You’re on your way to the gym to work out, when you pass by the café next door. You think to yourself, ‘Hmm that smell is enticing. I think I’ll go in and have some coffee. Perhaps I’ll even buy a pastry as well.’ Before you know it, you’re sitting there with a caramel macchiato in hand, a small cup of warm, buttery pastry in front of you.
How did this happen? You were supposed to be working out, getting your body back in shape after weeks of holiday flab. But now you’re sat there with temptation in front of you. It didn’t have to be this way. You could have chosen healthier options, like green tea or peppermint tea with a splash of milk. But no, you picked up that cup of coffee because it was there, and because it was hot, and because it seemed to go well with the aroma of freshly brewed French fries that were just coming out of the kitchen.
You don’t need to eat fast food to gain weight. There are plenty of healthier alternatives that you can choose from. You just have to know what they are! This article will tell you what not to eat to lose weight. It will cover everything from takeaway food to chocolate. Hopefully, it will help you make better decisions when it comes to your diet and fitness.
Avoid Alcohol
When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to cut back on the drinks. The calories in alcohol are high, and it’s certainly not healthy. There are many cocktails, wines, and beers out there that are loaded with calories. Even the smallest drink contains around 20 calories, and a large drink can contain around 50 calories. If you’re planning to go out for drinks with your friends, try choosing a healthier option. A green salad or a grilled chicken breast sound much more appealing than a large glass of wine or cocktail. You’ll be surprised at how many calories are in some of the fizzy drinks that you buy from the supermarket. Sodas and lagers are particularly bad because they have a lot of sugar in them. If you’re really cutting back on drink, perhaps try a glass of milk instead. It won’t hurt you, and it won’t break your calorie budget. Besides, it’s good for your bones.
Skip The Takeaway
It’s easy for restaurants and cafés to get it wrong when it comes to health issues. It’s not always easy to tell how many calories are in an ordered meal, and sometimes they don’t have nutritious options available. When you order food from somewhere, it usually takes a while for it to arrive. During this time, you’re exposed to all sorts of germs from the uncooked food, to those lurking in the kitchen. If you’re looking for food that isn’t going to break the bank or ruin your diet, skip the takeaway and go to a café or restaurant where you can eat what you want. You’re more likely to make healthier choices when you’re in a café or restaurant, because they tend to offer a large range of food and aren’t as likely to serve something incredibly unhealthy. It’s also better when eaten ‘en famille’, which means family and friends gather around and help themselves to food served in large platters. This encourages everyone to try new things, and makes it less likely that someone will order a diet soda or sweet cider. It also means that the restaurant has to keep topping up everyone’s drinks, so there’s more money in the till.
Use The Right Equipment
When you go to the gym, you’ll typically need to bring a lot of equipment with you. This doesn’t mean that you need to have the full sportswear outfit, but you do need to have comfortable and athletic shoes, along with workout gear such as tights, sports bras, and leggings. If you want to lose weight, it’s important to make the right choice regarding your equipment. When buying workout gear, make sure that you’re buying something that’s functional and won’t let you hurt yourself during your workouts. In the same way that you wouldn’t drive a heavy car without good tires, you shouldn’t work out with bad gear. When it comes down to working out, safety comes first. Before you know it, your expensive sports gear will end up in the trash, because it wasn’t designed for everyday wear and tear. Remember to purchase equipment for the weight that you need, and try to avoid buying more than you need. This will help you avoid unnecessary stress when exercising.
Eat To Nourish
When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to avoid foods that will only make you gain more weight. If you want to reduce your waistline, you need to put yourself in a position to lose weight. This means that you need to eat foods that will make you feel fuller, longer. When you eat foods that are high in fiber, like berries, whole grains, and nuts, you’ll feel fuller for longer, and be less likely to reach for any snacks or convenience foods. These tend to be high in empty calories, and low in nutrients. Instead of having a candy bar or cake, try having some grapes or a tangerine. Instead of a sandwich, try having a salad or grilled chicken. This will not only help you to lose weight, but will also help to nourish your body with the vitamins and minerals that it needs. Most importantly, it means that you’re treating your body with care, and not like a temple that you need to sanctify by eating as little as possible. By eating to nourish, you allow your body to heal itself, and you increase your chances of losing weight successfully.
Avoid The Dessert
Desserts are often seen as a good option when you’re dining out or at a café. This is mainly because there aren’t many foods that are considered ‘light’ in terms of calories. Most of us are bombarded with images of perfectly round cakes, fluffy doughnuts, and lush chocolate mousse. While these foods are lovely, it’s important to remember that they’re not always perfect when it comes to nutrition. A lot of restaurants inflate the calories in their recipes, mostly through using very high-fat dairy products and refined sugars. When you’re eating out, it’s always best to choose a salad or soup as a starter, and avoid anything with cheese or bacon. If you’re having dessert, try for something vegetable-based and water-rich. For example, opt for raspberries with vanilla yogurt, or eat a small portion of chocolate with salted peanuts. These are all good options for those looking to shed the pounds. While cheesecake and chocolate lava cake are popular at dinner parties, those looking to lose weight will find it harder to achieve their goal if they continue to indulge in these foods at every meal.
Eat When You’re Hungry
This point goes without saying, but it’s key whenever you’re trying to lose weight. If you’re not hungry, you’ll be less likely to eat something that isn’t nutritious. It’s easy for those around you to serve up empty calories, whether through drinks or desserts. When you’re at a café or restaurant, it’s easy for someone to place an order for a coffee, and another for a cheesecake. If you really want to lose weight, it’s essential that you don’t give in to these requests. Instead, be aware of how you’re feeling, and if you want something sweet, have a lemonade instead. If you have no hunger at all, ask for something light, like a green salad or poached egg on toast. If you’re still feeling hungry at this point, have a snack, like a small bag of cherries or a stick of celery with dip. This will provide you with the nutrients your body needs to grow and maintain a healthy, strong heart.
If you want to lose weight, it’s important to look at everything you eat, and how it effects you. Eating the right foods, at the right times, will increase your chances of reaching your goal. Cut out the foods that you know aren’t good for you, and try to replace them with healthier options. You’ll be happier and healthier in the long run, and it’ll be easier for you to stick to your diet. Make sure to eat when you’re hungry, and try to avoid grazing throughout the day. Going back for seconds and thirds isn’t good for your waistline, no matter how delectable those extra snacks appear to be.