Avoid These 6 Myths about Weight Loss

Perhaps you've considered going on a weight loss diet at various times in your life. Perhaps you held back because it seemed too difficult and complex. From what you hear and read these days, there are many myths about dieting. Read on to learn more about them, and why they're wrong.

1. The number one myth out there is that you can lose weight fast by eliminating as many calories as possible from your diet. As dieting methods go, this is pretty much the hardest on your health. Because your system believes there's a shortage of food, it won't let go of its fat very easily.

2. Another myth we face in our quest for a slimmer waistline is one that tells us to eat only one specific type of food. The cabbage soup diet has no doubt led to many binge episodes through its existence. Following dangerous fad diets means your body’s not getting the necessary nutrients it needs to fight off illnesses and stay healthy.

3. Perhaps you've read that you must never stray from your eating plan, even the tiniest bit. If you do, you’ll need to exercise for hours to make up for it. This just isn’t true. It’s okay to have a slice of pizza once in awhile. You only need to adjust your calorie intake for the day. If you indulged yourself a little too much, a punishing workout certainly isn't necessary.

4. One myth you may hear is the one that says you can’t eat before you go to bed, because you’ll get fat in your sleep. This just isn't the case, since dieting only involves healthy eating and restricting your daily calorie consumption. Having a light snack before bed isn’t going to make a big difference. That is, unless it's a three course gourmet dinner or a family size tub of ice cream.

5. Maybe you've heard of the one that tells you not to eat at all between established mealtimes? It's actually healthier if you do snack occasionally. Consume several mini meals through your day and your hunger won't overwhelm you. You only cause yourself to be overly hungry at mealtime when you don't let yourself snack. This can cause you to eat a lot more than you really need just to satisfy your hunger.

6. There’s another myth that says you shouldn’t consume any dairy products at all because they’re too fattening. However, don't ban dairy products from your refrigerator, because they are loaded with healthy substances that your body needs. In fact, some studies suggest those who consume dairy have better weight loss success. Just make sure you limit your amounts and go for the low-fat versions.

Try not to fall victim to the myriad of diet myths circulating the internet. By eating healthfully (as a general rule) and exercising regularly, you can achieve healthy weight loss.