When it comes to health and weight loss, we all have limited mental and physical energy to invest. With so many other demands in life, it’s frustrating to see women working so hard—only to focus on the wrong things. The truth is, not everything we’ve been told about getting healthier or losing weight is actually worth our time.
I want you to channel your energy into what truly matters for long-term health and fat loss success. That’s why today, we’re cutting through the noise and calling out five things that are totally overrated.
Here’s what you can stop worrying about right now:
Meal timing. There is no perfect time to eat. That being said, there are a few nuances that are worth mentioning when it comes to meal timing…
For example, I wouldn’t recommend working out fasted (even a small carby snack pre-workout can be helpful!) and I’d encourage consuming carbs and protein within 2 hours post-workout.
If you struggle with overeating at night, I’d recommend eating more earlier in the day. But outside of those specific circumstances, the only thing you need to do is to eat when you’re hungry and when it works best with your schedule. Don’t overthink it.
Supplements. 99% of supplements are overhyped and overpriced. Save your $$$ and invest it instead on a quality workout program and/or healthy groceries. Because unless your diet is dialed in, you’re going to gain more from eating nutritious food consistently than any supplement can give you.
One caveat here - while protein powder is, technically, a supplement, it can be a very easy, convenient, and cost-effective way to ensure you’re getting a sufficient amount of protein.
Eating “clean”. This is a made-up term with zero regulation. Instead of aiming to eat “clean”, focus on eating mostly whole foods (fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, lean proteins, dairy products). There’s no need to fear processed or fun foods, especially when it comprises a small amount of your overall diet. Dose makes the poison, meaning that unless you over consume processed foods, it’s perfectly safe to include them in moderation.
Finding your “perfect” macro split. I’ve seen people put wayyyyy too much emphasis on hitting the “perfect” macro split (which doesn’t exist) or obsessing over a 5-10 gram difference in carbohydrates. When it comes to health and weight loss, focusing on consuming an adequate amount of protein and fiber, and making sure your total calorie intake is aligned with your goals is sufficient - this holds true for any and all health or body composition goals.
How many calories you burn during a workout. A suuuuper annoying fact? You’re most likely burning fewer calories than your smart watch is telling you. The primary focus of movement shouldn’t be simply to burn calories (think of it as an added bonus). Instead, think about how moving makes you feel, not to mention the numerous health benefits.
Rather than getting overwhelmed with these overrated nutrition topics, your primary focus should be mastering the consistency (not perfection) of your foundational health habits. This can take months to years depending on where you’re starting. Once you feel truly confident with your consistent execution of your daily habits and IF want to take things to the next level (although it’s not necessary), then you can dive into these deeper nutrition issues. Just don’t skip the important things to get to the trendy ones that have a negligible impact at best.
Coach Lauren