Habits that prevent weight loss

Here are 10 unhealthy habits that prevent us from losing weight:

1. Skipping breakfast -- We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Many people think that if you skip breakfast, you will save calories and you will shed more pounds, but quite the contrary. In fact, this bad habit adds pounds. A recent study found that those who ate ready-to eat breakfast cereal or even muffins had significantly lower BMI (body mass indexes) than those who skipped breakfast.

2. Clean Your Plate Syndrome -- Serving sizes are much smaller than what we place on our plates and what we visualize. Portion sizes at restaurants or even what we serve ourselves on an average-size dinner plate are far greater than one serving. This packs on numerous uncounted calories and ultimately packs on the bulge. Check the label and stick to the portion size, even if you have to put the rest in the refrigerator or take home a doggie bag.

3. Eating at your desk -- Everyone is busy. We eat when we can fit a few bites in our mouth between jobs, picking up kids and keeping our families together. This is why you need to take time to eat a well-balanced meal with small snacks in between. Make time for meals as often as you can. When you designate only the dining room, kitchen and restaurants as your eating areas, you are less likely to be distracted and overeat.

4. Eating late at night -- This is one of the most common ways people sabotage their weight-loss goals. They have been good all day and had a reasonable dinner. Then they sit on the couch and they get a sudden urge to eat. Others eat late nights because they work long hours and do not have time to eat during the day. Which brings us back to snacking at your desk. Make sure to eat a well-balanced meal for breakfast and lunch, with a small snack in between to prevent hunger or boredom binging late at night.

5. Fat-free everything -- Eating fat-free everything is not the best way to balance your diet. Many people believe that the way to lose weight to is lose the fat from your diet. In addition to making food taste good, fat also makes you feel satisfied. If you cut out all fat from your diet, you will feel the need to eat more calorie-filled foods such as cookies and pretzels. Keep your calories to about 20 percent to 30 percent of good fats such as olive oil, peanuts, avocados and fish oils.

6. Alcohol -- Beer, wine or spirits pack calories mercilessly. Not only does alcohol contribute 7 calories per gram, but it has the effect of making you eat more during a meal. If you are going to drink, space each drink you have with a glass of water and avoid any high sugar and calorie-packed tropical and frozen drinks. Also, do not head out for a wild night on the town without eating something first.


