We’re so inundated by advertisements for weight loss programmes, tips and products that it’s easy to lose track of what’s real and what’s fake on the quest to lose weight. Here are three of the most common misconceptions or myths my clients have asked me about over the years.
Have a read through these and see if any sound familiar…
Myth #1 If you “eat clean”, you WILL lose weight
FALSE. Clean eating is largely a good idea – after all, it usually means more vegetables, salads, fruit, lean protein, home cooked food. That’s good for your health. But if you think that eating healthy, “clean” foods will automatically lead to weight loss, you’ve fallen for a major myth! All foods contain calories, and you can easily overeat on clean eating favourites like avocado, nuts, coconut oil, salmon….not to mention so-called healthy snack bars and paleo protein products!
Truth: eating clean is a good aim, and “clean” foods will contain useful nutrients and vitamins. But to lose weight, you need to be in a calorie deficit. So be aware of energy balance, no matter what foods you choose to eat.
Myth #2 You need to cut out “bad foods” to lose weight
FALSE. There really are no “good” or “bad” foods. Food is food, some of it contains more calories (gram for gram) than others, and some of it is higher in sugar/fat. But labelling some foods as good and some as bad won’t help you lose weight. In fact it could set you up for failure. If you cut out things you really enjoy, your weight loss efforts will be miserable. You’ll feel like a martyr. There will be no enjoyment to it. And how long do you think you’ll be able to stick at it?
Truth: There are no good or bad foods, but you need to use common sense (and portion control). A successful weight loss diet is one you can stick to and follow consistently without developing cravings and unbearable urges for “forbidden” foods.
Myth #3 You have a slow metabolism
FALSE. I’m sorry, I wish this was true. But it’s not. You see, metabolism isn’t set in stone. It’s part of us, changing and shifting throughout our lives due to a ton of different factors. Nobody has a slow (or fast) metabolism and nothing is set in stone. If you think you have a slow metabolism, the truth is that you are not helping your metabolic rate help you!
Truth: Your daily metabolic rate – the amount of calories your body burns – can be improved. Whatever age, gender, weight, height you are. Move more. Walk more. Sit less. Do more manual chores. Be a more active person. When you train, train hard. Be honest with yourself.
Remember, no one single food can make you fat (or make you slim).
Carbohydrates won’t make you fat.
Sugar won’t make you fat.
Fat won’t make you fat.
It’s all about energy balance, portion control, and the bigger picture!
Coach Joseph Webb.
‘The number one rated Personal Trainer In Henley and Oxfordshire’
