5 Weight Loss Myths- BUSTED!

Think you know how to lose weight? Always on a diet but still not getting anywhere? Are you falling for these weight loss myths?

1: If you exercise, you can eat whatever you want.

This one is a doozy, and a really common mistake. You think that because you went and did that aerobics class, worked up a big sweat, and left with your legs wobbling and your chest heaving, that surely that makes up for the burger you grabbed on the way home right?

Wrong.

We tend to overestimate how many calories exercise works off, and underestimate how many calories are in the food we eat. Exercise to get fit, feel great, get strong, and be healthier, and take a healthier approach with your diet- if 90% of what you eat is healthy and nutritionally balanced, you can enjoy 10% as treat foods and this can be totally guilt free.

2: Eating small frequent meals gives you a higher metabolism

Studies testing 5 meals a day versus 3 meals a day (with the same total calories in both) found absolutely no difference in metabolic rate. In fact, in real life, having 5 meals smaller meals a day offers more opportunities to overeat, plus a lot of prepackaged natural/healthy “snacks” are way higher in energy than is appropriate for weight loss (100-200cal).

3: Eating less makes you lose weight faster

 Your body is really smart, and built for survival. Sure, initially a very low calorie diet will cause quicker weight loss, but your body quickly steps in to drop your metabolism to the floor, and puts in place measure so that energy is stored at a higher rate once your diet goes back to normal, which often leads to that yoyo effect- where you regain everything you lost in no time, plus usually some more.

4: Health foods or natural foods will make you lose weight

 Just because it’s natural, doesn’t mean it’s a free for all. Some natural foods and drinks are the highest calorie choices you could make!

For example, a small handful of nuts/dried fruit has the same calories as an entire meal. Fruit juices can be super high in sugar and calories, and it’s easy to go overboard (1/2 glass fruit juice = 1 fruit serve). And oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, nut oils/butters are incredibly calorie dense.

Instead, choose plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables/salad, whole grains, lentils, and moderate amounts of lean protein, dairy, eggs, nuts, and healthy fats.

5: If women do weights, it will make them bulk up

Genetics just doesn’t allow for that unfortunately, we just don’t have the right hormones for rapid extreme muscle building. Doing regular weights (resistance) exercise is in fact a great weight loss strategy, as having higher muscle mass will actually help lose weight as well, as the more muscle you have in proportion to body fat, the higher your resting metabolism.

A lot of the real strategies that we know work for weight loss go against what you think you know. The media, so-called nutrition experts, or those promoting the latest weight loss fad, pill, or potion have offered up so much conflicting advice that we don’t know what to do or what will really work for us long term!

That’s exactly why we offer expert nutrition workshops, cooking classes, and a program that’s proven for weight loss as an optional part of our weight loss retreat. Check out our program here>>