Could you be going overboard in your efforts to look your best? Sure we all want to have awesome bodies and be in tip top shape, but there is a method to the madness. There are some that are so wrapped up in reaching their ideal goals that they’re willing to do anything to achieve it. Though unhealthy practices may help you to reach your milestone faster, they can ultimately compromise your health.
Could you be doing more harm than good? Here are a few unhealthy habits you should stop immediately.
Excessively Exercising
Exercising is a great way to stay in shape both physically and mentally. It is also necessary for losing weight and building muscle. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with getting your daily routine in, if you’re doing too much it can start to affect your health. Exercising generates small tears into the muscle fiber. When this happens, the muscles need ample amount of time to heal in order to build strength and tone up. Not to mention, too much exercise can stress the body out, which can lead to an increase in cortisol. Cortisol, in turn, can prevent testosterone from developing which is necessary for building muscle tissue.
Not Eating
A common misconception is that if you skip a meal or two, you’ll lose weight faster. The truth, however, is that skipping meals may help you lose weight in an unhealthy way. Your body is not getting the nutrients it needs to function properly. In fact, not eating and excessively exercising can lead to a serious eating disorder known as Anorexia nervosa. Though this eating disorder is thought of as a “disorder for women,” it actually affects men as well. If you’ve been trying to get buff by skipping a meal or two and working out without allowing your body to heal, you may want to consider getting help from professionals that specialize in eating disorder treatment for men.
Drugs and Pills
Many people utilize supplements as a means to get in shape. Though supplements to help you burn more fat can be beneficial with healthy dieting and exercise, too much of anything is never good for you. There are a lot of people that will use more than the required dose with the hopes of losing more weight, which can wreak havoc on your body. Others turn to drugs like cocaine for fast weight loss or steroids to increase muscle mass.
As you know illegal drugs like cocaine can have lasting effects including the potential for addiction and other adverse health complications. Steroids, when not used properly, can also cause issues including liver damage, high blood pressure, lowered cholesterol, impotence, and issues with the prostate to name a few.
Eliminating All Carbs
Novice dieters make the mistake of removing all carbs from their diet in the hopes of losing weight faster. Though refined carbs can attribute to packing on the pounds, the truth is, the body needs some carbohydrates. Carbs provide your body with the necessary sugar to remain energized throughout the day. Depriving your body of carbs for a long period of time can lead to mood swings, increase your LDL cholesterol (bad for the heart), and cause you to gain weight. Instead of ridding your diet of carbs altogether it is best to eat in moderation and try to incorporate more complex carbs (wheat, rye, brown rice, etc).
At the end of the day working out and sticking to a well balanced meal plan is the best way to help you achieve your fitness goals. Though you may not be pleased with how long it’s taking to get there, just remember that slow and steady wins the race. Trying to starve your body, restrict necessary nutrients, or use illegal drugs to get the body you want will only backfire in the end.
MFS Suggests…
The Betty Rocker Body Fuel System
A 30-day Eating Guide to Your Best Body Ever!
Discover the best-kept secret in the food marketing industry and uncover the strategies that will effortlessly shed pounds off your body. The Body Fuel System comes with a 30-day customized weekly eating plan, a weekly shopping guide, a weekly food-prep guide, healthy fitness recipes, Betty Rocker’s top 5 ab-shredding moves, additional tips & tricks to keep you lean and much more. Click HERE for more details.