The toughest part about cleaning up your diet is getting your body accustomed to it—putting it into a new routine, sticking to it, and learning to love it. Though if you’re also creating road blocks along the way, you’re just making progress more difficult to achieve.
Here are five common mistakes you’ve probably been making for years—and their solutions, so you can start seeing results, fast.
1. You’re eating crap with friends
Solution: If you’re hanging at your place, be more conscious of the snacks you have on hand. Try these 20 healthy options under 200 calories and check out a month’s worth of low-calorie snacks you can take anywhere. If you’re a guest, bring some. Ordering out? Go with anything chicken. It’s got more protein and hopefully not drenched in fatty sauce. Can’t stop? Chew gum, ASAP.
2. You’re eating while browsing the Internet
Solution: There’s a new rule of eating—only do it in the kitchen. Hanging in front of the TV, or the computer will distract you from how much you’re actually eating. Keep food where it belongs—on the kitchen table.
3. You’re eating junk at the office
Solution: Stay on a regular eating schedule and don’t deviate. Bring your own snacks. Here are 7 deskside snacks we suggest. And if you’re eating lunch out at a restaurant, and are easily tempted by everyone else’s selection—set the tone by ordering first.
4. You’re turning a cheat meal into a cheat day
Giving yourself a break from time to time is cool, but a cheat meal is a meal—not a green light to stuff your face all-day long. Get it together, man. To help, check out cheat meal strategies for weight loss and muscle gains.
5. You’re crushing too much food after a workout
Stop thinking that exercise makes you hungrier—it doesn’t. But you should eat a little something beforehand. Try a Greek yogurt and mix in some protein powder for a 150-200 calorie, high-protein snack that’ll keep your hunger hormones in check.