7 Weight Loss Myths Debunked

Losing weight can be very difficult and it goes better when you know what works and what doesn’t. Pay attention to these 7 myths to improve your probability of success! Myth #1 Eat as few calories as you can. WRONG! When you eat too few calories, your body’s metabolism goes into shutdown mode and your basal metabolic rate drops. When your basal metabolic rate drops, you need fewer calories to live off and you will eventually stop losing weight as the body goes into starvation mode. Instead, reduce your intake by 500 to 1000 calories a day to safely lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. Myth #2 Stop Eating Fat The truth is you need some fat in your diet and you should not reduce intake to less than 15 grams per day. Your cell membranes and brain need fat to function, the skin needs fat for moisture, and essential fatty acids like Omega-6 are necessary for heart health. Healthy fats include polyunsaturated and monosaturated varieties found in avocados, olive oil, and nuts. Myth #3 You can lose weight without exercise The truth is exercise is an important part of losing weight because it keeps your metabolic rate up so you can burn calories even while at rest and allows you to eat more and still lose. Myth #4 You need a program to lose weight NOT TRUE! While there are good weight loss programs out there, you can just as easily lose weight on your own if you count calories, keep your portion sizes down, and exercise regularly. Programs often cost money that not everyone can afford. All you need is a little bit of knowledge and motivation, and you will lose the weight on your own. Myth #5 You can’t snack if you want to lose weight If you stick to three meals a day without snacks, you will only feel hungry between meals and crave unhealthy foods. It is better to eat 6 to 8 small meals each day and snack on healthy foods like fresh vegetables. Myth #6 You shouldn’t eat at night if you are trying to lose weight What really counts is the number of calories you eat in one day and not so much when you eat them. Myth #7 Your weight is not hereditary Unfortunately, you can inherit a parent’s slow metabolism and weight problems so you will have to work harder to lose the weight and keep it off. While there may be challenges, do not give up hope, as even slow metabolizers can lose weight AND KEEP IT OFF! Stay focused on your goals and watch your body transform, YOU CAN DO IT!!!