Losing weight is not the easiest thing in the world. That much is clear. So why make it even more difficult by picking up weight loss habits that are actually damaging for your health. These habits do nothing for your weight loss efforts. In fact, they only make it that much more difficult to achieve your goals.
Many of us aren’t even aware that we have picked up these habits.
They seem like ‘good’ ideas at the time but in the long run they only hinder our progress.
So what are these bad habits?
We will list them all one by one;
Bad Weight Loss Habit 1 – Wrong Technique
Some people start exercising on their own without asking for advice.
They continue without guidance, even if the technique for the exercise is wrong.
Their passion for weight loss keeps them going but they should be paying attention to how they are going about it.
An incorrect form, when exercising, is bad for joints and muscles. Not to mention the fact that it is highly ineffective.
If you have just started your workout regimen, then you should seek guidance from an instructor or read or watch instructions about the exercises you are performing.
Continuing the bad form will make it difficult for you to quit the habit later.
Bad Weight Loss Habit 2 – Empty Stomach Workouts
Do you think skipping a meal helps you when you are trying to lose weight?
If you think that, then you are absolutely Wrong!
Experts in physical health and fitness recommend that everyone, who exercises or works out, fuel their body before they begin.
Your body requires glucose when you exercise, to keep you active.
When you are exercising on an empty stomach, that glucose is taken from your muscles. You will be burning muscles instead of building it.
Your blood sugar, which is already down when you haven’t eaten anything, will hit rock bottom and you are bound to experience spells of dizziness.
So eat something healthy at least 30 minutes before the workout.
A banana, some yogurt or a bowl of oatmeal makes a perfect pre-workout meal.
Bad Weight Loss Habit 3 – The Cardio Bug
Cardio is effective for burning calories and fat.
But some people can overdo it and end up compromising their muscle strength.
So unless you are training for a boxing match or a marathon, ease up on the cardio.
Everyone on a weight loss diet is already low on calories. Overdoing the cardio can take a toll on the muscles and bones.
A good amount of cardio would be 30-45 mins a day. The rest of the time can be filled with strength training or high intensity interval training.
You also have to be careful about your nutrition. Count calories carefully to ensure that you are still getting enough of them to function normally and workout without harming your health.
Bad Weight Loss Habit 4 – Eating Wrong
As mentioned above, you can’t starve yourself in order to lose weight.
Obviously, you can’t eat whatever you want either.
So what are you supposed to eat?
Anything and everything that falls into the healthy eating category.
Without nutrition, and still putting in the work in the gym or at your house, your body will turn on itself and start breaking down elements that should be strengthened.
Eat right. You meal should contain the necessary carbs, proteins, and good fats (omega 3-fatty acids).
Bad Weight Loss Habit 5 – Sleep not a Priority
Muscles need to recover after the day’s work and sleep is the best way to help them recover.
Sleep is also important in dealing with levels of stress and keeping the balance between hormones to burn fat faster.
If you keep to the same unhealthy sleep schedule, your muscles will never recover properly.
You will feel the soreness and it will remain for longer.
Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night to make sure that you get all the benefits.
Bad Weight Loss Habit 6 – Not enough Protein
Everyone knows how important protein is. Anyone who has ever worked out knows that nothing helps muscles recover faster than protein.
Meals that are high in protein content also help you with portion content and they can also aid metabolism of fat in your body.
Your body also needs to burn a lot of calories trying to digest proteins.
Start by adding protein to every meal of the day. Read our blog about high protein meals to see how you can have more protein throughout the day.
Get rid of these 6 habits as soon as possible!
Don’t fall into these when you are trying to lose weight. If you have fallen into them, then don’t worry…
Work hard and take the information above to heart and you will succeed in no time at all.
