Aimzster
Dianna G10 Common Diet Mistakes
July 22nd 2008 03:35
Last weekend, I had to prevent myself from banging my head against the wall as my 2 sisters practically bulldozed me down in an Asian supermarket to get their hands on that lethal diet drink which I’ve dubbed ‘the poo tea’. No matter how much I lectured them on the benefits of physical activity, the need for lifestyle change as well as the serious health repercussions of obsessively drinking the poo tea, they refused to listen. Then after talking to friends and other work colleagues, I realised my sisters aren’t the only ones who are only too eager to apply the quickest and easiest methods for supposedly losing weight only to wail why they still don’t have the body of Angelina Jolie after all that ‘sacrifice’.
I came across this article from www.sheknows.com which highlights 10 common mistakes people make when attempting to lose weight. I’d been there before (attempting to lose weight through other means besides the most logical) so I definitely agree with these. So, if you’re wondering why you’re still not losing as much weight as you would like, despite your hard work, read on –
1. CRASH DIET
Crash dieting would have to be the most popular weight loss ‘program’ many people undertake and one that has proven to be the most ineffective in the long run. Sheknows.com highlights two problems with crash dieting. You may lose weight BUT a lot of that is muscle tissue. So you may fit into an outfit a size smaller than you would previously wear but you’ll find you still have flabby arms, tummy and thighs. The other problem is, because you’re losing a lot of your muscle tissue, your metabolism slows down. ‘Muscle is your body’s metabolism – when you lose it, you reduce your metabolic capacity’.
I remember when I went through 3 months of drinking the poo tea. While the kilos dropped and I traipsed around in size 8 dresses, I couldn’t prevent my brother from teasing me about my ‘turkey’ arms and I had to continually suck in my tummy when wearing a bikini.
2. FOCUSING ON THE SCALE
Many people complain when, after doing a week of hour-long workouts at the gym, they find the scales haven’t budged a bit. Rather than focusing on scales and using that as confirmation that you are losing weight, opt for a tape measure instead. You may not notice any difference on the scales because if you are exercising properly, you should be building muscle (which weighs more than fat) and losing fat at the same time. But you should notice a difference when you look in the mirror, people make a comment and, best of all, when you suddenly find you can fit into a pair of pants that you hadn’t worn in ten years.
3. FOCUSING ON CARDIO
Many people opt to do only cardio workouts when trying to lose weight because cardio workouts burn more calories in the duration of the workout than, say, resistance training. But what they don’t realise is that the key to getting a more toned body is to increase the metabolism. You should go for activities that not only burn calories during the workout but also burn calories for hours and days afterwards, such as resistance and/or interval training. In short, don’t focus on just cardio-only workouts but aim to combine it with some weight training to build up muscle.
4. SKIPPING BREAKFAST
Skipping meals is something many people do – especially when they feel they ate like a pig the night before. But there is a reason why breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should never be missed. When you wake up, your body craves for nutrients as it’s been fasting for six hours or so. When you skip breakfast, your body starts breaking down muscle for energy – again, you have to remember that your muscle is your metabolism. Eat a healthy, well-balanced breakfast and you’ll find you’re less likely to overeat later on.
5. RELYING ON PILLS
I scoff everytime I see ads on TV with a distinguished spokesperson, an MD of some sort or other, talking about the benefits of their particular diet pills. Please! I have never met anyone who has ever lost weight through diet pills. Just as bad as crash diets.
6. EATING TOO LITTLE
Eating too little throughout the day will result in you overeating during dinner where there is little opportunity to burn off the calories as you’re more likely to just sit in front of the TV and relax. You may have heard this too often before but you really should try to eat 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day.
7. EATING OUT TOO MUCH
Since I started cooking at home, I realised just how much bigger the servings are in takeaway shops and restaurants. And because you paid $10 or so for the meal, you don’t want to waste it and you end up scoffing everything down even though you were already full halfway through. Avoid eating out too much – not only are you more likely to control how much food you put in your mouth at home, you also know exactly what goes into the food.
8. EMOTIONAL EATING
How many times have you found yourself stressed at work then wolfed down a Hungry Jack’s large whopper meal to make you feel better? If you want a healthy body, you need to find a way to control your emotional attachment to food.
9. LACK OF CONSISTENCY
A key to getting and keeping a fit, healthy body is changing your lifestyle and ensuring you maintain it. Which is why crash diets don’t work because not many people can maintain it over a long period of time. When starting a weight-loss program, you need to ensure you can incorporate that into your lifestyle and that it is something you can maintain for a long period. I have seen too many friends of mine who have gone hard at exercising, spending time at the gym for 3 hours every day for 2 weeks only to find themselves dropping off and not being able to keep up with it.
10. NOT ENOUGH SLEEP
My personal trainer told me this was by far the most important key to losing weight. Getting a reasonable amount of sleep at night (at least 8 hours) relaxes and revitalises your mind and body, which is a must if you’re working out regularly. Having insufficient sleep-time leads to increase in stress hormones and you’ll find when you wake up in the morning, you become hungry and crave for junk food.
Sheknows.com suggests to commit to correcting one common mistake a week. As much as people like my sisters don’t want to hear it, getting a fit, healthy body and maintaining it isn’t a quick-fix. You have to be prepared to discipline and motivate yourself and change your lifestyle
I came across this article from www.sheknows.com which highlights 10 common mistakes people make when attempting to lose weight. I’d been there before (attempting to lose weight through other means besides the most logical) so I definitely agree with these. So, if you’re wondering why you’re still not losing as much weight as you would like, despite your hard work, read on –
1. CRASH DIET
Crash dieting would have to be the most popular weight loss ‘program’ many people undertake and one that has proven to be the most ineffective in the long run. Sheknows.com highlights two problems with crash dieting. You may lose weight BUT a lot of that is muscle tissue. So you may fit into an outfit a size smaller than you would previously wear but you’ll find you still have flabby arms, tummy and thighs. The other problem is, because you’re losing a lot of your muscle tissue, your metabolism slows down. ‘Muscle is your body’s metabolism – when you lose it, you reduce your metabolic capacity’.
I remember when I went through 3 months of drinking the poo tea. While the kilos dropped and I traipsed around in size 8 dresses, I couldn’t prevent my brother from teasing me about my ‘turkey’ arms and I had to continually suck in my tummy when wearing a bikini.
2. FOCUSING ON THE SCALE
Many people complain when, after doing a week of hour-long workouts at the gym, they find the scales haven’t budged a bit. Rather than focusing on scales and using that as confirmation that you are losing weight, opt for a tape measure instead. You may not notice any difference on the scales because if you are exercising properly, you should be building muscle (which weighs more than fat) and losing fat at the same time. But you should notice a difference when you look in the mirror, people make a comment and, best of all, when you suddenly find you can fit into a pair of pants that you hadn’t worn in ten years.
3. FOCUSING ON CARDIO
Many people opt to do only cardio workouts when trying to lose weight because cardio workouts burn more calories in the duration of the workout than, say, resistance training. But what they don’t realise is that the key to getting a more toned body is to increase the metabolism. You should go for activities that not only burn calories during the workout but also burn calories for hours and days afterwards, such as resistance and/or interval training. In short, don’t focus on just cardio-only workouts but aim to combine it with some weight training to build up muscle.
4. SKIPPING BREAKFAST
Skipping meals is something many people do – especially when they feel they ate like a pig the night before. But there is a reason why breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should never be missed. When you wake up, your body craves for nutrients as it’s been fasting for six hours or so. When you skip breakfast, your body starts breaking down muscle for energy – again, you have to remember that your muscle is your metabolism. Eat a healthy, well-balanced breakfast and you’ll find you’re less likely to overeat later on.
5. RELYING ON PILLS
I scoff everytime I see ads on TV with a distinguished spokesperson, an MD of some sort or other, talking about the benefits of their particular diet pills. Please! I have never met anyone who has ever lost weight through diet pills. Just as bad as crash diets.
6. EATING TOO LITTLE
Eating too little throughout the day will result in you overeating during dinner where there is little opportunity to burn off the calories as you’re more likely to just sit in front of the TV and relax. You may have heard this too often before but you really should try to eat 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day.
7. EATING OUT TOO MUCH
Since I started cooking at home, I realised just how much bigger the servings are in takeaway shops and restaurants. And because you paid $10 or so for the meal, you don’t want to waste it and you end up scoffing everything down even though you were already full halfway through. Avoid eating out too much – not only are you more likely to control how much food you put in your mouth at home, you also know exactly what goes into the food.
8. EMOTIONAL EATING
How many times have you found yourself stressed at work then wolfed down a Hungry Jack’s large whopper meal to make you feel better? If you want a healthy body, you need to find a way to control your emotional attachment to food.
9. LACK OF CONSISTENCY
A key to getting and keeping a fit, healthy body is changing your lifestyle and ensuring you maintain it. Which is why crash diets don’t work because not many people can maintain it over a long period of time. When starting a weight-loss program, you need to ensure you can incorporate that into your lifestyle and that it is something you can maintain for a long period. I have seen too many friends of mine who have gone hard at exercising, spending time at the gym for 3 hours every day for 2 weeks only to find themselves dropping off and not being able to keep up with it.
10. NOT ENOUGH SLEEP
My personal trainer told me this was by far the most important key to losing weight. Getting a reasonable amount of sleep at night (at least 8 hours) relaxes and revitalises your mind and body, which is a must if you’re working out regularly. Having insufficient sleep-time leads to increase in stress hormones and you’ll find when you wake up in the morning, you become hungry and crave for junk food.
Sheknows.com suggests to commit to correcting one common mistake a week. As much as people like my sisters don’t want to hear it, getting a fit, healthy body and maintaining it isn’t a quick-fix. You have to be prepared to discipline and motivate yourself and change your lifestyle
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Comment by Louie
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Comment by Michaelie
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Emotional eating is the hardest one of all. Every emotion I have urges me to eat vast quantities of chocolate.
Mich
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Comment by Chris Champion
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Regards,
Chris
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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Building muscle (not schwarzenegger type muscle - but regular toning and conditioning muscle) at least three times aweek will actually burn three times as many kilojoules as the treddie.
What's more you will burn more if you employ 'Fartlek' training (quick sprints interspersed with slow jogs or walks) than by simply jogging.
Just after the kids were born I decided to get accreditation as a Fitness Leader and Personal trainer - for no other reason than self education and to ensure that if my kids played sport that at least some parent had an idea of how they should stretch, warm up etc . . . the whole exercise (s'cuse the pun) was an eyeopener as far as the chemistry and workings of the human body goes.
There's no such thing as a permanent quick fix.
Stay well
Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
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First Time Mum
Michaelie, I hear you. When I get stressed out, I start craving junk food. Tell your friend that if she continues to take that tea for more than 6 months, it could do serious damage to her kidneys & liver.
Tracy, it is horrible. And so many women are willing to suffer through it in order to lose the kilos.
Glen, forget it. 7am? I'm not a lazy person but the thought of getting up at the crack of dawn (as 7am is to me
Timmy, good point. I know too many people who want to lose 5 kilos in a week and when I tell them how much calories they have to lose to lose 1 kilo, they don't believe. FYI - it takes appox 3000 calories to lose 1 kilo & seeing as a normal person's daily calorie intake is around 2000, people shouldn't expect to lose 1 kilo per day.
Chris, exactly right. When you run, you gain muscles on your calves, thighs, butt, even your arms and stomach but you drop the fat.
Cibb, I never used to believe it either when I spent countless hours on the bike & treadmill and still wondered why my arms were still flabby.
MNG, that's great! I want to educate my kids in the same way. I think people these days when attempting to lose weight have no idea of the nitty gritty of how the body works and that's why they turn to crash diets and/or set unrealistic goals. Are they teaching diet & nutrition in school? Because I don't remember being taught this at all.
Comment by Joanne Fedler
For me these are the ONLY principles to weight loss (I recently lost 16kg over 2 years) - but people don't want to hear this:
EAT LESS
MOVE MORE
That's what worked for me. When I could accept these principles, I shifted my reality, and about 16kg off my frame.
Jo
Comment by Lara M
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Comment by Aimzster
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Lara, hehehe...I used to have a cupboard of 'stress sweets'.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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Esoteric Bookshop
Another great post : Some great advice here, each a destinctive NO NO, Huh?
Took me a few years to get off the dieters scales... but nowadays I agree; throw out the scales, reduce portion sizes, eat regularly and chase that 30 minute workout each day, regardless... absolutely the best advice and hard won wisdumb ... luckily now it's a trimmer happy me thanks to good practices for the past few years, you just can't afford to become slack as you pass the 45 year flag!
Talking of portion sizes ... can anyone believe what is being pushed onto us these days. Honestly I don;t watch much TV, but when it is on the food has to be seen be believed and honestly with Australia now officially the most obese nation on the earth (outstripping America by 25%) ... THEY KEEP GETTING BIGGER!!!
*cringe* You want more? (they yell)
...well now you can not only have your cheesecake, pizza, garlic bread, and eat it but gorge on a 'FREE' Pepsi AND a Mars bar to go with it ... and that is not all, it can even be UPSIZED???
Oh Pleeeze....
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
My fingers are strong from all the typing though!
~Dianna
Comment by Johnny Come Lately
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Comment by Aimzster
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Dianna, upper body strength is something that continues to elude me as well - probably because I'm not holding the weights properly.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
The best poo drink out there is water. Drink a litre of water in the morning before you eat anything, you'll see just how regular you'll be
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
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I suspect my lack of upper body strength is because I don't even try...
~Dianna
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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Comment by Aimzster
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Mrs M, couldn't agree more. You really notice when you drink nothing but soft drinks.
Dianna, ah...well, that solves the mystery, doesn't it?
MNG, why didn't they have that at my school? Ours was nothing but potato pies and pasties!
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
There was never any mystery to begin with; just look at how much time I spend here...
~Dianna
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
People drive me dead set barmy. I thought Id be overweight forever until I started getting up early to do a little exercise - before you know it I was addicted, nothing like the exercise high! Once you start, food becomes essential to fuel you for more exercise. You are just drawn to the right kind of food. I still treat myself to junk but in moderation, and I lost the most weight with no scales and no mirrors in the house. I keep telling people - if you are looking at a bum/gut whatever, no matter how much weight you lose, you will still see it! Beginning to exercise gets you in tune with your body, you can sense the raise in metabolisim.
But some people just think exercise is a dirty word. When I lost 25kg, all my friends said "Wow! How did you do it!" Because they were going to do it too....But then I said exercise. They just got upset, minds frantically searching for another way....