1. To eat to lose
Many weight loss programs advise you to either drastically reduce your calories or eliminate certain foods and/or entire food groups in order to lose weight. The reason why this idea works for the weight loss industry and not for you is because depriving yourself causes short term weight loss (making you happy), but long term weight gain, causing you to spend more money and go back on the diet (making them happy).
This is a never ending cycle of you losing weight and gaining it back, while the only one coming out successful is the weight loss company promoting the diet. Drastically decreasing your calorie intake and skipping meals to lose weight will slow down your metabolism, which will actually hinder weight loss.
RELATED: RECOMMENDED PLANS FOR YOU2. Permanent weight loss takes time
If a weight loss program or product promises a large amount of weight loss in a short amount of time (i.e. lose 30 pounds in 30 days), you know that it is too good to be true. The truth is, weight loss takes time and a healthy rate of weight loss is about 1-2 pounds per week. If you are dropping pounds faster than that, you are likely losing water weight and/or muscle mass from lack of nutrition.
3. There is no “miracle” food or supplement
There is no single food, product or supplement that is your end-all, be-all solution for weight loss. The body simply does not work this way. A variety of factors are needed for a healthy weight loss program including a variety of healthy foods, portion control and exercise.
If you pick up a supplement that promises you can take a pill without correcting your diet and exercise regimen, put that product back on the shelf because it’s bogus!
Getting caught up in weight loss supplements could also be very dangerous, as supplements are not regulated by the FDA. In fact, it is not until a supplement hurts someone that it is taken off the shelf, so it’s best to avoid these at all costs and focus on eating nutritious foods and exercising daily.
4. Healthy eating + exercise for optimal weight loss
This is a classic case of “you can’t have one without the other”. In other words, if a weight loss program claims that you don’t have to exercise, or that you don’t have to change your diet, they are sure to be making false claims.
Not only does a combination of healthy eating and exercise promote optimal weight loss, but it is a power couple that will improve your overall health, including building lean muscle mass, increasing your metabolism as well as improving cardiovascular health.
5. Fat is not your enemy
Many people believe that dietary fat and body fat is the same thing, and if you eat fat in your diet it will directly end up as fat on your body. This is not true. The weight loss industry uses this misconception to their advantage by instructing you to cut out most or all of the fat from your diet in order to lose weight.
Fat shouldn’t get a bad rep though, because there are healthy fats that are in foods that are essential for good health and will help you lose pounds, not gain them. These are fats such as olive oil, avocados, nuts and fatty fish. However, there are certain fats that you should reduce in your diet, such as saturated and trans fats which are found in a variety of processed foods.
These fats are the ones that if eaten in excess can cause weight gain and adverse health complications leading to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. But keep in mind that not all fats are equal, and you need some fat each day to help you lose weight.
There are no short cuts to permanent weight loss. Stand strong against the false claims of the weight loss industry and you will gradually reach your goal weight and improve your health.