You can work out religiously and still not see the results you’re after on the scale. If you’re tired of sweating and not seeing those pounds fall off, it’s probably time to look more closely at your diet. When there is a stumbling block on the path to losing weight, it is almost always associated with nutrition.
The reality is all the exercise in the world won’t help with healthy weight loss if diet is not addressed, too. If you eat too much of the wrong things, your workout might not compensate for the caloric intake. Should you not eat enough or skip meals throughout the day, your body might go into calorie-conservation mode. This means your metabolism might slow, preventing you from losing weight even with exercise.
Fortunately, there are some very good ways to make sure diet is addressed effectively along with your workouts. To lose weight without resorting to unsafe, unhealthy fad diets, try these simple tips:
• Make smart dietary changes you can live with – There’s no point going on a diet to lose weight if you can’t stick with it for the long haul. Rather than adopting a “plan,” try eating smarter. Limit intake of carbohydrates, select whole grains and lean meats, eat fresh fruits and vegetables and steer clear of sugary foods.
• Limit calorie intake – You don’t necessarily have to count every calorie for the rest of your life to get results. You do, however, have to stay within a healthy range of calories for you. Try to cut down on how much you eat and consider counting calories for a week to really see what you’re consuming.
• Read labels – While it’s always best to avoid prepackaged foods, this isn’t always possible. When it’s a must, make sure to read labels to pick the healthier choices. There are some decent options out there, if you look for them.
• Pick frozen foods with care – Frozen dinners are often a better choice than fast-food when you’re in a rush. Do, however, pick the smarter choices here. There are some great healthful frozen entrees on the market today. Read those labels to find them.
• Pinpoint your triggers – Everyone has a food they just can’t seem to stay away from. Figure out what your temptations are and try to come up with healthful alternatives. If your weakness is greasy, crunchy potato chips, a handful of nuts might do the trick. Chocolate lovers might find low-fat, low-calorie pudding does the trick just as well as a big candy bar.
If you’re exercising and not losing weight, it’s time to explore why. Work with your fitness trainer or the professionals at your gym to come up with more ideas to help you better address the nutritional side of the weight-loss coin.
