Weight Loss Myths

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When you’re looking at a topic that is as highly charged and emotional as weight loss is, it’s important to look at the info out there and figure out what is truth and what is fiction.  There are a lot of weight loss myths out there and when you are looking to lose some pounds, they sure don’t help you.  This article points out a few weight loss myths to steer clear of.

Myth:  Snacking causes weight gain.
The truth is that eating several small meals a day when you are trying to lose weight can be a good idea.  When you eat just a few large meals, they may make you feel tired and sleepy after you eat and very hungry until the next time you eat.  Small meals and healthy snacks are one way to keep your body processing, your energy level up, and keep you from getting really hungry and then binging.

Myth:  I can lose the weight rapidly and then keep it off.
You’ll find there are lots of ads telling you that you can lose something like twenty pounds in a week.  Maybe you can, but this is not a healthy way to lose weight and you haven’t made any lifestyle changes to keep the weight from coming right back on.  In regards to weight loss, slow and steady winds the race.  Think in terms of good health and long-lasting changes in eating habits.

Myth: Eating primarily x will help me lose weight.
There are a lot of fad diets out there and you’ll find that many of them recommend eating almost exclusively one type of food.  This is a poor idea and it can have some very negative consequences in the long run.  Eating one type of food or from just one food group means you are not giving your body what it needs.  You may initially lose a lot of weight but you might begin to have cravings and end up eating junk food and gaining the weight back.

Myth:  I should skip meals.
Skipping meals will throw your body into starvation mode where it thinks that there is no food around.  This will actually make it even harder to lose weight because it means your metabolism has slowed down.  Breakfast seems the most common meal to skip, but eating a good breakfast is important.  After you have been sleeping, your body needs calories that will signal it to get going.  Instead of skipping meals, eat more frequent small meals or snacks.

Pause a moment and think about what makes the most sense for your body and your desire to lose weight.  Take a practical approach of never starving yourself, skipping meals, losing weight rapidly, or trying fad diets.  Eat healthy while decreasing your calories or increasing your activity level to make weight loss a reality for you.