Don't Fall Victim to Weight Loss Myths

Maybe you've often thought about starting a weight loss diet. But if it appeared to be too much work or too hard to figure out, maybe you decided against it. Listening to some of the dieting advice that's so readily available, you'll find that there are a lot of myths. Read on to learn more about them, and why they're wrong.

1. One of the most common myths is that you can drop pounds quickly just by a severe cutback in food and calorie intake. This way of dieting can be highly damaging to your health. Your body goes into starvation mode, and hangs onto as much fat as possible.

2. Another myth we face in our quest for a slimmer waistline is one that tells us to eat only one specific type of food. The cabbage soup diet has no doubt led to many binge episodes through its existence. Following dangerous fad diets means your body’s not getting the necessary nutrients it needs to fight off illnesses and stay healthy.

3. Maybe you think that it's an irreversible error to slip up on your diet. And if you do, you must pay the price by doubling up on your workouts. This just isn’t true. Really, you can have that piece of chocolate cake occasionally. It's only necessary that you cut back on your calories for a day or two. There’s really no need to exercise for hours just to compensate for one little treat.

4. A popular myth is that you should avoid eating before bedtime because your body will just store all the calories as fat. This one isn’t true because a diet only means that you’re eating healthy and watching your caloric intake for the day. Having a light snack before bed isn’t going to make a big difference. That is, unless it's a three course gourmet dinner or a family size tub of ice cream.

5. Maybe you've heard of the one that tells you not to eat at all between established mealtimes? It’s better that you do eat snacks. Eat smaller meals throughout the day to keep your hunger satisfied. By eliminating snacks between meals, you’re only going to make yourself hungrier at meal times. You might end up eating considerably more food than your body requires just to keep hunger at bay.

6. Another myth concerns dairy products, and tells you to completely avoid them because they'll make you fat. But there are many essential nutrients contained in dairy products, so it's unwise to completely cut them from your eating plan. In fact, some studies suggest those who consume dairy have better weight loss success. However, watch how much you consume and opt for low fat selections.

Avoid being conned by all the myths about weight loss that abound on various websites. Nutritious, mindful eating along with regular exercise can be the combination that will help you with your healthy weight loss.