Photo by: Hannah Mae Photography
Weight loss is as simple as calories expended exceeds the amount of calories consumed. With that said, it's a bit easier said than done. There are so many other factors that come into play when reaching a weight loss goal. Disregarding several variables, here are a few common mistakes made when trying to lose weight.
1. Protein OD. Protein is definitely a necessity in your diet, but eating too much protein can cause the excess to store as fat. Many people consume protein supplements to increase their intake, but sometimes they truly don't need it. Try to get your protein sources from whole foods before reaching for supplements. By incorporating just a little more protein in each of your meals, you should be able to reach your goals without supplementing with a multiple daily protein shakes.
2. Drinking your calories. "Juicing" may have been the fad in 2016, but as I'm sure you've heard, it's not your best option. Whole foods high in both macronutrients and micronutrients will benefit you and your goals more than drinking through a straw.
3. Thinking exercise permits poor eating habits. As I've said in previous blogs, you cannot outwork a poor diet. Nutrition and fitness go hand-in-hand. You will received the best results when both your foods and exercises complement each other.
4. Neglecting the weights. Strength training boosts your metabolism more than spending hours on the treadmill. Don't be afraid to pick up some dumbbells and get to work. If you're unsure on form or how to complete an exercise, ask a gym bud for some quick guidance, or heck, ask me! :)
5. Drastically cutting carbs. Carbohydrates give you energy. You NEED them to survive. You'll hear about how so-and-so cut out carbs and lost X amount of pounds in 2 weeks. Well, that's because carbs encourage water retention, which is NOT a bad thing. So, next time you hear your friend say how they lost soOoOo much weight by cutting carbs, know that it was all water weight. Meaning, once they begin to eat like a normal, healthy human being again, that water weight will come right back. *Be careful of fad diets, please.
6. Paying too much attention to the scale. Unless you are preparing for a wrestling meet, MMA fight, or similar, you should not weigh yourself everyday. Why? Because your weight fluctuates several times daily. Depending on your stress level, water retention, foods you ate, and hormones, you could easily fluctuate by 5 pounds throughout the day. If you're on a weight loss journey, I'd suggest weighing yourself ONCE a week, on the same day each week with an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
XOXO
- Katharine