13 Daily Habits That Discretely Make You Gain Extra Pounds

The combination of nutritious meals, regular exercise, and a well-thought-out weight loss plan might not be enough to help you shed extra pounds. In this case, there may be small daily routines that are left unnoticed, and they need to be checked. Things like a preference for plant-based alternatives, an obsession with sports or the gym, or even your choice of casual clothes can significantly slow your journey down.

No need to worry, Bright Side has got your back. Let’s find out together what habits need to be avoided for effective weight loss.

1. You’re obsessed with avocados.

Avocados are loaded with healthy unsaturated fats and other useful nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants. Because of this good reputation, people tend to add it to their toast, eggs, dips, and even smoothies without tracking the amount. However, they’re rather high in calories, which means too much of them won’t be beneficial. It’s recommended to stick to half an avocado a day for healthy weight loss.

2. You ignore lunchtime.

Some people skip lunch because they believe that eating light is good for them, while others are simply so busy throughout the day that they forget to eat. Not giving yourself enough food can make you feel fatigued and stressed, which results in increased cravings and unhealthy food binges later on. In addition to this, it can lead to hormonal imbalances that stop you from burning fat.

3. You prefer skinny jeans.

They might help to create an illusion and help you to appear slimmer, but wearing them frequently can lead to some issues. Skinny jeans squeeze your thighs, buttocks, and core, preventing muscles from performing their support function. After being under pressure for a long time, they become relaxed and start looking flabby. To prevent this, you can either switch to more relaxed styles or regularly massage your ankles and core after wearing such jeans.

4. You switched to almond milk.

If you’re not lactose intolerant or vegan, switching over to plant-based milk substitutes might not be the best idea when you’re trying to shed some pounds. Those who consume dairy products have a boosted metabolism and a lower chance of gaining weight, thanks to calcium. However, this only works if it’s incorporated into a healthy, balanced diet.

5. You avoid carbs and fats.

Sacrificing other nutrients for more protein can result in heart problems, a weakened immune system, vitamin deficiencies, and more. In addition to this, not having enough carbs and healthy fats in your meals imbalances your diet and leads to weight gain. To get the best health benefits, make sure that you consume mostly complex carbs and unsaturated fats.

6. You’re too harsh on your body.

Regular exercise not only helps you to achieve a lean body, but it’s also an amazing way to reduce stress levels. However, too much of it can work in reverse and raise your cortisol levels. This causes your body to store more fat and crave food more. It’s recommended to get around 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week. Your major muscle groups need to be trained 2 times a week.

7. You go for “zero sugar.”

In the short run, artificial sweeteners might help to cut on some calories, but in the long run, they can cause some serious health problems. Not only can they set your weight loss off, but sugar substitutes are linked to diabetes and obesity. Moreover, they can influence your cravings and make you want to eat more sweet treats.

8. You prefer staying at home.

If you don’t expose your body to natural light on a daily basis, you might store more and more fat. According to a study, when daylight penetrates our skin, it also reaches the fat cells. After this happens, they start storing less fat because the lipid droplets get reduced in size and are released out of the cell. Thus, try to get outside and get your healthy dose of natural daylight for at least half an hour, daily.

9. Your manners are too good.

Eating together with our friends and family might make us consume more food than we planned. Also, we might feel guilty for not finishing our plate, especially when someone prepares a delicious meal for us. However, this feeling brings more harm than good, making us overeat, and as a result, gain more pounds.

10. You prefer milky coffee.

Coffee itself won’t spoil your weight loss, but what you decide to add to it definitely can. Instead of a simple cup of black coffee in the morning, many opt for a sweetened beverage with milk or cream. Sugar and fat in this drink can add up in terms of calories, and drinking it regularly will quickly result in extra pounds. For comparison, a cup of dark roasted coffee contains only 4 calories, while a cup of milky cappuccino is 110 calories.

11. You don’t have enough magnesium.

Not only is this mineral vital for our nerve impulses, muscles, and heart health, but its deficit can sabotage your weight loss. Magnesium helps to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose control. Boosting it has a positive effect on improving and maintaining a healthy weight. Dark chocolate, nuts, legumes, and fatty fish can help you to raise its level.

12. You overdo it with natural sweeteners.

Natural sugar substitutes, like maple syrup or honey, are great alternatives, but don’t forget that they also contain sugar. For example, a tablespoon of syrup contains 12 grams of sugar, while a tablespoon of honey has 17 grams. It doesn’t mean that you should completely eliminate these products from your diet, but you ought to be mindful of the amount that you add to your meals.

13. You take gummy vitamins.

If you strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle but weight loss still isn’t happening, then you might need to check your supplements. If you consume gummy vitamins instead of ordinary pills, you should know that they usually contain added sugar. Surely, it won’t make you instantly fat, but it can slow down the process of weight loss significantly.

Which of these habits do you have?