4 (that’s right, count ‘em - I said FOUR!)       
       Weight Loss Myths

By: Laura Tarbell

1.  Fad diets are awesome

What a fad diet is, is actually a successfully
marketed product that convinces the masses
(you) that it’s a magic ticket to dropping 4
pants sizes. It’s either a book or a food product
or some new eating “plan”—but what the
commercials aren’t telling you is that the fad
diet may be dangerous. Most of the time the
promoters aren’t trained or qualified to give
you the information. Some of  the diets
restrict fruits and vegetables or  other
nutritious foods and over a long period of
time that can become unhealthy or dangerous
to the body. Some fad diets don’t tell you to
exercise or that your exercise needs are under
10 minutes a day. Of course, to the lazy
individual that seems ideal—but in actuality it doesn’t achieve long term
results or any changed behavior which is needed in all weight loss programs.
Be very wary of any publicized Fad Diet because in most cases, once the fad
is over the pounds come back on.

2. Starvation and liquid diets are a fine for quick weight loss

H 2 Oh no you didn’t just think that!    What you are mostly losing is water
and lean muscle mass with these types of diets.  They are methods of rapid
weight loss that aren’t recommended at all. Plus, they do a number on your
body in which the weight will come back twice as quickly when the “diet” is
over.  

3. Losing weight quickly isn’t a problem

Rapid weight loss isn’t recommended at all.  The average dieter that loses 1
to 3 pounds a week is healthier and keeps the weight off longer than the
rapid weight loss dieter. Plus, losing weight too quickly can cause negative
results such as nutrition imbalances or cardiac dysrhythmias.  What we
learned from starvation and liquid diet myths is that when you lose weight
quickly you lose a lot of muscle. Losing muscle mass will decrease your
resting metabolic rate which will make it more difficult to lose weight in the
future. Your RMR is how how quickly your body burns calories and the
more lean muscle you lose the slower your RMR becomes.  

4. Just eating less is a good way to lose weight

A reclining chair, remote control, and a bowl
full of rice cakes may all go together--- but so
don’t diet AND exercise.  You’ll receive better,
and longer lasting results for an overall fit and
healthy self if you eat balanced meals in
appropriate portions and get regular exercise.
Exercise increases your metabolism -  especially
your resting metabolic rate (which means you’ll
be burning more fat and calories when you are
sitting in the recliner  than if you didn’t
exercise)  and benefits the brain as well. The
healthier you feel the less likely you’ll want fatty, unfit food. Building
muscle (which increases RMR) getting tone and strong all keeps you on the
right track and off the dieting roller coaster so you won’t have to worry
about MYTHS anymore.