As I continue preparing to take my Group Fitness Instructor Exam, I am always reminded of the fact that there is an indelible connection between the worlds of exercise and diet. With this thought in mind, I want to ensure that I know as much as possible about the world of nutrition so that I can help my future clients obtain optimal wellness. In recognizing that many people choose to diet for the purpose of speeding up the weight loss process they’re attempting to facilitate through exercise, I understand that there are several poor dieting decisions people can make that actually slow down the process of shedding unwanted pounds. Here are three which you should avoid:
1. Eating On The Go.
Unfortunately, contemporary society has made a whole marketing campaign around this concept. The idea is that many of us are so busy with our work and social lives that we do not have time to sit down for a meal. With that idea in mind, we’re being marketed liquid shakes and meals you can pop into the microwave more and more. While you may think that choosing these types of on-the-go meals is advantageous because it saves you time, they can be harmful to your health for several reasons. Firstly, a lot of the meals being marketed are loaded with preservatives and additives such as sodium and high fructose corn syrup. These ingredients are not conducive to health or weight loss. Additionally, the “eat on the go” mentality can foster digestive issues as it oftentimes unconsciously facilitates eating quickly and not chewing thoroughly, both of which make it more difficult for our stomachs to process the food we’ve eaten. When this happens, we not only impair digestion but also preclude our bodies from attaining nutrients from the food we’re eating.
2. Skipping Breakfast.
As many dietitians and nutritionists know, skipping breakfast is not a good idea for anyone, and it can be especially bad for dieters who are attempting to establish good eating habits and facilitate permanent weight loss. Eating breakfast is important for a variety of reasons, including the fact that it breaks the fast your body has been on while you were asleep. In her own discussion of why skipping breakfast is bad, Dina Spector points to studies indicating that missing this important meal facilitates obesity because eating earlier in the day precludes us from eating too much in the evenings. Additionally, eating breakfast suppresses concentrations of insulin, the hormone which encourages our fat cells to take up and store fatty acids. So if you are following a diet, make sure it includes a nutritious breakfast!
3. Having No Plan.
As many behavioral and psychological experts know, planning anything is almost always effective in helping us accomplish goals we set for ourselves. This principle is as applicable to the world of dieting as it is for any other sector of life. With that thought in mind, you should be sure that your diet is systematic and orderly or you may find yourself “playing it by ear.” When this happens, you’re much more likely to eat foods that you’re not supposed to or find yourself without an adequate supply of the nutritious foods you should be eating and thus susceptible to consuming calorically rich, nutritionally vacuous items. Before Day 1 of your diet, think about making notes in your personal planner and calendar regarding what you’ll be eating and when. Doing these things will help you stick to the diet.
Conclusion
If you plan to diet in order to lose weight, know that accomplishing this goal is more than possible. At the same time, recognize that there are several bad habits that you can actualize which will preclude you from shedding the unwanted weight that troubles you. By following the advice I’ve listed above, I think you’ll find yourself having greater success on your diet. Good luck! :)
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