6 Habits That May Be Preventing You From Healthy Weight Loss

Kick-starting you’re weight-loss journey can be tricky.

If your’e dieting, exercising and not losing weight, then perhaps one of these common weight-loss habits are holding you back.

Completely Cutting Out Carbohydrates

A common misconception is that cutting carbohydrates from your diet will guarantee results. Carbs are a vital source of energy and vital if you are planning on exercising consistently throughout the week.

However, just because low-carb diets are useful for weight loss and people with certain metabolic problems, they are not the answer for everyone. Our best foods for healthy weight-loss are outlined here.

Swapping foods such as white bread and white rice for brown alternatives are great steps towards keeping good carbohydrates within your diet.

Brown bread is made from whole wheat and has higher nutritional values. It has high fibre content and fewer calories when compared to white bread.

Eating less processed and refined carbohydrates will leave you feeling much better and avoid you feeling the post-carb slop.

Skipping Meals

A simple habit that’s created when trying to lose weight is skipping one of your meals throughout the day. It might seem like a great shortcut at first but missing that meal also means that you have missed out on crucial sources of energy.

Skipping meals is also always followed by overeating or indulgence. As we feel we can make up for those missed calories with unhealthy alternatives.

It can also slow down your metabolism whilst trying to preserve limited energy. Instead, try to eat sensible sized portions and allow yourself 1-2 treats a week to help you stay on track with your diet.

Mindless Eating

Snacking when you’re not hungry can become a common habit whilst trying to lose weight. Whether it’s a few cheese and crackers before dinner, finishing off your child’s meal or a few nibbles at the bar.

These calories add up and can put you over your daily intake with a few mindless mouthfuls. For the best results, it’s important to eat only when you’re hungry.

Having Unrealistic Expectations

Having realistic goals for your health and weight-loss is paramount. Hearing about someone’s crazy weight loss can leave you feeling like you’re going nowhere. Just as reading about crazy results online can force you to set unrealistic goals.

It won’t be long before unrealistic goals have you feeling discouraged as you aren’t seeing the results immediately. Make sure you are creating achievable expectations by setting realistic goals.

Weighing Yourself Too Often

This builds upon our last point of having unrealistic expectations. Expecting to immediately drop those kilos can lead to confusion, frustration and demotivation.

It’s important to remember that healthy weight loss comes gradually over-time. Natural weight fluctuations can include variables such as water intake, menstrual cycle or even muscle gain during strength training.

Set goals for yourself monthly, not weekly as the constant checking may discourage you.

Relying on One Form of Exercise

Finding balance between your nutrition and exercise is essential for a balanced lifestyle. Using different forms of exercise and incorporating fun outdoor activities can stop you from becoming bored with your workouts.

The key to staying motivated is mixing up it up every now and then and incorporating a variety of different movements.

You could try Rada’s upper body session here, or Nathan’s lower body workout here to swap up your routine and target different areas of the body. Alternatively you could give Jane’s Detox Flow Yoga a go to feel rejuvenated and refreshed.

Hoping off the treadmill and going for a walk in the park, bike ride, hike or even some yoga can refresh the mind and get your energy levels back up.

We’ve got everything you need to stay active so login and book your active training, yoga class and meditation either in the park or online now.

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Live Life Get Active is a registered health promotion charity that offers FREE outdoor activity camps and wellbeing and nutritional programmes to help address obesity, diabetes and mental health. Our vision is to build fitter, healthier and happier communities right across Australia. Our in-park offering is supported by a comprehensive digital offering.