Top 10 diet myths- 1. Weekend binge out

In this series I will be looking at the 10 most common ways you are sabotaging your diet, often without realising by following some widely accepted 'diet rules'.

1. Weekend binge

You've been watching what you eat all week and working hard at the gym- it's Saturday so time to ease up and have a few treats right? Very wrong!

This is so widespread it seems to be hardwired into the human brain, just about everyone reaches the conclusion that they can eat what they want (also drink what they want) on Saturdays and Sundays, some even start Friday night.

Lets get the biggest problem out of the way- alcohol. A glass of wine can contain 200 calories or more depending on the size of the glass, drink a whole bottle you have 800 calories right there. Two bottles and you really will have problems. 

Alcohol also lowers your blood sugar, this combined with a lessening of inhibition will lead to the consumption of high calorie foods on an industrial scale.  It is not uncommon for someone to put down 4000 calories in one evening.

These calories don't just disappear with wishful thinking. Like a dog displaced from its favourite place in front of the fire they return to where they feel most at home, which isn't likely to be where you want them.

Take your total calories for each week and divide by 7.  If you are having 1500 a day and exercising then having 4000 extra on a Saturday you will actually be consuming 571 more calories daily (4000/7). This will bring you up to you maintenance level of around 2000 daily so you weight will remain the same, eat more over the whole weekend and it will go up.

I'm not saying don't have treat at the weekend just factor it into your weekly calories- if you go 500 calories over then do a 500 calorie workout at the gym to even things up.

As a side not I hear too much talk about deprivation in relation to abstaining from alcohol and junk food.  Eating healthily is NOT deprivation and is an insult to famine stricken communities.  Being overweight IS depriving yourself of looking and feeling good and ultimately your health.


www.markhaywardpt.com

Big diet mistake- eating too little

You simply have no reason to go below 1200 calories per day. There is a very good reason for this- your body will go into starvation mode and you will find it very difficult to lose weight. If you combine this with Big diet mistake #3 then you will be in trouble.

Doctors give patients who are in a coma 1200 calories per day to make sure their organs continue to function correctly. Starving yourself over a long period of time may seem like and obvious way to lose weight but it really is a big trap, its not only unpleasant but unnecessary and counterproductive too. 

If you are going below 1200 calories a day and exercising more than 5 times a week you may want to consult your doctor about a possible eating disorder.