Meanwhile, here are some of the most common myths surrounding weight loss:
Myth # 1 Eating Fat Will Make You Fat
While there is some truth to this, fat itself is not the main cause of weight gain. First off, our body needs fat in order to function properly. Moreover, there are three types of fat: saturated fat, unsaturated fat, and trans fat. The first two types of fat are the good types, while the last one, the unsaturated fat, is the bad type. Choosing to eat food that contains saturated and unsaturated fat won’t make you fat, but will make you healthier instead. On the other hand, choosing to eat food rich in trans fat won’t just make you fat, but increase your risk for diseases as well.
So, if fat is not the culprit, what is? The answer is carbohydrates. While carbohydrates is essential to the body just as fat is, eating too much food rich in it such as breads, pastas, cakes, and even alcohol, will definitely make you fat. Too much carbohydrate can cause an increase in insulin, which in return can trigger your body’s mechanism to store fat. The key here, then, is to eat food that can counteract the effect of carbohydrates, such as lean protein.
Myth # 2 Skipping Meals is a Surefire Way to Shed off Some Pounds
You may have heard this a million times already and it may seem logical. However, if you understand how the human body works, you will realize that skipping a meal, especially breakfast, will not make you lose weight, but will actually make you fat. According to studies, people who skip breakfast have a higher risk for obesity. For one, it causes an uneven distribution of calories for your body throughout the day. This leads to overeating and even late-night cravings. It has also been found that people who skip meals have very poor eating habits and are usually binge eaters.
Myth # 3 Exercising Hard Will Make You Lose Weight Fast
Regular exercise offers tons of benefits. People who exercise at a daily basis are at a lower risk for all kinds of diseases, particularly those that involve the cardiovascular system. Exercise is also good for the brain and can help improve the memory. In a current study, however, it has been found that exercise, in general, is pretty much of no value for weight loss. The explanation is that while exercise helps burn fat and calories, it can also stimulate hunger. You wouldn’t want to give up on exercise altogether, since it is still crucial for your well-being. However, if you rely on exercise as a solution for fast weight loss, you will only be disappointed.
Myth # 4 You Need to Follow a Strict Diet Program to Lose Weight
It’s a misconception that you need to follow a strict diet program and cut back on certain types of food in order for you to lose weight. Again, there is nothing wrong with following a diet weight loss program. However, if you rely on it for your fitness, you will end up disappointed and frustrated. First, you need to understand that it is not mainly the type of food you eat and how much of it you eat that determines whether you will lose weight or not. There are actually a lot of factors that determine how fast and successful you can lose weight, but the most important one is your body’s metabolic rate. This means that even if you starve yourself, you will have a difficult time losing weight if your metabolic rate is slow. In the same manner, you won’t easily gain weight regardless of how you eat if your metabolic rate is high. Therefore, the key here is healthy eating, or eating the right types of food in the right amount and at the right time.
There are other myths surrounding the diet weight loss program and these are just some of them. What you need to realize is that there are no shortcuts to a slim and fit body. And in the end, what it takes to lose weight successfully is having the right information and the determination to apply it.
