Big 80s hair, harem pants, scrunchies, and baby tees are just a few fashion trends that many people have been happy to see come and go over the years. But just like the fashion industry, the weight-loss industry sees just as many trends come and go — and not all of them are healthy and effective.
Most people who haven’t exercised or eaten healthy foods in quite some time can experience a major culture shock when they introduce themselves back into the mix of healthy living. Certain weight-loss practices that were all the rage 10 or 20 years ago have long since been proven ineffective or even dangerous since their release, and scientific research continues to reveal that there are certain types of exercises we can do that work best at driving weight loss.
Are you guilty of following one or more weight-loss trends that are no longer effective? Here are five weight-loss trends that should disappear for good.
1. Avoiding all fats
In previous years, people generally tended to avoid eating foods such as almonds, olive oil, and avocados for fear that these foods would make them gain weight and contribute to obesity. However, these foods all contain healthy fats, which are great for heart health and for driving weight loss. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are known as good, healthy fats, whereas trans and saturated fats are types of bad, unhealthy fats that can have devastating effects on your waistline. Stop avoiding healthy fats, and focus more on eating these types of foods to become healthier.
2. Doing hour-long cardio workouts
Longer workouts don’t necessarily equate to more calories and fat being burned. In fact, research shows that long cardio workout sessions can result in the release of stress hormone cortisol, which in turn, can lead to worsened insulin resistance, loss of bone density and lean muscle mass, and weight gain. Stop doing long, drawn-out cardio sessions, and increase your intensity level during shorter 20-minute workouts for the best fat-burning potential.
3. Relying on sports energy drinks
Sports energy drinks that boast electrolytes such as Gatorade may seem refreshing to drink after workouts based on what you see in television ads and commercials; however, these types of drinks are often high in sugar content, which can hinder your weight-loss efforts. Instead of reaching for sports drinks and energy drinks following your workouts, just drink more water before, during, and after your workouts to hydrate and replenish lost fluids.
4. Taking weight-loss supplements that offer endless promises
If certain weight-loss supplements sound too good to be true, it’s because they probably are. Nothing works as effective for weight loss as good nutrition, regular exercise, and in some cases, weight-loss surgery. Weight-loss supplements that promise you’ll burn through 10 pounds in under a week just by taking a pill will often do nothing to help with your weight-loss progress. If you’re looking for nutritional supplements that can help drive your health and fuel your workouts, speak to your health care provider for their recommendations on products that can help.
