Top 10 Weight Loss Myths By Jennifer R. Scott, About.com Guide
Weight loss myths seem to always be around, whether they're on the Web, sent through e-mail or in the latest celebrity magazine. Believing these ideas can cause you more harm than good. Read on to find out the answers behind some of the most popular myths about weight loss.
1. If I drastically cut calories, I'll lose weight faster.When you take your caloric intake down too low, you are actually sending your body into "starvation mode." Your body wants to maintain your weight when it "thinks" you are starving; therefore, your metabolism will actually slow down and you may not lose weight.
2. The stricter the diet, the better it will work.The stricter a diet is -- such as completely eliminating entire food groups or eating just one food -- the less effective it will be in the end. You'll get tired of the allowed food and when you feel really deprived, you're likely to call it quits altogether.
3. I should get rid of my favorite less-than-healthful foods.By treating yourself to your old favorites now and again, you'll stay motivated and you'll be less likely to give in to a binge. (Just make sure you get back on track after your treat.) Moderation is the key to successful, long-term weight loss.
4. Eating late at night will cause me to gain weight.All things considered, it doesn't really matter when you eat, only how many calories you eat and burn in a day. Whether you're eating in the morning or at midnight, your body turns any extra calories into fat over the course of time. In fact, eating a light snack -- like cheese and crackers -- before bed may help you sleep better.
5. I shouldn't eat between meals.On the contrary, eating a small, healthful snack between meals will help keep your blood sugar stable and your metabolism going strong. You'll also avoid getting too hungry so you don't overeat at your next meal.
6. Fat is bad.Everybody needs to include some fat in their diet. Fat makes dishes more satisfying and palatable. Some fats are even good for you, like omega-3 fatty acids, which are found predominantly in fish and shellfish, and monounsaturated fat like that in olive oil.
7. Skipping meals will help me lose weight.On the contrary, skipping meals may actually cause you to gain weight! Your metabolism plummets and you get overly-hungry when go too long without eating. Plus, you may not be reaching your daily calorie requirements which will backfire on you (Remember, eating too few calories can cause weight loss to stall). That's why eating the meal we skip most, breakfast, can actually help us lose weight.
8. Dairy is a "don't" on healthy diets.With non- and low-fat varieties of most dairy products on the market, working dairy into your diet is a definite "do." Women in particular need the calcium dairy products provide, not to mention the fact that research has shown eating enough calcium can actually give our weight loss efforts a boost.
9. It all boils down to willpower.Yes, willpower may be a factor when it comes to how we respond to cravings, but a lot more factors can impact our weight, including genetics, culture, home environment, activity level and health issues. The good news is eating a healthy diet and exercising can help you overcome these influences.
10. Drinking a lot of water can help me lose weight.Drinking water in and of itself will not lead to weight loss. Of course, water is key to a healthy lifestyle and drinking enough has many benefits, but when people lose weight due to drinking water, it's most likely because they're substituting it for high-calorie juices and sodas.
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Showing posts with label weight loss myths. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight loss myths. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Weight Loss Wednesday
5 Common Weight Loss Myths courtesy of the weightlosstipssite.com
Just like counterfeit products, at some point in our battle against obesity, we also encounter several weight loss blunders–misleading statements that may have the potential to ruin your efforts to shed pounds and do the exact opposite that you have been dreading of.
To bring light into this matter, here are the top 5 weight loss myths you should never believe again.
1. Cardio burns more fat than strength training
Any physical activity burns calories. However, the quantity consumed varies on the type of exercise you are performing.
Yes, aerobic exercise burns more calories. But according to a new study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the body’s metabolism rapidly decreases back to pre-exercise levels within half an hour after cardio exercise. On the other hand, strength training, also known as resistance training, may result to a more extensive calorie burning for up to two hours following the workout. On top of that, regular weight lifting will increase muscle mass which will help boost a person’s metabolism.
Unfortunately, many abandon strength training as a means for losing weight because an increased muscle mass may also mean an increase in body weight. Aerobics, however, presents a lot of benefits. Aside from improving the cardiovascular status, aerobic exercise also results in an improved musculature, weight loss, reduces risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, and some types of cancer. Plus, research published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that regular cardio exercises also increases a person’s life span.
Hence, for optimum health and weight improvement, a combined cardio and strength training for as little as 30 to 60 minutes a day would be recommended.
2. Either dieting or exercise can sustain weight loss
A person gains weight if he eats more than what his body uses, has little physical activity, or has a low basal metabolic rate resulting in the accumulation of too much body fat. Decreasing your calorie intake may cause you to lose weight fast, but exercising will also help you keep it off for good. On the plus side, exercise has a number of benefits for your body.
3. Certain exercises can cause spot reduction
Spot reduction means losing fat at a certain spot in the body such as the belly. Contrary to common belief and commercials aired on media, spot reduction remains a myth. There is neither such exercise pattern nor a pill that can reduce fat on a particular region. Fat is lost from body areas in a pattern determined by genetics and has no relationship with exercising muscles underneath the layer of fat. If you are determined to have a spot reduction of fat, only liposuction or the surgical suctioning of adipose (fat) tissue can accomplish such.
4. Do not eat beyond 7:00 pm
There is no sense why you should not eat past seven or at night. Perhaps this is attributed to the decrease in metabolism when sleeping. But in fact, calories do not recognize time. What’s important is learning to know how much is too much, as well as your activity afterwards because this belief assumes that people will stay idle after dinner.
5. Do not eat in between meals
Snacks aren’t the reason why you gain weight. Blame it on the calories. In fact, most diet plans advocate eating in small but frequent feedings. This will keep you from going hungry and prevent you from overeating.
Here's to your health!!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Just like counterfeit products, at some point in our battle against obesity, we also encounter several weight loss blunders–misleading statements that may have the potential to ruin your efforts to shed pounds and do the exact opposite that you have been dreading of.
To bring light into this matter, here are the top 5 weight loss myths you should never believe again.
1. Cardio burns more fat than strength training
Any physical activity burns calories. However, the quantity consumed varies on the type of exercise you are performing.
Yes, aerobic exercise burns more calories. But according to a new study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the body’s metabolism rapidly decreases back to pre-exercise levels within half an hour after cardio exercise. On the other hand, strength training, also known as resistance training, may result to a more extensive calorie burning for up to two hours following the workout. On top of that, regular weight lifting will increase muscle mass which will help boost a person’s metabolism.
Unfortunately, many abandon strength training as a means for losing weight because an increased muscle mass may also mean an increase in body weight. Aerobics, however, presents a lot of benefits. Aside from improving the cardiovascular status, aerobic exercise also results in an improved musculature, weight loss, reduces risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, and some types of cancer. Plus, research published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that regular cardio exercises also increases a person’s life span.
Hence, for optimum health and weight improvement, a combined cardio and strength training for as little as 30 to 60 minutes a day would be recommended.
2. Either dieting or exercise can sustain weight loss
A person gains weight if he eats more than what his body uses, has little physical activity, or has a low basal metabolic rate resulting in the accumulation of too much body fat. Decreasing your calorie intake may cause you to lose weight fast, but exercising will also help you keep it off for good. On the plus side, exercise has a number of benefits for your body.
3. Certain exercises can cause spot reduction
Spot reduction means losing fat at a certain spot in the body such as the belly. Contrary to common belief and commercials aired on media, spot reduction remains a myth. There is neither such exercise pattern nor a pill that can reduce fat on a particular region. Fat is lost from body areas in a pattern determined by genetics and has no relationship with exercising muscles underneath the layer of fat. If you are determined to have a spot reduction of fat, only liposuction or the surgical suctioning of adipose (fat) tissue can accomplish such.
4. Do not eat beyond 7:00 pm
There is no sense why you should not eat past seven or at night. Perhaps this is attributed to the decrease in metabolism when sleeping. But in fact, calories do not recognize time. What’s important is learning to know how much is too much, as well as your activity afterwards because this belief assumes that people will stay idle after dinner.
5. Do not eat in between meals
Snacks aren’t the reason why you gain weight. Blame it on the calories. In fact, most diet plans advocate eating in small but frequent feedings. This will keep you from going hungry and prevent you from overeating.
Here's to your health!!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
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