These days, there are so many different kinds of ‘rules’ going around the health and wellness community regarding weight loss.
However, so many of these rules and restrictions are old-school and can end up hurting your progress instead of helping it. That’s why it’s better to listen to experts and people who have successfully lost weight in a healthy way when starting a weight loss journey. Amber C., a content creator and weight loss coach who has lost over 160 pounds, made a video about five “diet rules” she “broke” in order to have a successful weight loss. Read more about them below.
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1. Cutting Out All Sugar & Sweets
One of the oldest dieting rules in the book is to cut out all sources of refined sugar and sweet treats. However, one of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to slim down is to restrict themselves to things they love, like desserts and sweets, which can be enjoyed in moderation.
"I stopped demonizing sugar," wrote Amber. "Allowing treats in moderation made my diet sustainable and actually helped me stay consistent."
2. Only Doing Cardio For Exercise
There is a lot of information flying around about which type of exercise is best for effective weight loss, and many believe that cardio is the key to shedding excess pounds. While cardio is very beneficial and a great form of exercise, Amber notes that one of the best ways to keep up consistent and maintainable weight loss is by expanding your fitness routine.
"Strength training changed everything," she wrote. "Building muscle sped up my metabolism and reshaped my body."
3. Avoiding Eating Out
For many people trying to lose weight, eating out at restaurants can be a real struggle, as some menus are filled with indulgent items and not all of them list the calories or nutritional information. However, eating out is a big part of socializing and treating yourself, so you shouldn't consider it a forbidden activity.
"I learned how to enjoy restaurants by making mindful choices, balancing the rest of my day, and not stressing about one meal," explained Amber.
4. Cutting Out All Carbs
Many health influencers and more who follow old-school dieting rules will try to tell you that carbohydrates are the enemy when it comes to weight loss - don't listen to them! Carbohydrates are an essential macronutrient that gives you great energy to get through your day.
"I actually lost weight while eating carbs every single day," noted Amber. "Carbs give your body energy, keep workouts strong, and make meals satisfying. It's not carbs that cause weight gain; it's eating more than your body needs overall."
5. Say No To Special Occasions
Just like eating at a restaurant, some occasions, like birthday parties, nights out, and more, can lead to less-nutritional habits and items, like alcoholic drinks, cake, etc. And while taking part in all of that can hinder weight loss when done frequently, if it's only on special occasions, then you should be fine.
"I used to avoid birthdays, holidays, and dinners out because I thought one meal would ruin my progress," Amber wrote. "But the truth? One meal doesn't undo months of healthy habits. What matters is consistency, not perfection."
