Wondering why you can’t seem to shed those few pounds even though you’ve been exercising regularly? These factors might be the problem.

in2it.sg is here again with more tips for you to keep fit, especially when it comes to your annual ICT!

	1.	Lack of Sleep
	Remember, sleep repairs your body. If you still feel sore from your gym session the day before, it’s perfectly normal. However, soreness for more than a few days may indicate a lack of sleep. Get at least 7 to 8 hours of rest every day for maximum performance!
	2.	Not eating breakfast
	Eating breakfast increases your energy and stabilizes your mood for the day. Not only that- did you know that 64 percent of overweight people don’t eat breakfast? You’re more likely to grab a bag of chips before your lunch hour, and we all know where that’s going. Also, having a balanced breakfast increases your metabolic rate by 5-10 percent!
	3.	Sweet drinks
	Calorie intake is as important in drinks as it is in food. In fact, a glass of iced lemon tea contains more than a hundred calories! I heard once that a friend of a friend drank nothing but plain water for two months and lost more than 7 kg. Are you starting to wonder how many calories are in your liquid diet today? I know I am.
	4.	Snack more often
	No, it’s not a typo error! Physicians encourage us to snack lightly (and healthily, of course) between meals so that our metabolic rate doesn’t slow down. Of course, one reason is also so that we don’t over indulge at mealtimes. So don’t hate yourself for reaching for that can of nuts- your body might just need it!
	5.	Alcohol
	Homer Simpson once said that alcohol is the cause and solution to all problems. He has a point. An occasional glass of wine has been proven to increase blood circulation. However- there are 146 calories in one can of beer alone. Now, think about how many you had last night. And we’ve all heard about how a Pina Colada has more calories than a Big Mac. Thus, pay attention to what you down when out with your friends- and you might just find the source of that tummy.
	6.	When in doubt, rehydrate
	Sometimes you may feel like you’re craving a snack, but in actual fact, you’re just thirsty. Two 8-ounce glasses of water are recommended before every meal to prevent mistaking thirst for hunger. Besides, good old H2O flushes out all your toxins, too. What’s not to like? Drink up!
	7.	Healthy ≠ Low Calorie
	Some foods, like avocadoes, have more calories than they look. Although they contain lots of healthy fats, it’s easy to mistake healthy foods for low calorie foods. A handful of baked almonds is healthy- not a whole can.
	8.	Underestimating Calorie Intake
	So you think that because you jogged for 30 minutes, you can pile on the snacks? Think again before rewarding yourself. After just a few cookies, you’ve already ingested more calories than you just burned off. Control your portions, and remember to drink lots of water!
	9.	Skipping meals
	Not only does a skipped meal mean you’ll be ravenous later, it also leads your body to go into panic mode. This causes excessive storing of fat, because your body won’t know when it’ll get its next meal. To avoid this, eat five small meals spaced evenly throughout the day rather than three humongous meals. Your body will thank you for it.
	10.	Eat your vegetables!
	Vegetables and fruits are full of fibre! And fibre keeps you full longer so you won’t be so tempted to grab supper at all hours of the morning. According to some research, it takes as many calories to burn the consumed vegetables as contained in the vegetables themselves... How great is that? It’s practically zero-calorie! Besides, greens contain carbohydrates that provide energy!

So next time you think about getting another pint or a glass of coke, think again and watch the fats melt away!

Article by Sarah Ko