Dispensing Weight Loss Myths

Trying to lose weight is just as difficult as trying to quit smoking. When it comes to weight loss, many people are ignorant of what weight loss really is and so waste a great deal of money trying out the latest fad diets, join weight loss clinics, pop diet pills or hope somehow to shed pounds by reading product labels and counting calories.

But none of these methods work very long. Many believe the myths propagated by the industry that keep them from losing the weight they want. They cut out calories, eat less and avoid snacking when hunger hits. While these myths contain some element of the truth, you need to understand what not to believe about them so you can lose weight. Once you understand how to shed unwanted pounds, you will succeed and keep the weight off permanently.

Cut out fat to lose weight. That's a generalized statement. When we think of fat, we think of all fats, both the saturated and unsaturated kinds. The truth is that we need some fat in the diet. What we need to avoid are the saturated fats, the trans fats as are found in margarine, marbled beef and those delectable burgers served up as fast food. We cook and fry our foods in saturated fats. Good fats are seldom a part of the average diet. The best way to distinguish between good fat and bad fat is that bad fat tends to stay solid at room temperature. Foods that contain good fats are olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocados which are also good sources of fiber and protein.

Skip meals to lose weight. Many people skip breakfast for this reason. But breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. But skipping a meal has the a reverse effect. You eat more because you are hungry and you eat more of the wrong food. Skipping meals is less important than avoiding those foods that come loaded with fat and sugar. It's the quality of food that is eaten that adds to the weight and most people eat a highly refined diet. You should eat three meals of wholesome, organic food and you are more likely to lose weight.

Remove all dairy foods from the diet: Eggs were considered bad for their cholesterol. Yet they are considered today as a perfect food. Milk, cheese and other dairy products certainly contain fat, but it depends on the kind of fat they contain and how much of it you eat. Fresh unpasteurized milk is more healthy than milk that has been homogenized, pasteurized and come from cows who have been fed growth hormones to produce more. One egg a day is not going to significantly raise cholesterol levels. Worried about cheese? Switch to low-fat cheeses and low-fat plain yogurts that aren't loaded with sugar.

Use willpower to lose weight: Few people have the discipline to stick to a diet plan until they've achieved their objective. Even worse, they don't have the strength to stick with a diet to insure the weight doesn't return. Today's world is filled with temptations. You'll need a good deal of support from others if you want to shed the pounds.

Drink water to lose weight. The idea to drink water is a good one as few people drink enough of it. The myth stems from the fact that water fills you up. If you drink a glass before a meal, you'll be less likely to overeat and thus lose weight. However, gulping down glasses of water can tax the kidneys but won't do much if you're eating the typical diet of North Americans today.

In order to control weight and shed those unwanted pounds, you need to know the real reasons for weight gain. And it's not completely due to a faulty diet. But once you dispose of the myths, you have a better chance of shedding that weight and keeping it off.