Weight loss is challenging enough without how many myths there are floating around about it. Believing such myths about weight loss can make losing weight even more difficult – and may even lead to weight gain rather than weight loss.
It’s important to remember that everyone is different. What works wonders for one person won’t work at all for another. This is why it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional if you are trying to lose weight. That way, you can ensure that you are doing so in a healthy, sustainable way best suited to your body type and specific needs and goals.
We talked about common myths about weight loss in our previous blogs: Deceptive Myths About Weight Loss: Part 1 and Surprising Myths About Weight Loss: Part 2. Click on over there to learn more about myths such as: losing 30 lbs in 30 days, it being impossible to lose weight, snacking being unhealthy, and more. Then, continue reading to learn about more myths about weight loss.
Myth #1. You Can Only Lose Weight By Exercising
Exercise can certainly help your weight loss efforts, however, you can lose weight even if you don’t exercise. This is because in order to lose weight, you need to be consuming less calories than you are burning. Your body burns a set amount of calories each day just by existing. How many calories you need varies depending on your activity level, age, sex, height, weight, and more.
There’s a saying that weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. This is because the quality and amount of food you have is more important than how much you’re hitting the gym. Exercise is important to your general health, as the CDC recommends that adults exercise about 150 minutes a week. It can help with weight loss, but if you’re just exercising and not doing anything else, it will be very difficult to shed pounds.
The fact that exercise increases ghrelin levels affects this, as well. This is what makes you hungry. Combined with the fact that many people feel like they should reward themselves for exercising, you could end up overeating if you are relying on exercise alone to help you lose weight.
Myth #2. You Need To Diet
Many diets are fad diets, which can lead to you gaining the weight you lost right back after you stop them. Others are downright unhealthy and cut out entire food groups. Diets can certainly work, but it’s important that you work with a healthcare professional in order to determine the ideal diet for your specific needs. We’ve gone over how to know if a diet is good or bad in our previous blog, How Do You Know What Type Of Diet Is Best For You? 4 Important Questions Answered.
That said, you don’t need to diet in order to lose weight. What matters is that you are making healthy choices and consuming less calories than you are burning. Simply making an effort to consume balanced meals can help you lose weight – no diet necessary.
If you would like to try different diets, like keto, paleo, and the like, talk to your doctor to see if they are a good fit for you.
Myth #3. (Insert Nutrient) Is Bad For You
From carbs to fat and more, essential nutrients often get demonized. People think that eating fat makes you fat. However, these are called essential nutrients for a reason – your body needs them in order to function properly. Anything consumed in excess can be bad for you – even water!
However, carbs and fat and the like are all things that your body needs in order to function. Fat can help you stay fuller longer while carbs can provide your body with energy. Talk to your healthcare provider about your nutritional needs to know how much of each nutrient you should be consuming for optimal health.
Do You Need Help Losing Weight?
Losing weight is a lot easier said than done. If you’re struggling to lose weight, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider. Not only can they provide you with personalized advice, but they can also help with any underlying health issues that may be preventing you from losing weight.
Regeneration Health is here to help you on your weight loss journey. From diet advice to diagnosing underlying health conditions and more, we’re here to help you lose weight safely and sustainably. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.