I’ll never forget how terrible I felt after restricting my meals to only one per day. It got to the point that I even had trouble sleeping because of my rumbling stomach. And in the end, I gained all my weight back. I got so upset, so I made a list of the most common weight loss myths.
Myth #1: Weight Equals Health
Body fat is just one of the many factors that affect your weight. Water, food, waste, age, and even what medications you take can all change the number on the scale.
Myth #2: Starving Is Good
Starving yourself might seem like the right thing to do, but it can back-pedal quickly. When your body doesn’t get enough calories, your metabolism slows down. You end up packing on more body fat and less muscle mass.
Myth #3: You Must Follow a Diet
Dieting creates an unhealthy relationship with food. Rather than following a diet, focus on making healthy decisions, like getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating fruits and vegetables.
Myth #4: High-Fat Foods Are Bad
Dietary fats cause weight gain and should be avoided, right? Nope! Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats lower cholesterol and help your body absorb vitamins. Top your plate with salmon, olive oil, or pumpkin seeds.
Myth #5: Carbs Are Bad
While it’s true that not all carbs are good for you (simple carbohydrates), complex carbohydrates like fiber keep you full and prevent constipation. Beans, avocados, and whole grains are excellent sources of fiber.
Sources
- Daily Weight Fluctuation Explained: Why the Scale Changes So Often. Your Weight Matters, 2021.
- Are Weight Fluctuations Normal? Right as Rain by UW Medicine, 2021.
- Find Out Why Metabolism Slows As You Age. Piedmont Healthcare.
- When Your Weight Gain Is Caused by Medicine – URMC. URMC – Rochester.
- How Eating Too Little Will Eat Up Your Fat-Loss Goals. ACE Fitness, 2015.
- Healthy Fats. Healthy UC Davis, 2020.
- Complex carbohydrates. MedlinePlus (.gov), 2022.
- Why Fiber Is So Good for You | Patient Education. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.
