Weight Loss Myths
A list of common myths that many people believe which can seriously hurt your progress and your state of mind. In other words you will become discouraged when you don’t see results!
Here they are:
- Spot Reduction. There is just simply no such thing. No matter how many crunches you perform you will not get a flatter stomach until you incorporate proper eating habits and some kind of low intensity aerobic activity.
- Starches are fattening. Things like bread, rice and pasta won’t make you fat. It is what you put on them that will hurt you. Things like butter and oils. Potatoes and their companions are actually a good source of carbohydrates, which is the main fuel source for the body.
- You have to stop eating the foods you enjoy. The real issue here is not the food itself but rather how much and when. The longer you go without something the more likely you are to crave it and you will end up losing the battle. This often leads to discouragement.
- The starvation effect. Cabbage soup doesn’t sound bad for a few days but how about a month? Or worse yet, how about for life? And when you do eat ‘normal’ foods again…watch out! The more sensible way is to make slow changes in your eating habits until you see results and then adjust accordingly.
- Missing meals is a better way to lose weight. On the contrary. Studies reveal that people who miss breakfast tend to be heavier than those who don’t. When you skip a meal you are more likely to eat more the next time.
- Becoming a vegetarian will guarantee weight loss. Things such as cheese and nuts can be just as fattening as animal products. Also, many substitute’ by including things such as chocolate bars and chips. As with any way of eating you have to be just as careful.
- If it’s ‘fat-free’ it’s good. This isn’t always true. You have to check labels because in some products the fat is lower but the calories are still quite high. Some manufacturers replace the absence of fat with things like sugar to help improve the taste resulting in a higher caloric content.
- One diet will work for everyone. If this were true there would only be one diet. Everyone is different and has different needs. The true plans are the ones that show you how to discover this yourself through knowledge, questioning, experimentation and application.
- Weighing yourself everyday. You will only become discouraged. Your body weight fluctuates from day to day due to different variables such as hormonal changes and fluid retention. It’s best to weigh yourself once a week.
- Eating fat will make you fat. Of course if you eat too much fat you will gain weight but the same also applies to protein and carbohydrates. Your body actually needs fat for certain functions of the body. With this said it still is wise to keep your fat lower than the remaining two (protein and carbs) which shouldn’t be a problem.
- If your parents are overweight you will be too. While some of this is true it is only a small amount at most. It is mostly a persons habits resulting from how they were raised by their parents that cause the problems. With enough education and determination it is possible to meet your goals!
There! Once you have those things cleared up you can start to concentrate on your program.
Key points
- Do this for yourself and not others. It will be easier on you
- Your primary objective should be what you think of yourself and not what others think
- Start when you are ready in order to be in the proper frame of mind
- Learn from your mistakes, don’t be discouraged, and start over
- All sincere efforts will be rewarded
- Study the myths we went over carefully so you will remember what to avoid!