When it comes to weight loss, there are many myths and different truths to recognize from fad dieting to misused exercise, which can make it difficult to get the results you want.
One of the biggest myths about weight loss is that you need to eat low-fat or non-fat foods and constantly count calories, however this comes with its own misconceptions. Usually the problem with low-fat or non-fat foods is that while cutting out fat, these products usually contain a lot more sugar added to retain their flavour. Another problem with these products is that the natural fats are replaced using hydrogenated oils, making it overall less healthy for you. All of these factors also usually result in these foods being high in carbs and having an equally high caloric count to the original product. Yet, we believe that we can eat more because it is a “light” food.
Another widely accepted myth for many people is eating less meals will help you achieve weight loss, however more often it accomplishes the exact opposite while also degrading your health. By skipping meals and eating less, your body reacts by slowing your metabolism rather than losing weight and holds on more aggressively to any fat you may have. This is because while you are eating less, your body is getting the message that you must be starving, and then holds on to any fat to keep you alive longer, making any food you do eat much harder to burn off.
Your metabolism also works to turn food in to energy but the slower your metabolism becomes from eating less, the less likely it is for food to become energy. The result is food being stored as fat and having low energy overall, which will have a lasting impact on your physical health.
Fad diets have long been regarded as a fast jump start to a healthy lifestyle and significant weight loss, however they serve only as a temporary solution. When you diet as opposed to leading a healthy lifestyle, you are most likely losing the same amount of muscle as you are fat. Having muscle is important because it makes your resting metabolic rate (RMR) higher which means you burn fat easier even when you are not exercising. Losing muscle slows your body from burning calories and makes you more likely to gain what you’ve lost plus a few extra pounds.
Weight loss can be difficult to achieve at times, especially when there are many different sources that give sometimes contradicting information. The best solution is to expand your own knowledge of health and weight loss to achieve the results you want and establish good health.
Dr. Kelly Farnsworth has over 30's years experience and has a profound knowledge of why dieting and weight loss trends like this don’t work. He has been very successful in helping patients achieve their desired body image while maintaining health by making a plan that works with their body, and inspires people to partner with him for better health results.
To book a consultation with Dr. Farnsworth directly, call 604-681-8380
