Common Weight Loss Myths Busted (for once and all)
Weight loss advice is so common (and contentious) now. There are competing opinions everywhere.
There are too many weight loss myths out there. I’m going to tackle the top ones I come across in my practice.
Myth: You will lose weight by eating fewer calories.
Calories are important and matter when considering weight loss but calories are the symptom, not the cause. Let’s think about the reasons people eat more calories. Let’s focus on the causes.
People often eat too many calories, not because they’re physically “hungry”, but because they feel sad, lonely, tired or even bored. Some people eat too many calories because they’re happy and celebrating. Regardless of your “trigger” these feelings interact with our gastrointestinal, nervous and hormonal systems; all of which influence our calorie intake.
If you eat and absorb more than you use, then your brain will signal your body to store some for later.
Myth: “Eat less, move more”
Well, then we’re all in tip-top shape, right? Because people have been doling out this advice (myth) for years.
The premise of this is based on the above myth that calories in minus calories out
Even if people can happily and sustainably follow this advice (which they can’t!); it completely negates other factors that contribute to weight problems. Things like the emotional causes of overeating we mentioned above. Not to mention our genetics or health conditions we’re dealing with.
Myth: A calorie is just a calorie, (is just a calorie)
Or is it???
It’s important to understand that calories are energy and whether they come from processed junk food or from fruits and vegetables, you may find the same number of calories. However, what is important for weight loss is how those calories affect your body and how your body metabolizes those calories.
Science has confirmed several caloric components of food differ from others. For example, the “thermic effect of food” (TEF) is that some nutrients require calories to be metabolized. They can slightly increase your metabolism, just by eating them.
For example, when you metabolize protein you burn more calories than when you metabolize carbohydrates. Proteins and carbohydrates both have 4 calories/gram; but, the TEF of protein = 15–30%; and the TEF for carbohydrates = 5–10%.
Here’s another example of a calorie not being a calorie. Different fats are metabolized differently. Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), such as coconut oil, have the same 9 calories/gram that other fats do; but, they’re metabolized by the liver before getting into the bloodstream and therefore aren’t utilized or stored the same way as other fats.
Myth: Buy this supplement/tea/food/magic potion and you will lose weight
There is no magic pill for weight loss. No supplement, tea, food, or other potion will do the trick.
There are products that make these claims, and they’re full of garbage (or shall I say “marketing gold?”). The only thing you will lose is your money (and possibly your hope). So, please don’t believe this myth. There is a reason most people who lose weight can’t keep it off. The real magic is in adopting a sustainable holistic and healthy approach to living your life. What you need is a long-term lifestyle makeover, not a product.
Conclusion
Weight loss is hard! There are too many people out there trying to make it sound like they have the simple solution (or the latest and greatest!).
Don’t fall for the myths that say:
- You will lose weight by eating fewer calories.
- “Eat less, move more” is good
- A calorie is just a calorie, (is just a calorie).
- Buy this supplement/tea/food/magic potion to lose weight.
Wholey Fit Nutrition, LLC
www.wholeyfitnutrition.com
info@wholeyfitnutrition.com