Your toil in the gym can easily be undone if you reach out for electrolyte replacing drinks or don't satiate your increased appetite with the right foods. Photo Credit: AFPJune 20, 2009, (Sawf News) - Tammy Lakatos Shames and Lyssie Lakatos, the Nutrition Twins, say there are several common weight loss blunders that people make when they start exercising which often leave them discouraged. Here is what to watch out for.
Electrolyte replacing drinks such as Gatorade during a workout are only needed when exercising for more than an hour to an hour and half. Since most people workout for about 20 minutes to an hour at moderate intensity, the sugary drinks can completely undo the weight loss.
Water is the best way to stay hydrated while exercising. For people who need a sugary drink to stay motivated and hydrated during a workout, they are better off reaching for a bottle of flavored water packed with all the flavor and none of the calories.
Exercising increases your appetite and a common mistake many people make is that they end up eating more than they need after a workout. The best way to tackle the hunger is to be aware that your appetite is bound to increase and add more filling foods to your diet. So ditch the extra plate of pasta and go for the veggies.
A great snack to reach for when those hunger pangs hit is a handful of, approximately thirty, pistachios. They are low in fat, high in fiber and the best way to get that extra bit of protein.
Be wary of protein shakes and bars. Protein shakes are packed with calories and ideal for people who are into heavy weight lifting and body building but can be disastrous for the average workout. We can easily get most of our protein from our regular diet of foods such as chicken breast, beans or tofu.
Beware of the calorie loss count on the exercise machines as they overestimate the total calories burnt by about 15-20%. To make a safe estimate of your total calories spent on the machine simply divide the number by half to avoid any room for overindulging.
The best time to workout is earlier in the day so that you don't just come home from a workout and collapse on the couch. Its best to remain active even after a workout to achieve faster weight loss.
And lastly, the scale does lie. Well, a little. As you weight train and gain more body muscle, your body will start to look more toned and slimmer but your overall weight may actually go up. This happens because muscle is heavier than fat. The best way to gauge your weight loss is to take before and after measurements of your waist, hips, arms, thighs and even the neck.
Weight loss is never an easy process but persistence and some healthy tips can help to keep you from getting discouraged.
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