The subject of weight loss is attended by an overwhelming amount of misinformation. Many of the myths originate from fad diets, which offer simple solutions to a complex problem. Keep reading to uncover some common myths debunked.
1. Low-carb, high-protein diets are ideal for losing weight.
Carbohydrates don't make you fat, I fell for that one too-eating excess calories does. Instead of cutting out entire food groups, focus on choosing healthier foods, like whole grain bread, pasta, and rice. The key to successful weight loss is simple; calories in-calories out.
2. Late-night eating will pack on the pounds.
When you eat doesn't matter as much as what you eat. Whether you're snacking in the morning or the middle of the night, your body turns excess calories into fat. Simply focus on burning more calories than you take in on any given day.
3. Drinking cold water will help you burn more calories.
This was something I was told by my P.E teacher in junior high. The extra calories burned by drinking ice-cold water won't help you shed more pounds. It's true that drinking water is a key part of any healthy lifestyle-but increasing your intake of water doesn't have a significant effect on weight loss.
4. You should cut out all your favorite foods.
If you remove your favorite foods from your diet, you'll be more likely to cave into the inevitable cravings. Instead of risking a diet-crashing binge, treat yourself occasionally to the foods you love. A healthy diet is about moderation, not deprivation.
5. The more calories you cut, the faster you'll lose weight.
If you reduce your caloric intake too fast, you actually send your body into starvation mode. When pushed to this extreme, your body will do everything it can to lower your metabolism and retain more fat. Your best bet is to find out the maximum amount of calories you can consume to lose the desired weight and then reduce them gradually until you reach that amount. This will give your body time to adjust to changes in your food intake so that it does not try to store extra fat.
6. Fatty and starchy foods are bad for you.
It's true that fatty and starchy foods, when eaten in excess, are a major cause of weight gain. At the same time, fats and starches are the most satisfying and palatable foods, so if you include them in your diet, you'll be less likely to overeat.
7. Spot-training will result in a spot reduction of fat.
I wish! No exercise regimen will remove fat from a specific part of your body. Your body makes the decisions on where fat goes and where it leaves. If you keep up your cardio routine, you can tone certain parts of your body as long as you incorporate a good weight training program.
8. If you exercise more, you DON'T need to watch your diet.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to choose between exercise and dieting. Eating a healthy diet and exercising several times a week is essential to your well-being. It's very easy to get caught up in the mind trap that tells you that you can eat like a sumo wrestler because you'll work it off in the morning. Don't believe it. If you fail to control your eating, you'll never experience the body you've always dreamed about.
9. Eating negative calorie foods will speed up weight loss.
The idea behind negative calorie foods is that they take more calories to digest than they provide. That's simply not true. While fiber is a zero-calorie food source, it doesn't mean your celery is shedding any pounds for you.
10. You shouldn't snack between meals.
On the contrary, eating small, healthy snacks between meals will keep your blood sugar up and stabilize your metabolism. You will also be less tempted to overeat at your next meal.
As you begin your weight loss journey, keep in mind that there is no secret or shortcut. The only way to start shedding pounds and keep them off is to make long-term lifestyle changes-and that's not an easy task. But like most things that require hard work, the payoff is well worth it.
