When we first start going to the gym it can be very difficult to do everything right; there could be some exercises we're not performing right, a food we shouldn't be eating, we might not be counting our calories properly etc. no matter what the mistake, we are bound to make them. In order to overcome this it would behoove of us to immerse ourselves in the subject of health and fitness and learn about mistakes made by others in order to avoid the same things happening to us. Throughout this article we'll be looking at some major weight loss mistakes to avoid; by steering clear of these mistakes listed below you can ensure that you're well on your way to achieving your ideal physique.
Your Exercise Program Isn't Balanced or Intense Enough
It's safe to say that our exercise program is a major determining factor in regards to how much weight we gain or lose. With that being said, if our exercise program isn't balanced or intense enough then it can cause problems.
An imbalance could result in the major muscles not being worked – for example, you should make sure you are focusing on the main compound lifts which are squat, bench, row, shoulder press, deadlift. By doing the compound lifts you are ensuring there is zero imbalance in your workouts as these lifts activate a multitude of muscles.
Similarly your results will also suffer if there is a lack of intensity in your work out; it's important that our exercise routines are challenging as this will promote progress as well as growth and development of the muscles being worked. Failure to put the muscles under the needed intensity means that you aren't leaving your comfort zone, and that's when muscles grow!
You're Eating More than You Think
Another major problem we face is eating too much! When we first start on our nutritional plan we often think that we can eat a lot more food then we actually can. Surprisingly there are many foods which have a lot of calories, protein, carbs, sugar etc. which all lead up to weight gain. It's important to monitor our food intake and track our calories, in doing this we can make any necessary adjustments if we notice a gain in weight or if our weight becomes stagnant.
You're Drinking Too Much Sugar
Sugar is a part of our diet which we often don't think about too much – we all know it's a bad thing to consume but we don't look at for it as well as we should. Sugar is in pretty much everything and if you're looking for a way to gain weight then sugar is a great way to do that. This is simply because sugar is a form of energy which has a high glycemic index; this means that the energy produced from sugar must be used in a short amount of time or else it is converted to fat.
You're Eating Too Many Processed Carbs
In addition the above, carbs are also a source of energy – they are actually the body's main source of energy and are the reason why we can perform daily activities. The difference with carbs is that they come in a variety as some carbs are perfectly fine to eat all day long but there are others which could make us gain weight extremely easy. As a general rule of thumb it's best to stay away from the processed carbs as these will easily put weight on our frame.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the mistakes listed above are probably the most common mistakes which are made not just by those who are new to fitness but also to those who are very experienced. It's a very tough journey to be on though so you award yourself for getting started. Just remember to take a close look at the mistakes listed above and do your best to avoid these; in doing so, you will be well on your way to achieving your ideal physique and reaching your fitness goals.
Keep reading to find out more about weight loss mistakes:
http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/health/2013/10-biggest-weight-loss-mistakes#slide=1
http://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/weight-loss/top-10-weight-loss-mistakes-people-make.html
http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/7-weight-loss-mistakes-healthy-women-make