you might imagine! A few small changes in your habits and you'll notice a big difference!
1. You're not planning ahead
When hunger hits, you want to be ready. If you are not prepared in advanced, you are far more likely to make unhealthy choices, according to Clarke. Sit down and plan your snacks and meals for the next week. Then, take a trip to the grocery store and stock up on everything you'll need. Go home and prep everything you can. Make sure you have plenty of containers to store your food. Take as much of the guess work out of it as you can. It sounds like a lot of work but it will actually save you time and calories! For help with planning your meals, check out the BodyRock Meal Plan!2. You're keeping it to yourself
If you ever find yourself feeling like you've been sabotaged by your friends and family, consider whether or not you have told them about your goals. Instead of cutting them from your life or getting upset about it, fill them in. Instead of going for brunch, your friends will probably be all too happy to meet you for a hike or a nice walk through the park!3. You're eating too much (or not enough) protein
While carb-free, protein-packed diets get results, they are not sustainable long term, says Jarosh. You will be missing out on many vital nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts and seeds. As Jarosh explains, this variety in your food "helps keep your gut bacteria happy, your digestive system regular, and keeps you feeling satisfied." There is, however, a delicate balance here. Not eating enough protein can also lead to weight gain. "Since protein helps you to stay satisfied, it is important to make sure you are eating it at every meal," says Dulan.4. You're compensating for eating with exercise
Going for a long run or hitting the gym does not give you a free pass to eat whatever you want. This attitude promotes an unhealthy relationship with food and can lead weight to weight gain. While you might think it burns more, a 30-minute run only burns about 250 calories. Do you really want to kill all of that effort on a poor food choice? Workouts should compliment your diet, not make up for it.