Weight loss is not a simple science, but unfortunately, there are many rumors, myths, and untruths out there that suggest the opposite. And when it comes to losing weight ourselves, when we don’t get the results we expect, it can be incredibly disheartening.
At the end of the day, shifting those pounds safely takes time and hard work – you need to put an effort in to get results out. And it’s important to stick to the plan, even if it seems like you aren’t seeing the effects. Don’t let the following myths take you away from your overall aims.
The myth of the scales
Your scales might tell you how much you weigh, and there is an old saying that they never lie. But here’s our first myth, debunked: the scales do lie, and they certainly don’t tell the whole story. When you are on a new fitness regime, you will be building muscle to replace fat.
And given that muscles is denser than fat, you will often find that the scales don’t budge an inch, even after a couple of weeks of hardcore exercise. Weight loss will come eventually, as you burn off the stubborn fat around your waist, hips, and thighs, but when you are just starting out, you should focus on your figure, not the scales.
The myth of the diet
Fad diets that you do for a month or two might help you shift some pounds in the short-term. But long-term, they will do nothing for you. Avoid quick-fix diets and focus instead on making positive lifestyle changes, that you can actually sustain for the rest of your life.
Changing your eating habits rather than putting yourself through a grueling diet is a lot more fun, anyway – you’ll find that you can treat yourself every now and again and that no food that you enjoy will be strictly off limits as long as you only eat them once in awhile.
The myth of supplements
While I don’t believe in supplements and magic bullets for weight loss, I accept that a lot of people try them – and some might have success. But bear in mind that a regular pill alone isn’t going to help; you also need to introduce various lifestyle changes.
If you are using HCG pills, for example, you also need to use an HCG diet plan if you want results. And even things like protein shakes will only help you put on muscle and lose weight if you are prepared to exercise on a regular basis.
The myth of exercise
You can spend an hour – or even longer – with moderate exercise and feel like you are making progress. But the reality is that activity burns off fewer calories than many people think.
Go for a burger and fries after your workout, and you will destroy any progress you have made – and by some distance, too. A single Subway Melt with all the toppings and a honey mustard contains somewhere in the region of 400 calories.
To put that into perspective, it would take you something like an hour of circuit training just to burn off – it’s a lot of hard work! So, never assume that exercise will help you lose weight without introducing dietary changes. Yes, you will get fit, healthy, and feel good about yourself. But if your goal is to lose weight, you will get better and easier results from watching what you eat.
