Many women believe that maintaining a figure simply requires eating less. However, weight is also linked to the quality of one's diet, activity levels, sleep, and numerous daily habits.

Skipping meals to lose weight

According to the Times of India, fasting may reduce overall food intake throughout the day, but it does not always effectively help control weight. After many hours without eating, some individuals become hungrier and tend to eat more at their next meal or reach for sweets and snacks.

Instead of skipping meals, women should maintain regular mealtimes, choose nutrient-rich foods, and adjust portion sizes to suit their energy needs.

Eating little but choosing high-energy foods

Fried foods, pastries, chocolate, nuts, sauces, or sugary drinks provide a lot of energy even in small quantities. This is why some people feel they are eating little, yet their total daily energy intake remains high. When aiming to maintain your figure, you should consider the ingredients as much as the quantity of food.

Milk tea provides a lot of sugar and few essential nutrients. Photo: Van Anh

Consuming many sugary drinks

A glass of milk tea, soda, heavily sweetened coffee, or added-sugar juice might not make you feel full like a meal, but it still adds a lot of energy. If consumed regularly, these energy sources are easily overlooked when calculating daily intake. You should prioritize drinking plain water; for coffee, tea, or other beverages, consider reducing the amount of sugar.

Meals lacking protein and fiber

If meals lack protein and fiber, the feeling of fullness often does not last, making it difficult to control food intake. Fish, eggs, lean meat, dairy, beans, and bean products, which are good sources of protein, should be included in your diet. Vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains help provide fiber, create a feeling of fullness, and contribute to a balanced meal, according to Eating Well.

Focusing only on cardio

Walking, jogging, or cycling are all beneficial for health and help burn energy; however, women aiming to maintain their figure should also pay attention to preserving muscle mass. Appropriate strength training will maintain and develop muscles, while also improving strength and mobility.

Sitting for too long during the day

A 30 to 60-minute workout session is not enough if the rest of the day is spent primarily sitting. Office workers should increase their activity in daily life, such as taking short walks, standing up after prolonged sitting, using stairs, or doing household chores. These activities contribute to increasing overall daily physical activity.

Le Nguyen (Compiled)