If you feel stuck with your weight loss journey, you may be a victim of some weight loss myths. Sometimes common health tips aren’t as effective as they seem. Some weight loss "no-brainers" are counterproductive when it comes to building your metabolism and supporting long-term wellness goals. Here is the truth about four common weight loss myths.
Myth 1: Don't Eat Carbs Cut out carbohydrates, lose weight. Simple, right? Many believe that eliminating carbohydrates, which can turn into stored sugar, is the first step for weight loss. However, you shouldn't be too quick to cut out carbohydrates because your body needs energy. Carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy diet since they help stimulate hormones that store energy. It's important to find a balance and pay attention to where you are getting your carbs from. Fruits, whole grains, and beans are rich in carbohydrates and should be included in a healthy eating lifestyle.
Myth 2: You Must Starve Yourself Sure, you can starve, and you'll lose weight. But there is nothing healthy about this method. Feeling hungry is not a good motivator to keep you eating healthy. Skipping meals and forcing yourself to eat like a bird triggers overeating and can slow down your metabolism. Balancing your hunger with portions and healthy options will support long-term weight loss success.
Myth 3: Just Do Cardio Exercise Yes, cardio exercises do burn calories. But cardio alone won't build the muscle that contributes to your overall health. Cardio builds endurance and helps you shed the weight, but strength training workouts build strength and tone your body. Plus, too much cardio will lead to muscle loss which can actually slow down your metabolism. You need the muscle to burn the fat. Therefore be sure to include strength-training workouts like weight lifting along with cardio in your fitness plan.
Myth 4: Eat Plenty of Low-fat and Low-Calorie Foods Often these "low" alternatives are high in processed, artificial ingredients. The type of calories you consume is more important than the number. For example, a 100 calorie granola bar has chemically engineered ingredients without nutrients. Keep track of your calorie intake and the quality of the food. Ask yourself, what exactly am I eating? Additionally, when you stock up on fake foods, your body will still crave the nutrients you're missing. Often this craving causes us to eat more. What you need is more nutrients not more fake foods.