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Myths About Weight Loss
Has it ever occurred to you that your thoughts and habits might be preventing you from losing weight? It may be a foreign concept, but the primary thing keeping you overweight may be your own mistaken beliefs in certain weight loss myths. To see if these myths are preventing your from achieving the slim figure you are desiring, read the following myths and see if you believe any of them.

Weight Loss Myths:

* If I just forget about breakfast or lunch, the weight will come off quicker.

Believe it or not, skipping meals can actually increase body fat and lead to weight gain. There was a study that showed individuals who skip breakfast have a 5% lower metabolism than those who don't. This is the rate at which the body needs to burn up calories while at rest to maintain its necessary functions. When you skip a meal your body will compensate by burning calories at a slower rate. You can actually lose weight more quickly if you eat many small meals throughout the day as opposed to only one or two large meals. It's a good idea to remember that skipping breakfast, or really any meal, will do

your body harm and hinder your weight loss goals.

2. You won't gain weight from fat-free foods, regardless of the amount you consume. One of the greatest sources of all calories in any diet is fat: one gram of fat equal nine calories, while one gram of protein or carbohydrate equals only four calories. If you eat less fat you will be able to cut down on the overall calories intake in your diet. You should also realize that fat-free foods are not necessarily low in calories.


Manufacturers often replace the fat they remove from a food with copious amounts of sugar, making that fat-free product higher in calories than the original product. Weight is gained when too many calories are consumed, the origin of the calories does not matter when it comes to weight gain. Cutting down on dietary fat can be good for you and can help to cut down on excess calories, you'll also want to keep track of how many calories you consume in a day.

3. If I don't lose weight fast and see the results immediately, I'll give up on the diet.

Losing weight rapidly, say at a rate of one or two pounds a week, you're likely to lose muscle mass as well. Your muscles are what keep your body moving. The bigger it is, the more gas it'll burn. As you lose muscle, you require fewer calories to keep your body moving. Because of this you'll actually gain weight eating the same amount of calories you were taking in as you maintained your previous weight. If you lose weight too quickly it will actually become harder to keep off down the road. Take this into consideration when you find yourself tempted to hop on a fad diet bandwagon that promises rapid weight loss in a short amount of time, or if you feel the urge to abandon a plan because you don't see immediate results.

* The only thing that will make me feel successful is if I can achieve my weight goal.

Success means a lot more than just a number on some scale. Success is measured by how well you make and stick with this positive lifestyle change for a healthier body. Do not become a slave to any bathroom scale. It is important as you move towards your goal that you keep accurate records and work to increase your daily activity. The habits you are able to create will be what determine how your reach your goals and how long you are able to maintain your goals.

5. If I don't feel the pain and work out for hours on end when I exercise, then it's not effective.

Most experts agree that it's not what exercises you do or for how long that matters, what matters is simply that sedentary habits like watching tv are replaced with activities that require moving around. Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day can stave off disease but if you're looking to manage your weight you'll need to work your way up to 60 minutes of exercise a day for most days of the week. However, it doesn't have to be that you put 60 minutes in all at once. It can be spread out throughout the day so you can walk before work, take the stairs at lunch and work out some more after dinner.

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