You’re switched on.
You know the basics of healthy eating.
You’re not falling for every fad or crash diet that pops up online.
But despite all that, you’re still not quite where you want to be.
You’re training consistently.
You’re doing your best with food.
But the scale’s stuck, energy dips hit hard, and your body composition isn’t shifting like you hoped.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone.
In fact, many of the people we work with are smart, motivated, and already doing 80% of things right, but a few common nutrition mistakes are quietly holding them back.
Let’s break them down and fix them.
Mistake 1: Eating “Healthy” but Not Eating for Your Goal
You might be eating plenty of nutritious foods, lean meats, veggies, complex carbs, but are you eating in a way that supports fat loss, strength gains, or energy balance?
Healthy doesn’t always mean goal-specific.
You can eat well and still be:
* In a calorie surplus (too much food for fat loss)
* In too steep a deficit (too little food for performance or muscle retention)
* Skipping the nutrients you actually need more of (like protein or fibre)
OC Fix it: Start with the question, “What’s my goal?”
Then ask, “Is my food intake actually aligned with that?”
For fat loss:
* Create a slight calorie deficit
* Prioritise protein at every meal
* Control portion sizes (especially on energy-dense foods like oils, nuts, cheeses)
For energy/performance:
* Fuel around your sessions (carbs pre, protein post)
* Don’t under-eat on training days
* Keep hydration consistent
Mistake 2: Guessing Instead of Tracking (Even Roughly)
Many people rely on “eyeballing” portion sizes, assuming they’re eating less than they are. Over time, these small misjudgements add up, especially when eating out or snacking on the go. Now a caveat to this is, I dont believe tracking all the time is the right option either but, in times of a specific goal, think of it as a tool to bring out and use to get persepctive and education.
OC Fix it: You don’t need to track everything forever, but a short period of tracking your meals in an app (like MyFitnessPal or The OC Method App) can teach you:
* How much you’re really eating
* Where your calories and macros are coming from
* Whether you’re consistently under-eating or over-eating
Even tracking for 5–7 days can give you a powerful snapshot to make better decisions moving forward.
Mistake 3: Overeating “Healthy” Snacks
Almonds, protein bars, hummus, fruit smoothies… they all sound great, and they can be, but they’re still calories.
And when you’re snacking on these things multiple times a day without awareness, you could be adding hundreds of extra calories without feeling full.
OC Fix it:
* Treat snacks the same as meals, planned and purposeful.
* Choose high-volume, lower-calorie snacks if fat loss is the goal (e.g. Greek yoghurt, boiled eggs, berries, rice cakes)
* Limit grazing, eat mindfully, not while distracted or out of habit. No TV helps! Sit at a table!
Mistake 4: Not Planning Around Real Life
It’s easy to eat well when you’re at home, in control of your routine. But when life gets busy, travel, social events, long days at work, smart people can still fall into the trap of winging it.
OC Fix it:
* Plan ahead: pack meals/snacks, look at menus in advance, carry water and protein options
* Use the “damage control” mindset: even if it’s not perfect, make the best choice available
* Don’t skip meals — it often leads to overeating later on
Mistake 5: Being All-Or-Nothing
Perfectionism is sneaky. You might eat perfectly all week, then go “off track” for a day, and convince yourself you’ve ruined it. That single day turns into a weekend, which turns into another start-over on Monday.
OC Fix it:
* Let go of the “perfect plan” mindset
* Focus on consistency over perfection (aim for 90%, not 100%)
* Don’t write off a whole day because of one less-than-ideal meal, just reset at the next one
Progress isn’t lost in one meal. It’s only lost when you stop trying.
My Final Thoughts: Small Hinges, Swing Big Doors
If any of these sound familiar, that’s okay.
These aren’t rookie errors, they’re mistakes smart, capable people make because they’re trying to do everything right without enough clarity.
The good news?
Every single one of these is fixable with simple, practical tweaks.
You don’t need to overhaul your life. You just need a bit more strategy, a bit more self-awareness, and sometimes a coach or a plan to guide you.
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your food and start fuelling your body in a way that works, reach out.
We’ll help you remove the guesswork, get clear on your goal, and support you in building habits that actually stick.
OC and Team P6
Hit the contact button to get in touch!