27 'healthy' habits that are actually making you gain weight

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Exercising too much or doing the same workout routine every day can actually do more harm than good in terms of weight loss.
You shouldn’t skip your morning cup of coffee since it can rev up your metabolism and keep you from storing excess fat.
Sleeping more than eight hours a night has been linked to belly fat that can cause heart attacks, diabetes, and strokes.

There was a period of time when people thought smoking tobacco was healthy. Experts also downplayed just how detrimental sugar is to your health, and let’s not forget about the low-fat craze of the ’80s and early ’90s. All of this is to say: Certain once-believed “healthy” habits turned out to be anything but.

Science and research methods are ever evolving, which means weight loss recommendations are constantly being revised. That’s why nutritionists are constantly switching up their diets to stay lean. (More on that here.) To make sure you’re not falling victim to diet-derailing health myths or following antiquated advice, we’ve rounded up bogus “healthy” habits that will only leave you wider and softer than before. See which wacky health tips have fooled you — and then try these 42 Ways to Lose 5 Inches of Belly Fat to get back on track towards achieving your goals.

You replaced sugar with artificial sweeteners

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As evidence continues to stack up against sugar, consumers are looking for ways to have their cake and eat it too — literally. To meet the demand, food makers are churning out sugar-free packaged foods like puddings, cookies, and soda — but don’t get it twisted; these options aren’t going to help you trim down. In fact, they may have the opposite effect on your gut. Many artificial sweeteners cause insulin (our body’s primary fat-storage hormone) to be released in your gut because they’re sweet like sugar.

Plus, when manufacturers take sugar out of products, they often add in bad-for-you fats like palm oil and cream to make up for the taste, They also use sugar alcohols, which can have a laxative effect if eaten in excess. The bottom line: If you’re craving something sweet, skip “sugar-free” options and eat what you’re really craving in moderation. (If you’re diabetic, consult with your doctor for healthy, safe ways to cut down on processed “sugar-free” foods in your diet.) For even more ways to dial back on the sweet stuff and clobber cravings, order your copy of the “Zero Sugar Diet“ today!

You guzzle bottled water

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You know how important it is to stay hydrated, which is why you’re never without a bottle of water by your side. While we commend you for getting your daily dose of H2O, you should seriously consider trading your throwaway bottle for the reusable, BPA-free variety. (We like S’well Bottles. They’re $ 35 on Amazon.com.) Bisphenol A, commonly referred to as BPA, can negatively impact fertility in both men and women and has also been linked to obesity.

Don’t believe it? The science doesn’t lie: A 2011 Harvard study found that adults with the highest concentration of BPA in their urine had significantly larger waists and odds of being obese than those in the lowest quartile. Fill your new BPA-free bottle with these 50 Best Detox Waters for Fat Burning and Weight Loss for a delicious twist on plain H20!

You work out daily

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It’s great that you’re so committed to your workout routine, but if you’re spending all your free time sprinting and lifting you’re not giving your body enough time to recover and rebuild, which can increase your risk of injury and actually hinder your progress, explains Jay Cardiello, a fitness and nutrition expert who has sculpted the bodies of some of the music scene’s biggest superstars, including 50 Cent and J.Lo. To ensure you’re giving your body the downtime it needs to lean out, Cardiello suggests taking one or two days off per week.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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