Weight Loss Myths: Two Sides to Every Coin
Weight Loss Myths: Two Sides to Every Coin
There are countless weight loss myths out there that are dying to be disproved. Listed below are some of the more popular ones that I’ve encountered in my weight loss research. They have been categorized under diet myths and exercise myths, respectively.
Diet Myths
There are tons of new diet programs out there that are itching to induct you into their sycophantic following. From high-carb to low-carb to no-carbs at all. The amount of hype about what to eat and what not to eat is dizzying in its variety and scale!
Diet Myth # 1 – Carbs are EVIL
First of all, there are two types of carbohydrates, simple and complex. Simple carbs sources consist of white bread, white pasta, carbonated drinks etc. Complex carbohydrates are gleaned from sources that include fruits, beans and leafy green veggies.
Carbohydrates are an essential part of our diet and it would be foolish to avoid them altogether because we would be losing our body’s main energy source. The important thing here is to distinguish between GOOD carbs and BAD carbs.
Simple carbohydrates have little to no nutritional value so avoid anything that has been overly processed and been added to until it has become unrecognizable.
Complex carbs, on the other hand, help our bodies produce energy for daily activities. So eat them. Just remember the adage about keeping everything in moderation.
Diet Myth # 2 – Fat is the Enemy
Like carbohydrates, there are good and bad fats out there. Fat is necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A, D, E and K. It is also a source of energy along with carbohydrates.
Bad fats are also known saturated fats. These are gleaned from animal products and by-products. These fats can clog arteries and cause a myriad of health problems.
Good fats consist of EFA’s or essential fatty acids, monosaturated and polysaturated fats. These fats can be found in vegetable products like olive oil and canola oil. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish.
Exercise Myths
Exercise myths abound in a world that is filled to the brim with technological products that encourage consumers to sit prettily on their behinds as what we require for sustenance and entertainment is conveniently delivered to our doorsteps.
The best way to disprove these myths would be to give exercise a try, but for those who would prefer a more black-and-white explanation, we tackle some of these myths and the facts behind them below.
Exercise Myth # 1 No pain, No gain
The most common deterrent for people when it comes to exercise is the age-old belief that pain is a necessary component in determining the effectiveness of exercise routines.
Though it is true that beginners will experience soreness and muscle stiffness for the first few days of working out chronic pain during workouts is not only highly irregular, it is also a cause for medical concern. The initial pain should lessen and then disappear after the body gets used to the new physical activity.
For those non-believers out there, keep in mind that exercise produces endorphins. Endorphins aren’t just for making people happy. They also act as natural painkillers. So take that, no pain, no gain movement.
Exercise Myth # 2 Exercise builds muscle mass – ergo, weight gain.
Though it is true that resistance training or strength training can build muscle mass, it does depend on the practice and amount of RT that is being done. Besides, there are other exercises out there that do not fall under the RT category. Cardiorespiratory training, for example, is an an exercise that burns both glucose and fat in the body.
So the next time someone comes at you with a weight loss myth, take it in with a grain of salt. There are always two sides to a coin and you owe it to yourself and your body to figure out which is more accurate.
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