#2: If you exercise, you can eat whatever you want
Think you can indulge in a super high-in-fat treat after hitting the gym? Once you take a look at these numbers, you’ll see what we’re talking about. In order to “make up” for an order of large fries, you’d need to swim laps for an hour. Perhaps your guilty pleasure is a slice of pepperoni pizza? Let’s hope you jogged for 30 minutes at a medium pace. To keep your weight in check, balance out physical activity with your calorie intake. I should never see you in McDonald’s after a work, and you continuously asking me what I’m doing there won’t change anything either.
#3: You can’t eat late at night
Making the blanket statement that “I can’t eat after 6pm” isn’t always the smartest choice. You may have had a hectic day and not enough time to eat your dinner at 6pm, does that mean you should skip it completely? The blanket statement doesn’t really apply to all people, schedules and lifestyles. If you do find yourself hungry at night, here are a few healthier snack options you may want to consider.
- Carrots
- Grapes
- an Apple
- Water
- a Fruit cup
#4: Wheat and whole wheat bread are the same thing
All “wheat” is not created equal. Look for “100% whole wheat” on the label to make sure you’re getting the healthier parts of the whole grain. You’ll find that wheat bread contains much less fiber than 100% whole wheat bread. So be sure to read the label carefully before buying. A Harvard University study on their graduates showed that men who ate more than 25 grams of fiber a day had more than 33% fewer heart attacks than those who ate below 15 grams a day.
#5: You must drink 8 cups of water each day
Stop worrying about the numbers and listen to your body! Some folks may need more than 8 cups while other may need less. Many forget that foods like fruits and vegetables also contribute to our overall fluid needs. If you are going to drink water make sure its spring water and not Dasani or Seltzer water. These waters are just as bad as pop, and you need to remove them from your diet instantly.
Siddiqu “The Personal Trainer” is a CPT, motivational speaker, author of How Are You Fat and Saved?! He is also the Co-creator of the largest bootcamp in Chicago The No Excuse Bootcamp and the exercise series “You Would Think I Invented Sweat” for booking information or more fitness tips visit our NEW WEBSITE www.chicagofit4life.com