Popular Myths In Weight Loss

Last week I wrote a post about myths in fitness, this week I wanted to break down some weight loss myths as well.  There are so many floating around that I can probably write a whole book about them, but I am going to focus on some of the most important ones.

Myth – You Have To Count Calories To Lose Weight

Fact: Counting calories is effective and it can help you lose weight, but you need willpower to do it and be very disciplined. If counting calories sounds too tedious for you, you can still lose weight – by choosing the right foods. It’s all about balance.

Myth – A Protein Bar Will Replace A Meal

The other day I got a letter from one of my subscribers on YouTube.  She told me that she’s been struggling with losing weight for a long time now, felt very frustrated and assured me that she eats very healthily.  I asked her what food she eats daily and she told me she replaces 2 of her meals with a protein bar, because she thought it was healthy.

Fact:Protein bars these days are practically the same thing as eating a candy bar.  If you really want to be healthy, eat real food.

Myth – Whole Grains Are Healthy And Won’t Make Me Fat

Fact: You might hate me for saying this, but whole grain pasta and bread have the same calories as any other. Two big bowls of so-called whole grain pasta are the same thing as eating a regular pasta.  Don’t be tricked by the whole grain label, it might be healthier, but ends up on your waist just as well.

Myth – Eating Too Many Fruits Makes You Fat

In Russia we have a saying: ” Pass me the fork so I can take all this spaghetti  out of my ears ” – this is exactly how I feel about this rumor.  I eat fruit in such high quantities daily that if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me, because the amount is quite ridiculous.

Fact : Fruits are and always will be very nutritious!  And they don’t make you fat, because of the ratio between volume and calories. Most fruits contain not that many calories, but still fill you quite up. Of course, if you eat junk food and then fruit on top of it then you will gain weight.  Not from the fruit, but from the junk food.

Now, if you want to stay clear of fruits high in calories, I recommend you staying away from dates, raisins, dried figs, and stick more to cherries, apples, apricots, fresh pears, plums, strawberries and grapes.

Picture courtesy of Brett Jordan.