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January 09, 2007
A New Year. A New Way of Thinking.
When it comes to weight loss, there's an awful lot of "myth-information" out there. Along with the proliferation of fad diets come some pretty strange notions about how to succeed at weight management.
The beginning of a new year, however, is a great time to start fresh. The following information is offered to help clear up some common misconceptions.
There is no miracle food that burns calories. Grapefruit is tasty and nutritious, but it won't whittle down your waistline. Water is calorie-free and essential, but it won't flush away those excess calories.
Similarly, there is no pill or supplement sold over the counter that can help burn fat or speed up your metabolism. Buying these will only slim down your wallet.
Calories count. Despite the resurgence of the low-carbohydrate craze, if you want to be successful with weight loss, you need to make changes that result in fewer calories being consumed and/or more calories being used by the body.
A deficit of a mere 100 calories a day (one less cookie then usual) can result in a 10-pound weight loss in the coming year. Learn more about the calorie content of food by looking at the "calories per serving" on the food label.
Liquid calories also count. Many people consume a lot of their excess calories in the form of sweetened sodas and iced teas, specialty coffee drinks and alcoholic beverages. Just because they don't fill your stomach, doesn't mean they aren't filling your calorie quota.
All foods can fit when you're trying to lose weight. For certain high-calorie foods, it's simply a matter of how much and how often you include them. Totally depriving yourself of foods you enjoy is generally short-lived.
Simply because a restaurant serves you gigantic portions doesn't mean you need to consume that amount. Portion distortion is a reality you need to overcome. Educate yourself about recommended serving sizes at www.mypyramid.gov.
Weight loss also doesn't have to involve severe hunger and rabbit-size portions. It's not the volume of food that matters, it's the total calories consumed at the end of the day.
One person could eat a mere six items a day, but if they're all high-calorie choices (fried foods or rich desserts), that person will consume a lot more total calories than someone who consumes twice that number of lower-calorie choices.
Some dieters think erroneously that they need to reach their "ideal" weight before their health will improve. Multiple studies have shown that even small amounts of weight loss can improve things such as cholesterol level, blood pressure and diabetes control.
Another common myth: Exercise allows a person to eat a lot more. Physical activity is a key element for long-term weight loss success; however, walking for 30 minutes isn't going to cancel out that 600-calorie dessert.
Weight loss is hard enough without having to separate fact from fiction. The truth is, though, that there's a lot of misinformation out there. Always question the source, and keep in mind the adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
Posted by Lisa at January 9, 2007 04:59 PM
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