Three Weight-Loss Mistakes to Avoid
Losing weight can be a tricky situation for some. We often think that we are doing something that aids in weight loss, when in reality, we’re only working against ourselves. It can be frustrating, working so diligently towards a goal, only to be disappointed by your results. Brian Wansink, PhD, director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab and author of Slim By Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life, says “Often people think they’re doing the right thing (i.e. not weighing themselves daily) but they may actually be making a mistake that prevents weight loss”.
So, as per usual, being in the know can help you to prevent these sorts of disappointing situations. Here are a few sneaky weight loss mistakes that you could be making:
Mistake #1: Sticking to Fat-Free Foods
Simply because something is devoid of fats does not make it healthy, per se. More often than not, fat-free foods are made with a very large amount of sugar in order to compensate for the lack of natural flavor. Furthermore, foods that contain plenty of healthy fats tend to be far more satisfying than fat-free options. If you’re eating foods without fat, then you probably will be tempted to eat far more due to not feeling full. You’ll have better luck eating smaller quantities of the full-fat stuff (it will probably taste better, too).
Mistake #2: Switching to Artificial, Low-Calorie Sweeteners
While utilizing low-calorie sweeteners (stevia, saccharin, aspartame, etc.) can save you some calories, they tend to be far sweeter than natural sugar (often close to one hundred times sweeter) and can have a detrimental effect on your taste buds, and potentially cause a sugar addiction. Furthermore, some studies indicate that these cravings caused by artificial sweeteners can actually lead to overeating.
Mistake #3: Not Keeping Realistic Goals For Yourself
Personal trainer Mary Ann Browning, president of Browning’s Fitness, says, “When you set unrealistic goals and don’t achieve them, you end up putting on extra pounds on top of the ones you wanted to lose in the first place. Eating healthy is a way of life.” Instead of vowing to exercise every single day for hours at a time or swearing off bread and pasta altogether, resolve to workout a few times each week. Eat well during the week, but then allow yourself to indulge a bit over the weekend. It will satisfy your cravings without making you feel as if you are deprived of the things you love.