Healthy Habits - 5 Workout Mistakes That Lead to Weight Gain

 We all know that exercise is essential for a healthy life. But did you know that if you're hitting the treadmill or lifting weights primarily to shed a few pounds, you might be doing yourself a disservice? Miranda Kay RN, Medical Editor at Nursa, observes, "Exercise and diet are like two wheels on a bicycle – they both have to be working in harmony to get you where you want to go."

Turns out, your favorite workout might be secretly undermining your healthy eating efforts. Here's how:

• Cardio Overload: Many believe that doing more cardio equals better results. However, focusing solely on cardiovascular exercise can backfire. According to Fit Factory Club, your body may start burning muscle for energy, slowing down your metabolism and making fat loss more challenging.
• Waist Trainer Woes: Celebrity-endorsed waist trainers promise to sculpt your body, but they often fail to deliver long-term results. They can harm your organs without providing any lasting benefits for weight loss or body shaping. It's best to steer clear of these trendy but risky devices.
• Extreme Calorie Cutting: Some people resort to extreme calorie-cutting diets paired with intense workouts to lose weight quickly. However, as per News Medical, this approach can lead to nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, and a slowed metabolism, making it harder to maintain weight loss in the long run.
• Over-Reliance on Spot Training: Targeting specific areas for fat loss, such as endless crunches for a flat stomach or countless arm curls for toned arms, may not be as effective as overall strength training and cardio for overall fat reduction and muscle tone.
• Excessive High-Intensity Workouts: While high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is praised for its calorie-burning benefits, doing it excessively without proper rest and recovery can lead to burnout, injuries, and increased stress levels, which can negatively impact your eating habits and overall well-being.

So, Should I Just Stop Working Out?

Absolutely not! Exercise has countless benefits for your overall health. The key is shifting your perspective. Instead of focusing on exercise for weight loss alone, prioritize the following:

• Clean Eating: Focus on whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources.
• Portion Control: Be mindful of how much you're eating, even if it's healthy food.
• Listen to Your Body: Use exercise as a way to energize and feel good, not as a calorie-burning mission.

The Bottom Line:

"Fitness and nutrition go hand in hand; one cannot thrive without the other,” concludes Miranda Kay, RN.

Weight loss is a complex puzzle, and exercise is one important piece. By adjusting your mindset, understanding the limitations of exercise for weight loss, and prioritizing a balanced diet, you'll be well on your way to reaching your health goals.

Post courtesy https://nursa.com/