Common Weight Loss Myths

Have you tried the latest fad diet, only to end up staying at the same weight or even getting heavier? If so, you're not alone. There are so many different fad diets and myths floating around, each offering different promises of the best way to lose weight, that it can be hard to know what to believe. When you want to be successful in your bid to lose weight, you have to be careful not to fall for any of the common weight loss myths that keep people from being able to lose weight and keep it off.

Myth #1: Low Fat Foods are Low in Calories

Truth: Many low fat foods are actually higher in calories and sugar than their full fat counterparts. Baked goods, salad dressings, and other foods that typically contain a high percentage of fat are often less healthy when prepared as low fat items. These types of food products are often made with increased quantities of sugar, cornstarch, and other fillers that serve as replacements for the fat that is left out during the manufacturing process.

Myth #2: Calories Don't Count if You Reduce Carbohydrate Consumption

Truth: The number of calories a person consumes always has an impact on his or her weight. No matter how many or how few carbohydrates you consume, calories do count. Eating too many calories, whether they are from protein, carbohydrates, fat, or any other substance, will result in weight gain. If you decide to go on a carbohydrate controlled diet, and proceed to overheat high protein, low carbohydrate foods, you are very likely to gain weight rather than lose it.

Myth #3: Eliminating Carbohydrates is a Healthy Way to Lose Weight

Truth: It is not a good idea to eliminate carbohydrates, or any other food group, from your diet. The human body needs carbohydrates, along with a variety of additional essential nutrients, in order to function effectively. If you eliminate carbohydrates from your diet, you are cutting your body's primary source of energy. While it's a good idea to limit your consumption of certain types of carbohydrates that provide empty calories, such as refined sugar and white flour, it is also important to consume a sufficient quantity of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and other sources for healthy and necessary carbohydrate nutrition.

Myth #4: Skipping Meals is a Good Weight Loss Strategy

Truth: Those who eat several small meals throughout the day tend to lose weight much more easily than individuals who skip meals on a regular basis. When you go too long without providing your body with nourishment, it goes into starvation mode. Your body's survival instincts cause your metabolism to slow down when you let too much time pass in between meals. This means that your body will literally adapt to burn fewer calories throughout the day if you don't eat at regular intervals. You're much better off eating smaller, more frequent meals than eating only once or twice each day.

Myth #5: Exercise Isn't Important When Dieting

Truth: Exercise is important for every weight loss program, as well as for simply maintaining optimal health and wellness. To lose weight, you have to burn off more calories that you eat. The best way to increase the rate at which you burn calories is to boost your metabolism through exercise. When you follow a regular exercise program, you can burn off a significant number of calories when you're exercising. You'll also burn calories at a higher rate when you're at rest, due to the positive impact exercise has on your metabolism.

When you're serious about dropping excess pounds, you have to accept the simple truth that successful weight loss requires eating less and exercising more. This is the only fact that matters when it comes to understanding the truth about weight loss myths.

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