Dieting and losing weight can be hard. And it’s not necessarily because it’s hard to eat healthy or exercise more – the rules are pretty straightforward, after all. There are several factors that can make it harder for someone to stick to a healthy diet and lose weight, but what makes it even more challenging is an avalanche of made-up principles and theories that are supposed to make it easier for you to lose weight. But in fact, all these myths floating around are harmful to anyone trying to get in shape, because they lead to people being confused and disoriented. As such, it’s not surprising that with so many rules to follow coupled with misleading information, people who want to lose weight are likely to give up.
In this article, our dietitian in Spring HIll is busting some of the popular misconceptions about dieting. Keep reading to find out if you’ve been fooled by these as well!
1. Myth 1: Tracking your macros is the only way to go
Tracking macros basically means you weigh and count the amount of fat, protein and carbs you consume in every meal. And while it’s important to eat a balanced diet, who would want to spend time before each and every meal trying to see what is the percentage of protein in their lunch?!
Well, according to our Spring Hill dietitian, you don’t need to know exactly how much macros you consume. All you need is a basic knowledge of food and what it consists of. If, for example, you know the main sources of protein, fat and carbohydrates, you will be able to roughly estimate if the meal you’re about to eat is balanced. And if ever in doubt – just eat the rainbow. Remember – the more NATURAL colors are on your plate, the more vitamins your meal has (and no, we don’t mean putting sprinkles on everything you eat!)
2. Myth 2: Drinking water only when you’re thirsty
Sorry to break that water bubble, but if you’re feeling thirsty, that means your body is already dehydrated. Water is like this magical, life-giving potion that we don’t give enough credit to, AND we don’t take full advantage of!
Here’s a tip from our dietitian: if you want to lose weight faster, drink at least 2 litres of water everyday. Here are just a couple of benefits of drinking water:
- helps muscle building (the more muscle you have, the faster you get rid of fat!)
- helps fight conditions such as fever, asthma, depression, joint inflammation, headache, stomachache, and acne
- helps you feel full longer
…and the list goes on. Need I say more?
3. Myth 3: You need at least 1 hour of cardio everyday
No, no, and once again – no. This is what our patients usually struggle with the most. ‘I hate running!’. ‘I don’t have time to spend hours in the gym everyday!’. The good news is – not only you don’t have to do that, but in fact, it’s better if you DON’T. First of all – too much exercise is going to overburden your body, hence make you tired, hungry and unmotivated. Plus, if the muscles don’t get the time to rest, they simply don’t grow.
According to our Spring Hill weight loss specialist, a 20-minute-long session of resistance training 3 times a week is enough to fight that stubborn belly fat. Squats, lunges, lifting weights – that’s what’s going to make you fit. Same goes if you are a woman – don’t worry, lifting weights a couple of times a week will not make you look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Instead, it will tone and slim your body in the way you’ve always wanted.
4. Myth 4: Skipping breakfast is an effective way to lose weight
You’ve already probably heard about intermittent fasting. For most people following this weight loss trend, it often means skipping breakfast. However, skipping meals, particularly breakfast, can make you feel hungry and tired. As a result, you might end up satisfying your hunger by eating junk food and high-calorie snacks.
Our dietitian recommends that you make sure you get enough nutrition by eating balanced meals throughout the day. It will also help to eat less portions or servings multiple times so you don’t get hungry and get tempted to eat junk food.
5. Myth 5: Snacking makes you fat
Snacking in particular is not evil. It’s what you eat when you snack that is to blame for weight gain and weight loss failure. As mentioned above, eating smaller portions of healthy meals multiple times a day can help curb hunger. These multiple meals include snacks. When you choose healthy foods such as vegetable salads, fruit slices and shakes, nuts, and yogurt, you can enjoy your snack break and stay full and energized.
6. Myth 6: All high-fat foods should be avoided
Not all fats are bad. In fact, your body needs fat to be completely healthy. This is why extremely low-fat diets are linked with health issues, such as metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.
The key to making fatty food work for you is to choose your fats wisely. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are the good fats. They can help lower your risk for diseases. These good fats can be found in naturally fatty foods, such as avocados, olives, nuts, and fatty fish. The kind of fat that you don’t want are trans fat and saturated fat, which are often found in processed foods.
Find out more about our Batista Weight Loss & Wellness
Our highly qualified weight-loss experts at Batista Weight loss and Wellness: Susan West-Opyoke, RDLD; John Batista, M.D.; Stephanie, M.A; and Valerie, Office Staff, together have decades of experience working with weight loss patients. They are passionate about promoting healthy living through their astonishing customized weight loss programs, which are clinically more developed – thanks to Dr. Batista.
We also offer the following services:
At Batista Weight loss and Wellness we believe that successful weight loss depends on two factors – the knowledge about how to lose weight and following through on your weight loss plan. Our experts will guide you all throughout the process by providing you with a customized weight loss plan. Regular face-to-face interaction will be a source of additional motivation to achieve your goals!
You may also consult with our virtual weight loss doctor for convenient and safe sessions while we’re in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you’re looking to lose weight and get back in shape, our dietitian is here for you. If you have any questions at all, or would like to make an appointment, visit our website or simply contact us.
Call us at (352) 600-3476 or drop us a visit! We are here: 497 Mariner Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34609, USA. We look forward to seeing you!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.