When you are plus sized, people tend to give lots of advice on how to lose weight either to ridicule you or out of sincere concern. Nowadays there is an abundance of information on the internet, gyms etc. on how to lose weight and be healthy. Some of these tips are actually incorrect and can even be hindering your weight loss attempt.
Here are some myths on weight loss:
- You can lose weight by exercise alone: Exercise is very important as it makes you healthier but exercising alone won’t make you lose weight. You may burn 500 calories in the gym but eat 5000 calories after. If by exercise alone you can lose weight then sumo wrestlers won’t be fat.
- Not eating fat will make you lose weight: Eating less or not taking fat at all won’t make you lose weight any faster. In fact, it isn’t advisable to cut out a particular class of food from your diet completely; instead eat healthier fat options.
- Eating salad will make you lose weight: Salads are healthy but most toppings or creams added aren’t e.g mayonnaise etc.
- Carbs are bad for you :Just like in fats, there are good carbs and bad carbs and it isn’t advisable to cut out a food class completely. Example of good carbs are oats, wheat etc. while bad carbs are foods made from refined flour.
- Don’t eat after 6 pm: Though the body undergoes ketosis when you sleep, it isn’t about the time you eat but more about what you eat. Studies show that most people eat high calorie meals for dinner which negates whatever fat that may be lost while sleeping. It is better to eat a light meal for dinner and allow for it to digest before you go to bed. Don’t forget to get enough rest as studies show that people who sleep longer tend to eat less in the morning.
- Skipping meals speeds up weight loss: This is a myth that has been going on for years and it’s a BIG FAT LIE. Don’t starve yourself as skipping a meal only makes you eat more during your next meal and as such is useless to your weight loss plan.
- Healthy foods don’t have calories and sugar: There are some people who believe that anything that tastes sweet can’t be healthy. This is another lie! Some also believe that healthy foods don’t have calories, which is also a lie e.g: 1 tablespoon of peanut butter is 163 calories. Just because you heard it is healthy doesn’t mean you should pile a mountain load on your plate.