Because exercise has become such an integral aspect of my life, I find myself increasingly interested in learning more about it. One thing that I’ve learned is that while exercise can play a profoundly positive role in aiding weight less, there are some activities that we can engage in which preclude our workouts from helping us shed pounds. Here are three:
1. Snacks.
Although snacks can be a great aspect of any fitness plan because they can preclude overeating, people who overeat snacks can sabotage their weight loss goals. In thinking about what snacks you’re going to eat, consider the fact that many of them pack more calories than you might expect. For example, a White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino from Starbucks contains 610 calories. Additionally, a blueberry scone from Starbucks contains 460 calories. And although Balance Bars are a popular treat for many people who want to eat healthy snacks, they contain a whopping 200 calories. With these figures in mind, remember that frequent snacking can pack on the pounds and thereby sabotage the weight loss efforts you’re attempting to accomplish through exercise.
2. Sports and Energy Drinks.
Sports and energy drinks can detract from the weight loss efforts you’re attempting to accomplish through exercise for several reasons. First of all, they tend to contain a notable number of calories. The Monster Energy drink, for example, has 200 calories. And the Gatorade Lemon-Lime drink has 150 calories. Moreover, many sports and energy drinks out there are loaded with sugar that-when consumed in excess-can have a negative impact on both weight specifically and health generally. Thus instead of consuming sports and energy drinks, consider healthier options such as water. After your workout, you can consume a low calorie post workout smoothie made of real food like spinach and oranges.
3. Starvation.
As ACE Fitness notes in discussing behaviors that can sabotage your workout plan, starving is never the answer. Oftentimes, starving yourself temporarily can lead to binge eating, an enterprise which causes you to take in more calories and develop unhealthy food patterns that can have negative long-term effects on your body. Additionally, eating healthily throughout your day plays an integral role in helping you maintain the appropriate blood sugar levels which regulate energy levels, mood, and brain functioning. When you skip meals, your blood sugar levels drop and can thereby lead to a host of physical problems.
Conclusion
Although beginning a workout plan is a great step towards losing weight and looking weight, you must pay attention to your daily behaviors to determine whether you may be sabotaging your wellness efforts. If you are currently engaging in any of the behaviors listed above, you should stop immediately. Doing so will enable you to see the healthy results you want from your exercise program. Good luck!
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