Last time we had tackled the excuses, today we tackle the misconceptions or misinformation. I have time and again received questions here, from my readers, about how their efforts do not translate into weight loss. Below the the ten reasons I can think of why that might be happening:
1. All cardio, no strength
Women often spend, 80% of their workout time on a cardio machine (treadmill, elliptical, etc.) and give a meagre 20% to weight/strength training. Switch that and you will see quick result. Weights do not make you bulky or muscular. Instead not only does it prevent injury by strengthening the joints, but it also builds muscle mass and increases metabolic rate.
2. No accountability
You overestimate your calorie burn and/or your calorie in take. You assume that because you are opting for healthier food options and working-out it is a reason enough to over indulge. Write things down or even better download an app (my favorite: myfitnesspal) and feed your daily activity and food and track your progress daily.
3. No Food Planning
To keep a lid on how much you eat, plan each day's food consumption. Know when you'll eat, and how much. Don't snack not on cookies and candy, instead on high in protein, natural foods such as nuts, raisins, quinoa - because they help keep you feeling full for a long time.
4. Same old routine
You do not switch your workouts and rely on the same routine day-in-day-out. Newsflash: Your body has got accustomed to your workout and is not challenging it enough to make a difference. It is good to mix things up and try and do different activity everyday. Or at least every week. Aerobics, dance, yoga, spinning, body pump, etc. to your workout routine to maximize your results.
5. Lack of sleep
Research shows that people who stay up late tend to eat more high-fat and high-calories foods than those who tuck in earlier. Seven hours of sleep is necessary for anyone. Learn why, here.
6. Inconsistency
If you don't workout regularly, you do not see results. Consistency is the key! There is no way around hard work. Every body works differently. Personally, I see results 2-3 weeks later. For example, if I am regular with my workout and clean eating throughout this week, I will see result three weeks later, aka first week of April. And if I fall of the bandwagon before that I will never see results. You do the maths.
7. Excessive Snacking
Bad news: exercise makes you want to eat more—but of course, you shouldn't! Most of us grossly overestimate the number of calories we burn during out workout. The good news: high-intensity workouts help contain your appetite. Hence, pick up the pace and decrease food cravings. #2 & #3 will also come in handy to solve this problem!
8. Sedentary Lifestyle
Just working out might not be enough, if your remaining of the day is stationary or is spent on a chair. Try and take a walking break. Experts recommend setting a timer on the computer to remind you to move every hour. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park far away from the mall, etc. etc.
9. Poor Digestion
You are not what you eat; you are what you digest and absorb! Our gut health will determine our overall wellbeing. The bacteria that lies in our gut helps us to fight disease, process our food, make nutrients and make hormones etc. Also, if you're feeling low, tired, and moody and your diet contains alcohol, coffee and sugar, you need to give your body a break. When your liver is sluggish, it struggles to process substances/toxins/hormones efficiently and this leads to toxic build up and this will inevitably cause weight gain.
10. Don't Drink Water
Last but not the least, we've all heard how important H2O is when it comes to shedding pounds. It helps to suppress appetite, so you're less likely to overeat. But that's not all: When you're dehydrated, your kidneys can't function properly, so the body turns to the liver for additional support. Because the liver is working so hard, more of the fat you consume is stored rather than burned off.
If you don't workout regularly, you do not see results. Consistency is the key! There is no way around hard work. Every body works differently. Personally, I see results 2-3 weeks later. For example, if I am regular with my workout and clean eating throughout this week, I will see result three weeks later, aka first week of April. And if I fall of the bandwagon before that I will never see results. You do the maths.
7. Excessive Snacking
Bad news: exercise makes you want to eat more—but of course, you shouldn't! Most of us grossly overestimate the number of calories we burn during out workout. The good news: high-intensity workouts help contain your appetite. Hence, pick up the pace and decrease food cravings. #2 & #3 will also come in handy to solve this problem!
8. Sedentary Lifestyle
Just working out might not be enough, if your remaining of the day is stationary or is spent on a chair. Try and take a walking break. Experts recommend setting a timer on the computer to remind you to move every hour. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park far away from the mall, etc. etc.
9. Poor Digestion
You are not what you eat; you are what you digest and absorb! Our gut health will determine our overall wellbeing. The bacteria that lies in our gut helps us to fight disease, process our food, make nutrients and make hormones etc. Also, if you're feeling low, tired, and moody and your diet contains alcohol, coffee and sugar, you need to give your body a break. When your liver is sluggish, it struggles to process substances/toxins/hormones efficiently and this leads to toxic build up and this will inevitably cause weight gain.
10. Don't Drink Water
Last but not the least, we've all heard how important H2O is when it comes to shedding pounds. It helps to suppress appetite, so you're less likely to overeat. But that's not all: When you're dehydrated, your kidneys can't function properly, so the body turns to the liver for additional support. Because the liver is working so hard, more of the fat you consume is stored rather than burned off.
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I couldn't agree with you more about the accountability. I use MyFitnessPal to keep track of everything.
ReplyDeleteThese are all so true - lack of sleep is such a killer for me!
ReplyDeleteYes to all of this! I was doing so many of these things especially the no food prep and packing in the cardio. I hired a health coach last month and it's made a tremendous difference!
ReplyDeleteThis list is very interesting! No wonder why I know a lot of people who regularly work out but always complain they aren't losing weight.
ReplyDeleteBelle | www.OneAwesomeMomma.com
A lot of people forget how much water and sleep can impact our lives! Sleep and water have always been an issue for me.. I can never seem to get enough sleep or water!
ReplyDeleteI agree. These are all true. You have to make sure you drink water and watch the things your eat before you can actually lose weight.
ReplyDeleteLet's see - no accountability, no food planning - sounds like my reasons
ReplyDeleteWhenever my weight starts to creep up, guaranteed, it's because I haven't been getting enough sleep. One of my favorite foods to help are pumpkin seeds. They’re rich in magnesium which helps to induce a deeper sleep by relaxing the muscles in the body. x
ReplyDeleteThis is great timing to read this. This is because I am looking to get healthier myself. I need this all around! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteConsistency is definitely key! I've learned this when I first started working out and eating healthy. Great Tips!
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't keep track of what I eat, I snack excessively and I don't exercise... I'm still very skinny but I know that doesn't mean healthy, I know I need to change my lifestyle if I want to be at my best.
ReplyDeleteAll excellent points for those on a weight loss regimen. Also, I would add that we need to set realistic expectations and not give up when the scale disappoints. We are not the sum total of our weight.
ReplyDeleteThey all contain naturally occurring fruit sugar, fructose, which like all other sugars if consumed in excess will result in weight gain. Weight loss
ReplyDeleteNow all of this makes soo much sense.
ReplyDelete