While we all like to envision ourselves in our dream bodies, the unfortunate truth is that losing weight and keeping it off can seem like an impossible feat to many people. If you’ve tried and failed to meet your wellness goals in the past, then you may not know what else you can do.

There are all kinds of harmful weight loss myths that people believe. Keep reading to debunk these issues so you can gain some valuable insights on sustainable weight loss.

You Need to Cut a Lot of Calories

One of the worst diet myths out there is that you need to eat the bare minimum to stay healthy. Crash dieting does give quick results, but it puts our bodies into panic mode because they think we’re starving. This can damage your metabolism permanently and make losing weight in the future even more difficult.

It’s wise to reduce your caloric intake but establish a healthy reduction. This is especially true when your body is using food for fuel.  So start small and gradually decrease your caloric intake over time. You’ll be able to form good dietary habits and never feel deprived. This can help break the vicious yo-yo dieting cycle that so many others find themselves in.

Of course your body has a 2nd source of fuel and this is fat.  My approach for weight loss with my clients is to get their bodies to use their own body fat for fuel which works well for people whose bodies are not responding to the usual “caloric deficit” model. So this method by passes the calorie model and is very healthy and safe when done properly.

But if you are trying to lose weight on your own and still using food as your source of fuel then just make sure that you do not drastically decrease your caloric intake.

Food and Exercise Are the Only Things That Matter

Your diet and exercise habits are crucial for maintaining your ideal weight. However, you can look elsewhere to supercharge your results. Why should you work harder when there are ways to work smarter?

Other factors influence weight loss beyond just calorie in/calorie out model based on diet and exercise.  Your hormones, metabolism and micronutrient status have a huge impact.  In fact when there is any imbalance in these factors then often just eating less and exercising more will not work.  

It is better to do a plan that will take these other factors into account so that when you commit to a plan it will work.

Fat Loss Requires Hours in the Gym

Cardio and strength-training activities are essential for a long, happy life. Exercising can speed up your weight loss, but it’s still possible to shed pounds without lifting a finger as long as your diet is clean.  If your goal is to lose weight then it is better to focus on a plan that incorporates, clean eating of whole foods and using an approach that will address any imbalances in hormones and metabolism.  Exercise will have a much bigger impact on helping you to maintain your weight loss rather than using it to lose weight. 

With this in mind, you should focus on exploring activities that can help you maintain an active lifestyle rather than prioritizing weight loss. Going on calming nature walks every day is much better for you rather than suffering in the gym three hours each day for a week and then quitting. When the goal is to create a holistic lifestyle, weight loss or maintaining your ideal weight are happy side effects.

Calories Outweigh Nutrition

One of the most surprising weight loss facts is that calories aren’t the end all be all when it comes to weight loss. Even though the calories in calories out method has been drilled into our culture, you can’t afford to overlook the source of your calories.

Not all calories are the same.  It is more important to focus on high nutrient value in your food than the calories.  When you are losing weight and burning fat your body releases toxins that are stored in your fat.  Your body needs to detoxify those toxins and that process requires certain phytonutrients and micronutrients. 

So having a nutrient rich diet including  proteins, heart-healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and a variety of veggies means your body will do what it needs to do to burn fat, detoxify toxins, level out blood sugar levels so that you feel satisfied and energized while losing weight.

Certain Foods Make You Fat

If you counted all of the nutrition myths out there, then there wouldn’t be a single food out there that’s “safe” to eat. Carbs, protein, and fat, have all earned a bad reputation and encouraged people to adopt an unhealthy relationship with food.

Once you remove the emotional associations with foods, you’ll be able to take on each meal in a productive way.

Following Celebrities Will Give You the Best Results

Looking at transformation photos of our favorite celebrities can be inspiring, but it’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all diet. What worked for one celebrity may even make you gain more weight if you force yourself to do things you hate.

Celebrities may not even follow the diets that they’re sharing because they could’ve been paid to promote them. Famous people have resources like personal trainers and chefs that you may not have access to. Team up with a regulated health practitioner who can help you create a plan that’s tailored to your unique needs.

Losing Weight Is a Linear Process

It’s normal to feel discouraged on your weight loss journey at some point. You eat the right foods and get your exercise in but the scale won’t budge. Sometimes your weight could even go up depending on things like hormones or salt intake.

Whenever you hit a plateau, trust in the process and keep up the great work. You can even start eating to maintain rather than lose for a few weeks to give yourself a rest and make your body less likely to cling to your fat reserves.

Don’t Let These Weight Loss Myths Sabotage Your Results

With so many different weight loss myths out there, it can be difficult to keep the facts straight. If you are finding it overwhelming and this results in you not being able to stick with a plan then consider getting some help. 

The approach I use is based on intermittent fasting and an anti-inflammatory whole food diet which is  structured and very straightforward, making it easier for busy people to implement into their lifestyle.  If you are looking for a supervised and simple plan then click here to book a short 15 minute call with me so I can determine what you need and you can learn more about what is right for you.