We know shedding a few kilos is a struggle, keeping that weight off of you is a fight as well. While you have to put up with undue advice from one and all, keep these myth-busters in mind so no one can distract you from your goal of a healthier, fitter body.
1. OBESITY IS ABOUT WILLPOWER NOT BIOLOGY
Obesity is a very complex disorder. There are many genetic, biological & environmental factors that have a major effect on body weight. It is not about will power.
2. ‘EAT LESS, MOVE MORE ‘ IS A GOOD ADVICE
Telling people with weight problems to just “eat less, move more” is ineffective advice. It rarely works in the long term. It’s like telling someone with depression to cheer up.
3. CARBS MAKE YOU FAT
Low-carb diets are very effective for weight loss. However, carbs are not the root cause of obesity in the first place. The truth is whole foods that are high in carbs are very healthy. The key is to pick those carbs that are healthy and skip those that aren’t.
4. FAT MAKES YOU FAT
Fat has often been blamed for the obesity epidemic, but there is nothing inherently fattening about dietary fat. Yet, eating a lot of fat along with high content of carbs or a high calorie junk food based diet will definitely make you fat
5. EATING BREAKFAST IS NECESSARY TO LOSE WEIGHT
It is true that breakfast skippers tend to weigh more than breakfast eaters. Just bear in mind that you should eat when you are hungry, and you need to stop when you are full.
6. FAST FOOD IS ALWAYS FATTENING
Fast food does not have to be unhealthy or fattening. Most fast food chains offer some healthier alternatives to their main offerings, such as chicken skewers/ steak with baked potato or chicken salads with avocado dip. You need to pay attention to what you’re ordering and you’ll be fine.
7. DIETING ACTUALLY WORKS
Dieting usually doesn’t work in long term. Most people gain the weight back. If you manage to increase your activity levels, eat healthier (take professional help) & sleep better, then weight loss will be much easier.
8. DIET FOOD CAN HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT
A lot of junk food is marketed as healthy. Examples include low fat food, fat free foods, processed gluten free foods & disguised high sugar beverages. A good thumb rule – if the packaging of a food tells you it’s healthy then probably it’s bad for you.