Myths About Losing Weight

Do you ever wonder why your weight loss routine doesn't work? Perhaps, it is because you have been doing it the wrong way. Popular beliefs are not necessarily true. So before you start believing in these weight loss programs, check some of these myths about losing weight:

Non-fat diet is good. Most people believe that in order for them to lose weight, they have to limit or totally exclude fat from their diet. But nutrition experts believe otherwise. The truth is, our bodies need fat. It is where our bodies get a third of our calories. Besides, fat is important because it gives us energy. It is also used to repair tissues and transport vitamins around the body. It is true that low-fat diet can help reduce our weight, but scrapping it out from our diet would not be wise. The best thing to do is to cut down on saturated fats and take more saturated fats.

Fasting is a safe way to lose weight. If crash dieting is done for a short period of time, then you are sure to lose weight. However, this type of diet will ultimately thwart you from losing that extra weight if you do it for a long period. Fasting will help you burn fat. Over time, lean muscles and tissues will also be removed. When this happens, there will be a dramatic fall in your basal metabolic rate or the amount of calories your body needs daily. As your body needs fewer calories, you are likely to gain weight (especially if you haven't changed your diet).

One of the most popular beliefs is that the food we eat late at night will automatically be stored by our bodies as fat. Some diets would require you to eat before a specific time at night (otherwise known as the 'after-six' diet). However, a recent study conducted by the Dunn Nutrition Centre in Cambridge shows that more than the specific time you prefer to eat, it is your total food consumption within a 24-hour period that dictates how much fat will be stored in your body overnight. If there is a semblance of truth to the myth mentioned, it is the fact that those who skip meals during the day and eat loads in the evening are more likely to be overweight than those who have regular meals during the day.

Popular belief has also led us to think that cholesterol is bad for our health. This is why some products are often branded as "cholesterol-free" or "low-cholesterol". It can actually be bad for us as these can clog arteries, which lead to heart disease. But it is also one of the building blocks for our body cells and some vital hormones. The key is to distinguish the good cholesterol (HDL) from the bad cholesterol (LDL). Unsaturated fats from vegetable oils, seeds, and nuts are a good source of HDL.

Losing weight should not be taken lightly. After all, our health is at stake here. So it is good that you seek an expert's advice first before attempting to follow a certain weight loss program. They know better.

1. Prev:Losing Weight Effectively For A Change
2. Next:Weight Loss Plan - How To Lose Weight Fast