As summer is quickly approaching, many are looking to get a “beach body” with the weather warming and shorelines opening up. While it is great to strive for a healthier lifestyle, many “health” tips or topics create an unsustainable way of eating —and living. Here are a few health tips to avoid:
Low-Carb Diets.
While going low-carb for a period of time may help you lose a few pounds, it can be harmful to your health in the long run. People experience less energy and tend to eat foods like animal proteins, saturated fats, and cholesterol. When trying to live a healthier lifestyle, it is crucial to consume all food groups, just in moderation.
Excessive Exercise
Many fitness influencers show unrealistic expectations of exercise as a result of being in the gym for hours multiple times per week. In reality, excessive gym time is not an option for working people and busy parents. Exercise should not be a chore, and even setting small, attainable goals is a step in the right direction. Exorbitant gym time is not necessary to lose a few pounds.
Juice Cleanses
Swapping a meal with juice is a dangerous way to lose weight. Most juices are packed with sugar and will leave you feeling hungry later on. Fueling your body with whole foods will keep you feeling satisfied and will more likely curb your cravings in comparison to drinking juice as a meal.
Achieving that “Beach Body”
The most common mindset that people have leading into summer is that they must have the perfect beach body. However, what most people fail to realize is that every body is a beach body! Setting unrealistic goals can cause a negative relationship with food and exercise, so do what makes you feel your best.
If you are looking to start a healthier routine, setting small, attainable goals will put you on the right track this summer and beyond. A balanced diet and workout routine will help you reach your goals. Remember, what may work for others may not work for you, so it is important to listen to your body throughout the process and be patient with your results.
Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.