Losing weight is hard enough without having to sort through the half-truths and myths that abound on TV, the Internet and in marketing campaigns. Confusing information about dietary choices and exercise make it seem as though there is no best way to lose weight. Debunking some of these myths will help you get to the truth and start shedding pounds.
Fad Diets
Fad diets often contain whole sets of myths about the best ways to lose weight. Many of these diets recommend only eating at certain times, eating only a limited number of food types and often involve starvation techniques. While it might be possible to lose weight with fad diets that report incredible weight-loss numbers, they are usually unhealthful and can cause health problems, such as gallstones stemming from rapid weight loss.
Food Types
Some weight loss myths report that certain foods are more beneficial for weight loss, even going so far as to claim that some foods burn calories. No food is capable of burning calories and not one food type is the sole contributor to weight loss. The best way to lose weight is to have a diet that include grains, vegetables, fruits, proteins and dairy. Varying your diet ensures that you receive all the vitamins and nutrients that keep your body healthy.
Eating Habits
Eating myths include not eating late at night, eating more frequent meals and not eating before or after exercise. Your body will lose weight if it receives fewer calories than it needs. It doesn't matter when or how you consume those calories. One myth that might have some truth is that eating smaller, more frequent meals might help contribute to weight loss. This might help if you are prone to waiting to eat as long as possible and then gorging on food. Small, frequent meals can help keep your hunger down so you don't eat more than you need.
Exercise
Many weight loss programs advocate '"fat-burning zones" and specific weight-loss activities. Other myths purport that weightlifting and strength-training are bad for weight loss. The truth is that any type of exercise will burn calories. Aerobic activities such as running and bicycling burn a high percentage of calories from fat. Weightlifting and increasing muscle is also an excellent way to promote weight loss. Muscle burns more calories from fat than any other tissue. Therefore, the more muscle you have the more efficiently you can exercise to burn calories from fat.
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