Body goals and myths
With an increasing number of people who are prioritising looking after their physical health and improving body composition, achieving body goals is the next big thing. Fortunately for many of us, we have access to vasts amounts of knowledge which we can gain both online and from fitness professionals. However, information can sometimes be inaccurate, and since most people who want to make a change in their lifestyle are beginners, they end up believing the misinformation, and are left to go through many stages of trial and error. In this article, I will sort out the misinformation from the real facts by debunking a few weight loss myths.
Skipping meals
It’s not uncommon for people to skip meals in an effort to cut down on calories and lose weight. However, you lose weight by reducing your overall calorie consumption, or increasing your activity levels, not by missing out on an entire meal. Meals provide you with essential nutrients which boost your metabolism. Therefore, no meal means no nutrition, and a slower metabolism. Slower metabolism then translates to lower efficiency in burning calories, which means a higher chance of calories being stored as fat.
Fat-free foods
Fat-free food is a diet trend that is very popular. Claiming to help people consume regular food minus all the fat, these foods are a popular choice among those seeking to lose weight. The problem with fat-free foods is that they still contain other unhealthy ingredients like sugar, flour, salt, and thickeners, all of which add calories and can contribute to weight gain.
Ignoring all sugars
Sugar has been commonly misbranded. Unlike processed sugar that is present in foods like cakes, cookies, soft drinks and chocolates, natural sugars like those present in fruits are not bad for health, and can be beneficial to us. The natural sugar in fruit comes with a whole lot of vitamins and minerals which provide antioxidants that boosts your body’s functionality and fiber intake, which has been linked to long term weight loss.
Giving up carbs
While refined carbs that are present in foods like breakfast cereals, and baked goods might not be the healthiest option, the carbs found in whole foods like sweet potatoes, bananas, and oats are essential for weight loss. They provide you with fiber that keeps you satiated for longer, and reduce your feel good capacity, both of which prevent overeating or snacking.
