Skip to content
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Lucy Haldon Reveals New Workout For Perfect Abs

Here are her lifestyle habits.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Lucy_Haldon_lucydavis_fit1
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback

Lucy Haldon’s abs are on fire! In a new social media post the swimmer-turned-fitness pro and founder of My Coach app shows off her amazing body while sharing details about her recent workout. “Solid/hard/hot/sweaty 10 days of training & werkkkkkin in the bag 🤝🏼Lots of work to do but you know what is a MUST with any goal?? Actually ENJOYING IT. I feel so many people forget to enjoy the process of actually just doing the thing you set out to do?? I am v v excited to dive into a new training block (boxes of 60km running + 3 additional sessions this week wooooo!!), new business goals going into feb/march which seem scary af atm, new personal goals, all with the overriding thing to enjoy the process!!” she captioned the Instagram post.


Overcoming an Eating Disorder

Lucy, who swam in college, struggled with an eating disorder for years. "When I quit swimming, all I thought about was numbers - how much I ate, how much I weighed and how many gym sessions I could fit in a week,” she told The Sun. "I became obsessed with keeping my weight as low as possible - even though I was already tiny,” she continued. "I'd still see myself in the mirror and think I needed to lose more fat. I'd be working out nine times a week, barely eating in the daytime before binging at night, and obsessively counting my calories.”

Related: Which Pasta is Best for Weight Loss?

Balance

Lucy_Haldon_lucydavis_fit4lucydavis_fit/Instagram

In 2016 she turned things around. "I started to learn it's all about getting the balance - rather than labeling 'good' foods and 'bad' foods,” she said. She now consumes closer to 2,000 calories per day. “I've realized food isn't the enemy and it's ok to eat things you enjoy.”

Daily Workouts

Lucy_Haldon_lucydavis_fit3lucydavis_fit/Instagram

Lucy incorporated daily workouts into her routine. "I also started going to the gym just six times a week, which was a big moment for me,” she said. "I realized you can enjoy exercise instead of using it as a punishment." She said: "Now, I do exercise because I love it and I don't restrict what I eat.”

Related: Meggan Grubb Reveals “Leg Day” Workout

Fasted Workouts

Lucy_Haldon_lucydavis_fit2lucydavis_fit/Instagram

“I don’t practice intermittent fasting, I just don’t eat before a lot of my training sessions. I pretty much just eat straight after. I have different criteria when I’ll eat before a run,” Lucy told My Protein. “If I’ve got a hard moderate-fast run where I think I’ll need a little more energy because I’m exerting so much because I’m going so much faster, I might have like half a bagel. If I’m doing a hard half marathon, I’ll have a full bagel with peanut butter. If I’m doing any run over 25k, I’ll also have a bagel and maybe a banana. That’s kind of just how I do it when I’m doing a training session, I won’t really eat anything. It kind of depends on the session and how I feel. It’s just something that I’ve always done. I need quite a lot of food, it’s just that I’m not hungry in the morning.”

Supplements

vitamins ,omega 3,multivitamins, Supplements, vitamins, probiotics, collagen, pills, tabletsShutterstock

Lucy detailed her supplement stack to My Protein. “The first one is glucosamine HCL, basically joints. Then we have retinol and biotin, that’s for hair, skin, and nails. And then I have iron and folic acid, and 5-HTP. They are the supplements I take with my breakfast. They are my go-tos,” she said.

Related: 5 Essential Ways to Build Muscle From a Nutritionist

Nourishing Food

Healthy,Chia,Seeds,Shutterstock

For breakfast Lucy eats granola, chia seeds, slices of fresh fruit, cinnamon, oat milk, and her favorite biscuit spread. “I absolutely love having a balanced diet. There’s no bad food and good food, it’s just food. Everything in moderation. I enjoy healthy food and feeling good in myself, but I also have a lot of non-nutritionally dense food. You have to find balance to have a positive and strong relationship with food. You have to find a healthy balance,” she says. Lunch might be rice, tuna, cheese, avocado, and soy sauce. For dinner, she might eat the same thing she has for breakfast.

💪🔥Body Booster: If counting calories isn’t working for you, try not to. Sometimes shifting your mental thoughts about food and avoiding obsessive thoughts about it can be a game-changer.

More For You

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Lucy Haldon’s abs are on fire! In a new social media post the swimmer-turned-fitness pro and founder of My Coach app shows off her amazing body while sharing details about her recent workout. “Solid/hard/hot/sweaty 10 days of training & werkkkkkin in the bag 🤝🏼Lots of work to do but you know what is a MUST with any goal?? Actually ENJOYING IT. I feel so many people forget to enjoy the process of actually just doing the thing you set out to do?? I am v v excited to dive into a new training block (boxes of 60km running + 3 additional sessions this week wooooo!!), new business goals going into feb/march which seem scary af atm, new personal goals, all with the overriding thing to enjoy the process!!” she captioned the Instagram post.


Overcoming an Eating Disorder

Lucy, who swam in college, struggled with an eating disorder for years. "When I quit swimming, all I thought about was numbers - how much I ate, how much I weighed and how many gym sessions I could fit in a week,” she told The Sun. "I became obsessed with keeping my weight as low as possible - even though I was already tiny,” she continued. "I'd still see myself in the mirror and think I needed to lose more fat. I'd be working out nine times a week, barely eating in the daytime before binging at night, and obsessively counting my calories.”

Related: Which Pasta is Best for Weight Loss?

Balance

Lucy_Haldon_lucydavis_fit4lucydavis_fit/Instagram

In 2016 she turned things around. "I started to learn it's all about getting the balance - rather than labeling 'good' foods and 'bad' foods,” she said. She now consumes closer to 2,000 calories per day. “I've realized food isn't the enemy and it's ok to eat things you enjoy.”

Daily Workouts

Lucy_Haldon_lucydavis_fit3lucydavis_fit/Instagram

Lucy incorporated daily workouts into her routine. "I also started going to the gym just six times a week, which was a big moment for me,” she said. "I realized you can enjoy exercise instead of using it as a punishment." She said: "Now, I do exercise because I love it and I don't restrict what I eat.”

Related: Meggan Grubb Reveals “Leg Day” Workout

Fasted Workouts

Lucy_Haldon_lucydavis_fit2lucydavis_fit/Instagram

“I don’t practice intermittent fasting, I just don’t eat before a lot of my training sessions. I pretty much just eat straight after. I have different criteria when I’ll eat before a run,” Lucy told My Protein. “If I’ve got a hard moderate-fast run where I think I’ll need a little more energy because I’m exerting so much because I’m going so much faster, I might have like half a bagel. If I’m doing a hard half marathon, I’ll have a full bagel with peanut butter. If I’m doing any run over 25k, I’ll also have a bagel and maybe a banana. That’s kind of just how I do it when I’m doing a training session, I won’t really eat anything. It kind of depends on the session and how I feel. It’s just something that I’ve always done. I need quite a lot of food, it’s just that I’m not hungry in the morning.”

Supplements

vitamins ,omega 3,multivitamins, Supplements, vitamins, probiotics, collagen, pills, tabletsShutterstock

Lucy detailed her supplement stack to My Protein. “The first one is glucosamine HCL, basically joints. Then we have retinol and biotin, that’s for hair, skin, and nails. And then I have iron and folic acid, and 5-HTP. They are the supplements I take with my breakfast. They are my go-tos,” she said.

Related: 5 Essential Ways to Build Muscle From a Nutritionist

Nourishing Food

Healthy,Chia,Seeds,Shutterstock

For breakfast Lucy eats granola, chia seeds, slices of fresh fruit, cinnamon, oat milk, and her favorite biscuit spread. “I absolutely love having a balanced diet. There’s no bad food and good food, it’s just food. Everything in moderation. I enjoy healthy food and feeling good in myself, but I also have a lot of non-nutritionally dense food. You have to find balance to have a positive and strong relationship with food. You have to find a healthy balance,” she says. Lunch might be rice, tuna, cheese, avocado, and soy sauce. For dinner, she might eat the same thing she has for breakfast.

💪🔥Body Booster: If counting calories isn’t working for you, try not to. Sometimes shifting your mental thoughts about food and avoiding obsessive thoughts about it can be a game-changer.

Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want a six-pack but feel like you are too old? According to one expert, you can achieve a perfect midsection at any age. Adelina Jordan is a 52-year-old fitness trainer and coach whose mission is “proving age is just a number,” according to her Instagram bio. In a new post, she reveals the handful of exercises that are responsible for her six-pack abs and the healthy habits that enable her to achieve them. “Six-pack abs in your fifties? Totally possible with the right plan. Here’s what worked for me,” she writes in the post.


She Trains Abs 2 to 3 Times a Week

“I train Abs like any other muscle,” she writes. She reveals that she reserves two to three days a week to do ab work. “Remember … it takes consistency with workouts and nutrition and lots of time & patience,” she writes.

RELATED: Top Coach Reveals 3 Best Back Exercises You Can Do at Home

Here Are the Exercises She Does

“Here is an example of the workout I do to maintain my 6-pack abs in my 50s,” she continues, revealing the five exercise sets.

  • SL crunches
  • weighted sit-ups
  • Russian twist
  • weighted toe taps
  • double crunch.

She Also Pays Attention to Her Diet

She then goes on to discuss key tips to remember for 6-pack abs, starting with diet. “Dial in your nutrition,” she writes. “Protein-packed meals, a slight calorie deficit, and staying consistent.” According to clinical trials, consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW) but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets.

RELATED: Woman Lost 11 Pounds in 90 Days With These 5 Simple Rules

And, She Lifts Weights

Next, she recommends weight lifting. “Strength training is a must,” she says. “Focus on compound lifts that engage your core and help burn fat.” According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:

  • Develop strong bones
  • Manage your weight
  • Enhance your quality of life
  • Manage chronic conditions
  • Sharpen your thinking skills.

She Uses Resistance

Another important tactic? “Train your abs with resistance,” she suggests, “Adding light weights, cables, or bands takes your core training to the next level—think strength and definition.”

She Does Cardio

Don’t forget to do cardio. “Steady-state cardio after lifting works wonders for revealing your hard-earned progress,” she says.

RELATED: She Lost 15 Pounds in Her 40s After Fixing These 3 Mistakes

And, She Is Patient

Lastly, six-pack abs don't happen overnight. “Patience is key: Progress takes time, but trust me—it’s worth it! If I can do it, so can you. Let’s make it happen!” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss these 3 Simple Stretches Made This Coach More Flexible in 2 Weeks.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Expert-Recommended

We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

Lisa Jean Lanceford is a fitness trainer and influencer with over 3.7 million followers on Instagram. She regularly shares her workouts on social media and via the STRNG app. In one of her recent Instagram posts, she shared the exercises that are responsible for her 6-pack abs. “Sheeeeesh this one burns 🔥 Let’s get this ABS workout done,” she wrote in the captioned. Here is everything you need to know about her workout plus the other lifestyle habits that help keep her in shape.


Here Is Her Ab Workout

In the video, she demonstrates the following exercises:

  • Kneeling cable crunch

    10-12 reps, 3-4 sets

  • Roman chair oblique knee raises

    12-16 reps, 3-4 sets

  • Alternating knee tuck double crunch

    12-16 reps, 3-4 sets

  • Cross crawls

    20-24 reps, 3-4 sets

  • Low to high cable woodchips

    10-12 reps, 3-4 sets each side

Intuitive Eating

Lisa promotes “intuitive eating,” explaining the principles in an Instagram post.

“Your relationship with food plays a key role in your overall fitness journey. Whilst it’s good to have a sufficient understanding of your diet and nutrition, striving for the ‘perfect’ diet may lead to controlling or disordered eating habits. If you have eaten a cheeseburger, you do not have to feel guilty, skip your next meal or ‘burn it off.’ Instead, focus on the positives. You received a great source of iron, protein, carbs, calcium and you probably rather enjoyed it. You do not need to use exercise to negate eating but rather consume food for enjoyment, nourishment and to fuel workouts and recovery,” she says.

Related: 10 High Fiber Foods to Keep You Full in a Day, According to Dietitian

Here Is How She “Builds” Healthy Meals

Lisa_Jean_Lanceford2lisafiitt/Instagram

In another post, she explains “how to build a healthy and balanced meal,” starting with a “good quality protein sources such as lean meat, a soya-based product such as tofu or tempeh, dairy or lentils, beans and edamame beans,” she says. Next up, starchy carbohydrates, which “should make up just over a 1/3 of the food you eat,” she explains.

“They are essential for energy and nutrients, therefore you should aim to include some at every meal. Low GI carbohydrates slowly release energy and are higher in fibre which means they will keep you fuller for longer. Some low GI options include potatoes with skin on, brown rice, wholemeal bread, wholemeal pasta, oats, and buckwheat.”

Then, fill your plate “with a rainbow of non- starchy vegetables and dark leafy greens. Examples include broccoli, spinach, kale, peppers, cucumber, courgette, onion, aubergine, cauliflower, mushrooms, tomatoes and so on. Also be sure to include some fruit throughout the day as snacks or added to breakfast, etc,” she adds. Finally, “Pick a small amount of healthy fats such as avocado, nuts, extra virgin olive oil, and seeds.”

No Diets

Lisa_Jean_Lanceford1lisafiitt/Instagram

Lisa doesn’t like to label her eating plan. “I don’t like to call it a diet as it’s my lifestyle and not a diet. My nutrition has stayed the same, except some days I am increasing my calories as I am working out more, so I need to make sure I am fuelling my body right. I am doing LIVE Instagram workouts with my followers and challenging myself with new HIIT workouts alongside weight training (working with what I have) and my morning walks,” she told Women Fitness.

Related: I Lost 30 Pounds and Here’s Everything I Learned Along My Journey

Walking in the Morning

Beautiful woman traveler climbs uphill with a dog on a background of mountain views. She is with a backpack and in red clothes.Shutterstock

While she spends a lot of time in the gym, Lisa starts her day with steps. “I do a 1 hour walk every morning. It helps with my mindset for the day and I think about everything I am grateful for. It’s so calm, quiet and peaceful and it gets my mind going for the day. Always practice gratitude and always appreciate the little things in life,” she added to Women Fitness.

💪🔥Body Booster: Contrary to popular belief, crunches, and sit-ups aren’t the best exercises to build abs. Try doing a set like Lisa’s, which works all the muscles in your midsection, including obliques, and will get you the best results. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Expert-Recommended

We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

Looking to transform your core and achieve rock-hard abs in just 60 days? It’s entirely possible with the right plan and mindset. Fitness expert Jeff Nippard, a Canadian natural pro bodybuilder and powerlifter, combines his biochemistry background with a passion for evidence-based training to offer a proven strategy. His approach emphasizes not only effective ab exercises but also the critical role of nutrition and overall lifestyle changes. By focusing on progressive overload training, maintaining a clean diet, staying hydrated, and incorporating some cardio, you can build a strong, visible six-pack. Stick to the plan, stay consistent, and watch your abs become more defined with every workout—and also enjoy insights from Sharon Stewart, AFAA, and NASM to help you get those coveted abs in just 60 days.


Fat vs. Abs

Nippard explains in his popular video the relationship between body fat percentage and ab visibility: "At 30% [body fat], your stomach is much flatter, but you still don't have visible abs. Once you get to 20%, that's where your abs become visible, and at 10% body fat, you'll have a well-defined six-pack."

He adds, "This zone is the six-pack sweet spot where most men want to be between 10 and 20% body fat. This is where you'll have visible abs but not suffer from the nasty side effects of extreme dieting."

Progressive Overload Is a Must

Contrary to what most people think, Nippard in his video underlines the importance of training abs directly: "To get your six-pack to really pop, you'd be much better off doing progressive overload training just like you would for any other muscle. That means loading the ab muscles with weight."

RELATED:10 Anti-Aging Foods for Younger-Looking Skin You Should Eat Every Day

Try Two-Exercise Ab Workout

Nippard, in his video, recommends focusing on just two exercises for optimal ab development:

  1. Weighted Crunch: "Do these for three sets of 10 to 12 reps twice per week, taking your last set all the way to failure."
  2. Leg Raises: "Do these for three sets of 10 to 20, also twice per week, and also take your last set all the way to failure."

Nutrition is Key

Sharon Stewart, a certified personal trainer, highlights the importance of nutrition for getting visible abs: “Nutrition is 90% of a flat belly. I see people doing hundreds of sit-ups, and I ask them, what are you doing? While exercise is important, it’s what you eat that makes a big difference in your body.”

Stewart suggests eating clean: “Think of your body like a car. The quality of fuel you use affects how well it runs. If you eat poor-quality food, it doesn’t matter how much you exercise; your body won’t be at its best.”

How to Eat For Visible Abs

Nippard agrees, in his video, the importance of nutrition: "You can do the most optimal progressive AB training on the planet, and until you get lean enough, your AB simply won't be visible and that's where your nutrition comes in."

He provides a simple formula for calorie intake: "Take your current body weight in pounds and multiply it by 10 to 12. That's how many calories you'll eat."

RELATED:7 Realistic Tricks to Lose Arm Fat That Fitness Coach Swears By

Hydration and Intermittent Fasting

Stewart also highlights the importance of hydration and suggests intermittent fasting as a potential strategy: "One of the key factors in achieving a flat stomach is hydration, particularly drinking plenty of water. Hydrating adequately with water, sometimes infused with lemon for added benefits, is essential."

She shares her personal experience: "I changed my eating habits, deciding not to eat until I had completed my activities for the day. Then, I would break my intermittent fast around two o'clock with a protein-rich meal to help burn fat."

Don’t Forget About Cardio

While not essential for fat loss, Nippard, in his video, notes the benefits of including cardio: "Research shows that combining weight training and cardio leads to smaller wastes than just weight training alone. Being more active with cardio will also allow you to eat more calories and more active people tend to be more successful in keeping the weight off over the long term."

RELATED:5 Tips to Beat Menopausal Stomach Fat That Actually Work, by Experts

How to Get Visible Abs in 60 Days

To get visible abs in 60 days, you need to combine ab exercises, good nutrition, and healthy lifestyle changes. Follow these tips from experts Jeff Nippard and Sharon Stewart:

  1. Targeted Ab Training: Do exercises that focus on your abs.
  2. Proper Nutrition: Eat clean and healthy foods.
  3. Lifestyle Changes: Stay active and reduce stress.

Consistency is key. Results may vary, but if you stay committed, you'll see great improvements in your core strength and appearance. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Having children and getting older is no excuse when it comes to fitness. Becky Greenan, a 37-year-old mother of two, is living, breathing proof that you can get into the best shape of your life after having kids. The fitness trainer and influencer has built up a following of nearly one million on Instagram, sharing effective, at-home workouts.


This week she dropped a new one that will change your body. “Upper & Core that will hit every muscle in your upper body with just 5 exercises,” she writes in the caption. Find out how to do the workout and see her amazing 10-year transformation on The Body Network.

Here Is the Workout

“I’m holding 10lbs and 5lbs,” she notes, suggesting 12 reps per exercise and 3 to 4 total sets.

  1. Lean backs with front raise
  2. Skull crusher with alt. leg raise
  3. Alt. curl into press
  4. Kneeling lateral raises
  5. Push up into superman

Her 10-year Transformation Is Shocking

Becky also shared a shocking transformation photo on Instagram this week, “ 27 years old vs 37 years old with 2 kids,” she wrote in the caption. “My transformation didn’t take me 10 years to see results. But my progress hasn’t been linear either - especially with 2 pregnancies.

Related: I Lost 75 Pounds While Jumping Rope and Push Ups

Be Consistent, She Says

Becky_Greenan_built_by_becky4built.by.becky/Instagram

What is one of the secrets behind her transformation? “One thing I’ve always been is CONSISTENT. I’ve always kept going and I’ve never given up on myself,” she says.

For Building Muscle, Lift Weights, Not Cardio

Becky_Greenan_built_by_becky3built.by.becky/Instagram

“If you want to change your body composition by getting lean and adding curves - LIFT WEIGHTS. If you want to build confidence - LIFT WEIGHTS. Cardio isn’t going to give you the shape you’re looking for,” she points out.

Her Workouts Can Be Done with Resistance Bands and Dumbbells

Becky_Greenan_built_by_becky6built.by.becky/Instagram

She adds that the majority of workouts on her fitness app only require resistance bands and dumbbells, and can be done at home. “YES it can be done and it’s what I’ve been doing for years,” she concludes.

Related: 15 Proven Ways to Sculpt Your Dream Body by An Expert Coach

Here Is What She Eats in a Day

Becky_Greenan_built_by_becky7built.by.becky/Instagram

As for diet, Becky consumes “2000ish calories and 120ish protein,” per day. “Full day of meals on a rest day for this 37 year old mama of 2. Each meal contains carbs, protein and fats. I did an estimate of my calories and protein intake for you all. I usually eat more on lifting days because I’m hungrier,” she writes in a post.

  1. 2 eggs, 2 egg whites and feta toast with butter

    400 calories / 25 protein

  2. Apple with peanut butter, protein shake

    450 calories / 35 protein

  3. Chicken thigh and leg, sweet potato and broccoli

    450 calories / 45 protein

  4. Bun with turkey, and orange

    350 calories / 15 grams protein

  5. Cucumber salad and cookies

    400 calories

💪🔥Body Booster: For a successful transformation, be consistent. Never give up on yourself and keep going.

Michelle Roots Fitness & Nutrition Coach
7 Realistic Tricks to Lose Arm Fat That Fitness Coach Swears By
Copyright Michelle Roots/YouTube
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you making these common protein mistakes? Fix them now for better results. You've done your research. You're eating more protein to support your weight loss journey. But despite your efforts, the scale isn't budging as much as you'd hoped. What gives? Meet Michelle Roots, a kinesiologist, personal trainer, and nutrition coach with over 18 years of experience helping people transform their bodies. "I've seen countless clients make the same protein mistakes that sabotage their fat loss results," Michelle explains. Discover these common pitfalls and learn how to avoid them to finally achieve the results you deserve.

1. Overlooking Total Calorie Intake

When people start tracking macros, they often become laser-focused on protein intake while neglecting their overall calories. "As important as protein is, if you're consistently eating in a calorie surplus, even just a few days per week, you'll still store body fat and see limited fat loss results," Michelle warns in her post.

The Fix: Prioritize protein but track your total calorie intake as well. Even "healthy" protein shakes with multiple ingredients like fruits, seeds, yogurt, and milk can quickly become 500-calorie bombs that derail your deficit.

2. Relying Too Heavily on Supplements

It's easy to reach for protein powders and bars when you're busy, but this approach has drawbacks. "Many people overuse supplements to hit their daily protein goal without focusing on whole foods that provide additional nutrients and greater satiety," Michelle points out.

The Fix: Limit yourself to 1-2 scoops of protein powder or supplements daily, getting the rest from whole food sources like chicken, fish, tofu, salmon, and Greek yogurt. "Meal prep is your best friend here," Michelle suggests. "I cook protein in batches at the beginning of the week so it's ready to add to quick meals instead of reaching for another shake."

3. Ignoring Protein Timing

Trying to consume all your protein in just one or two meals is a common mistake. "I often see people eat minimal protein at breakfast and lunch, then realize they need to consume 90 grams at dinner to meet their daily goal—which usually results in failure," Michelle says.

The Fix: Spread your protein intake throughout the day. For example, if your daily goal is 120 grams, aim for 30 grams at each main meal and divide the rest between snacks. This approach supports muscle protein synthesis, keeps you feeling full, and reduces cravings between meals.

4. Neglecting Variety in Protein Sources

Relying on just chicken, eggs, and protein powder creates two problems: nutrient imbalances and boredom. "It's going to feel more like a diet, and you're going to fall off track because it's not realistic long-term," Michelle explains.

The Fix: Rotate between different protein sources including lean ground beef, turkey, chicken, fish, and plant-based options like lentils and edamame. Don't hesitate to combine protein sources in a single meal—add beans to your chicken salad or edamame to your stir-fry to boost the protein content while adding fiber and nutrients.

5. Not Balancing All Macros

Focusing exclusively on protein while neglecting carbs and fats leads to low energy, poor recovery, and fewer nutrients overall. "If you're strictly focused on protein, you're often missing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which affects your digestion and satiety," Michelle cautions.

The Fix: Calculate appropriate amounts of all three macronutrients based on your goals. Pair your protein with quinoa, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats like avocado. "This balanced approach will improve your energy levels, workout performance, recovery, and digestion," Michelle recommends.

Implement these fixes to your high-protein diet, and you'll be well on your way to breaking through plateaus and achieving the fat loss results you've been working toward.

1. Overlooking Total Calorie Intake

When people start tracking macros, they often become laser-focused on protein intake while neglecting their overall calories. "As important as protein is, if you're consistently eating in a calorie surplus, even just a few days per week, you'll still store body fat and see limited fat loss results," Michelle warns in her post.

The Fix: Prioritize protein but track your total calorie intake as well. Even "healthy" protein shakes with multiple ingredients like fruits, seeds, yogurt, and milk can quickly become 500-calorie bombs that derail your deficit.

2. Relying Too Heavily on Supplements

It's easy to reach for protein powders and bars when you're busy, but this approach has drawbacks. "Many people overuse supplements to hit their daily protein goal without focusing on whole foods that provide additional nutrients and greater satiety," Michelle points out.

The Fix: Limit yourself to 1-2 scoops of protein powder or supplements daily, getting the rest from whole food sources like chicken, fish, tofu, salmon, and Greek yogurt. "Meal prep is your best friend here," Michelle suggests. "I cook protein in batches at the beginning of the week so it's ready to add to quick meals instead of reaching for another shake."

3. Ignoring Protein Timing

Trying to consume all your protein in just one or two meals is a common mistake. "I often see people eat minimal protein at breakfast and lunch, then realize they need to consume 90 grams at dinner to meet their daily goal—which usually results in failure," Michelle says.

The Fix: Spread your protein intake throughout the day. For example, if your daily goal is 120 grams, aim for 30 grams at each main meal and divide the rest between snacks. This approach supports muscle protein synthesis, keeps you feeling full, and reduces cravings between meals.

4. Neglecting Variety in Protein Sources

Relying on just chicken, eggs, and protein powder creates two problems: nutrient imbalances and boredom. "It's going to feel more like a diet, and you're going to fall off track because it's not realistic long-term," Michelle explains.

The Fix: Rotate between different protein sources including lean ground beef, turkey, chicken, fish, and plant-based options like lentils and edamame. Don't hesitate to combine protein sources in a single meal—add beans to your chicken salad or edamame to your stir-fry to boost the protein content while adding fiber and nutrients.

5. Not Balancing All Macros

Focusing exclusively on protein while neglecting carbs and fats leads to low energy, poor recovery, and fewer nutrients overall. "If you're strictly focused on protein, you're often missing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which affects your digestion and satiety," Michelle cautions.

The Fix: Calculate appropriate amounts of all three macronutrients based on your goals. Pair your protein with quinoa, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats like avocado. "This balanced approach will improve your energy levels, workout performance, recovery, and digestion," Michelle recommends.

Implement these fixes to your high-protein diet, and you'll be well on your way to breaking through plateaus and achieving the fat loss results you've been working toward.

Rosi May rosimayfitness
Copyright rosimayfitness/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you trying to lose weight? You could be making some simple mistakes that are keeping you from achieving your desired results. Rosi May is a fat loss coach who helps “women reach their fat loss goals without restriction,” she writes in her social media bio. In a new post, she discusses her weight loss experience, revealing some things she did along the way that she wishes she hadn’t. “4 mistakes I’ve made on my own journey so you don’t have to,” she writes.

Only Measuring Success with the Scale

The first mistake she made was “using the scales as my only tool of measurement,” she says. “The scales can be useful ONLY when used in conjunction with other things. And even more so for women. Your weight will fluctuate even when you tick every single box. Track as many different metrics as you can so you get a better understanding of what progress you’re making.”

RELATED:10 Foods to Avoid If You're Trying to Burn Fat, Says Expert

Resorting to Fad/Extreme Diet

The second mistake? “Resorting to fad/extreme diets because it was the latest thing. Fad diets never work long term (ask any millennial woman). Unless the goal is messing up your relationship with food. In that case, it’s a great option,” she writes.

Setting Unrealistic Time Frames to Reach Goals

The third mistake she made was “setting unrealistic time frames to reach my goals, and then feeling like a failure when I hadn’t achieve it in 4 weeks,” she says. “It’s not a race. And you definitely won’t be at your goal in 4 weeks. Giving yourself weeks to achieve a goal that realistically could take years is a recipe for failure. Be realistic.”

Giving Up After a Bad Day

Mistake four? “Throwing the towel in every time I had a ‘bad’ day. I would have seen results much quicker if I didn’t give up every time something didn’t go to plan. You will have bad days and days where your nutrition isn’t great or you miss a workout. Everyone does. But you have to get over it and move on. The only way you don’t make progress towards your goals is if you give up,” she says.

And, Here Are the Biggest Tracking Mistakes You Are Making

In another post, she reveals three reasons why you aren’t losing weight despite tracking everything. The first? “You’re tracking at the end of the day. This is pretty much pointless if you want any sort of accuracy. It’s almost impossible to remember exactly how much you’ve had and things easily get forgotten. Doing this will usually result in under reporting your nutrition. Do it as you go to make sure nothing is forgotten,” she says.

There Are Hidden Calories

Hidden calories are the second reason. “Things like oils, sauces, condiments etc might not seem like they’ll make much difference because you only used a ‘splash’. But those little bits here and there actually add a good chunk of calories onto your day without you realising. Using those things is fine, just make sure you track them,” she says.

RELATED:17 Pre-Meal Foods That Burn Fat Like Ozempic, According to an Expert

Not Tracking Snack

Not tracking your snacks is the third mistake. “The world would be a wonderful place if snacks didn’t contain calories, but unfortunately they do. That cheeky biscuit with your brew, that handful of nuts whilst you’re cooking- it all adds up. If you eat it, track it,” she says.

People Aren’t Honest with Themselves When It Comes to Tracking

“The biggest reason people find that tracking nutrition doesn’t work for them, is simply because they’re not honest with themselves about what they’re eating,” she writes. “Whether it’s underestimating serving sizes or thinking the little things don’t count. The only person you’re cheating out of results when you do that, is YOU. Tracking your nutrition is a fantastic tool (for the right person) but it only works if you actually track accurately.” And if you enjoyed this article, don't missthese 8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat.

Justin Gichaba justin_gichaba
Copyright justin_gichaba/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you taking all the proper steps to get rid of belly fat, but it doesn’t seem to go anywhere? You could be doing more harm than good. Justin Gichaba is a nutrition coach who helps “busy professionals lose 10lb+ fat & gain muscle,” he writes on his Instagram bio. In a new post, he reveals some habits that he thought were helping him blast belly fat when they were doing the opposite. “5 innocent habits that I never realized made me GAIN belly fat, when I was trying to lose belly fat,” he writes.

Sacrificing Sleep to Exercise

Sacrificing sleep to work out is the first no-no. “Chances are it is making it worse. Not getting enough sleep can lead to increased levels of cortisol, a hormone that is associated with belly fat and make it hard to lose fat when in excess. Also, you will decrease your energy throughout the day making it hard to move and burn calories. Make sure to sleep 7-8 hours a night for optimal fat loss,” he says.

Skipping Meals

Young woman looking into the fridge, feeling hungry at night​Unusual Cravings and HungerShutterstock

Skipping meals is another counterproductive habit. “Skipping meals made me binge eat WAY more. I thought by skipping a meal I would eat less calories, but I ended up eating more in the few meals I had to compensate,” he says. “I also was much less adherent to the diet. All in all, it lead to me not losing fat and an impossible diet to stick too for me.”

RELATED:8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat

Restricting Food Groups

White,Bread,Is,Bread,Made,From,Wheat,Flour.,Soft,BreadShutterstock

Restricting food groups is not a good idea. “At one point in time, I thought a lot of different carbs were bad. I stayed away from bread, oatmeal, and everything else the carnivore and keto people tell you to never eat,” he explains. “This just made my diet much easier to stick with, leading me to randomly binge eat and end up losing no weight at all. Soon after, I learned that most carbs that are not ultra-processed are just fine for most people and ate more carbs again. When I could include the foods I loved, I then started to lose weight.”

Skipping Dessert

Sweet temptation. Eating delicious creamy dessert.Shutterstock

Don’t skip dessert. “I will NEVER skip dessert again. Dessert is something I was far too accustomed to, so skipping it would give me crazy cravings making it hard to stick with my diet,” he writes. “Once I allowed myself to eat the occasional ice cream or other sweets, it made it much easier to stick with my diet. I also started making yogurt parfaits every night which were extremely healthy but still satisfied my sweet tooth with the dark chocolate.”

Cutting Too Many Calories

CALORIE counting counter application Medical eating healthy Diet conceptShutterstock

The final mistake is cutting too many calories. “Cutting close to 1,000 calories was a terrible idea. It made me extremely sluggish, move less, and didn’t speed up my weight loss,” he writes. “Instead, you should try cutting only 300-500 calories at a time. This is much more sustainable in the short and long-term as it combats extreme hunger and the possibility of your metabolism adapting and slowing down.” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.