We all try to enforce a few good eating and exercise habits to keep us on the healthier side. Whether it’s going for the low-fat option or sticking to a daily gym routine like it’s going out of fashion, the ugly truth is that these habits could actually be preventing us from our bigger-picture heath and wellness goals.
How do we know? Well, according to the health and wellness experts from the 12-week body, self-image and lifestyle event, A Season of Change, there are six habits that we think are doing us good, which could actually be leading us astray. See the below tips on how to right our wrongs, and refresh your mind when it comes to a healthy body.
Low-Fat Foods
“Fat-free” or “low-fat” labelled foods don’t always mean you deserve a pat on the back. These products are often loaded with hidden sugars and chemicals, which are digested fast and result in sugar crashes. You’ll be hungry again before you know it. Rather than opting for the low-fat foods, keep nutrition front of mind because foods full of nutrients will mean less snacking and keep you fuller for much longer.
Thinking Coffee Doesn’t Count
Liquid calories are a very real thing. We know most days don’t really start until there’s a cup of caffeine in hand, but don’t forget to tally that into your daily food intake. Milk and sugar add up, just as much as the food on your plate.
Your Routine Can Stop Working
It’s fantastic to have a workout regime, whether it be daily or weekly. But if you’ve stuck to the same routine for months now, there’s a chance that hard work might not be working as well as you hope. One of A Season of Change’s resident fitness experts, Anna Bramley, tells us that varied workouts are best, with a change in your routine once every four to eight weeks if you want to see results. “Just as you can get bored by always doing the same exercises, your body can also adapt so that the exercise you’re doing doesn’t offer the same benefits it once did,” she says. Be sure to include something different, like speed, distance, hills or resistance to keep your body in check.
Don’t Rely Solely on Willpower
Willpower is great when it comes to health and well-being. But even if you’ve got tons of it, it doesn’t mean you’re set. Preparation and strategy are also key. Get rid of temptation foods completely because you never know when your willpower will fail you. Breakups and hangovers aren’t kind to your healthy-eating goals.
Don’t Always Trust Your Daily Gym Routine
Some people love exercising. Like, really love it. And that’s awesome. But you’ve got to give yourself some downtime. Former footy player and A Season of Change’s lifestyle coach, Luke Sniewski, knows this all too well, saying, “Even Olympic athletes have scheduled rest days in their training plans, in order to allow the body time to recuperate.” Luke recommends planning your rest day depending on your level of fitness. So, if you’re new to the whole exercise thing, you can take a no-activity rest day, but if you’re a little more seasoned, your rest days might involve gentle cardio or yoga.
Healthy Foods Aren’t Always Healthy
Portion control, people. Yes, that food might be very healthy, but over-indulgence can always rear its ugly head. “Focusing on nutritional value and portion size is the best way to keep healthy foods healthy,” according to A Season of Change’s resident nutritionist, Dane Fuller. Eating too much of anything, good or bad, is never going to give you the desired benefits.
