Weight Loss Myths Busted! Trying to shed those extra kilos and getting rid of the unsightly love handles is easily the most cherished ambition of a majority of people on our planet. And in this quest we all get pulled and pushed into trying various things: going on fad diets; eating foods that burn fat; sticking to low fat; turning vegetarian …the list is endless. And after trying to follow one or two or many of these, we find ourselves nowhere close to what we wanted to be!!
Basically losing weight comprises of three crucial elements: drawing up a healthy eating plan; losing weight by following an exercise routine which is safe and easy to adhere to; and last but not the least: keeping the weight off. This article tries to bust some of the most of the commonly held myths about weight-loss and raises your awareness about them.
Myth Number 1:
Fad Diets cause permanent weight loss Fad diets promise results in a matter of a
week or two by asking you to cut certain foods completely from your diet. But the bad news is that by scrapping certain foods totally out of your diet might result in a deficiency as these diets deny you certain nutrients. Moreover, there is a strong possibility of you getting tired of following it and regaining the lost weight.
Tip: Research suggests that aiming to lose ½ to 2 pounds a week by eating small healthy meals combined with moderate physical activity is the best way to lose weight and also keep it off. Myth Number 2: Certain foods like grapefruit, celery, or cabbage soup can burn fat. There are no foods that can burn fat. Certain foods like caffeine may step up your metabolism ( the way your body uses the
calories) temporarily. However, this cannot result in weight-loss.
Tip : The mantra is to eat healthy foods in the right quantities and moderate but regular physical exercise.
Myth Number 3: Low-fat or non-fat means low calorie
Low fat or non-fat just implies that the product contains less or no calories from fat. But most of the time the total calorie content of low fat versus regular is the same. And why is it so? The low fat product may contain added sugar or starch thickeners to improve flavor or texture after fat is removed.
Tip : Read the Nutrition Facts labels to find out the number of calories in a serving. Also, check the serving size. Myth Number 4: Lifting weights is not good for losing weight. It will “bulk you up.” Lifting weights, strength training or resistance training will actually help you to lose and / or maintain your weight. Basically, these exercises build muscle and muscle can burn more calories than fat. Significantly, even while resting you will be burring more calories. Ladies relax, doing these exercises 2 –3 times a week will certainly not bulk you up. Moreover, you don’t have the genetic makeup required to build very large muscle.
Tip : In addition to doing 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical exercise on most days of the week, try to do some weight training 2-3 times a week. Myth Number 5: Natural or herbal weight-loss products are safe and effective Just because a weight-loss product claims to be natural or herbal does not mean it is safe. Most of these products are not scientifically tested to prove that they are tested or that they work. It is therefore possible that some of them could actually cause you more harm than good.
Tip: Consult your GP before using any natural/herbal product.