Weight Loss: 4 diet myths you have to stop believing

Losing weight is hard and most of us are willing to try anything in order to get it off. Let’s face it: no one wants to be overweight, and when you see your friends doing something that seems to work, you will most likely jump on the bandwagon.  Who doesn’t feel like they are always looking for the “magic weight loss pill?”  Here are 4 diet crutches that I am asked about on a daily basis that not only don’t work, but actually may have you weighing more then when you started.

1. GOING LOW-CARB…People on low-carb diets initially drop weight as they lose water in their body, not from losing fat.   At the end of the day, the amount of calories the person consumes and how well they are able to actually to stick to a healthy diet plan is what will determine success. The lower your carb intake, the greater your risk for dehydration, constipation, and bad breath. This is one weight loss fad you can definitely skip!

2. USING A WATER PILL…Diuretics are no better for your system than laxatives, and the weight loss they provoke isn’t long lasting. “Diuretics force the kidneys to dump lots of water.   The weight lose comes strictly from water and triggers dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities.” Dieticians recommend staying hydrated all day long. A lot of times thirst is mistaken for hunger.

3. CLEANSING…Doing a cleanse may sound pretty simple. Lose weight fast by drinking liquids and eat little or no solid foods to “flush” out your system. But just because something is available doesn’t mean it works. Yes, you will see weight loss, but once you eat solid foods the weight will come back.   Your liver and kidneys remove toxins on their own, and a “cleanse” is unnecessary and even harmful to your body. If you are losing weight doing something you won’t be able to do the rest of your life, or even next month, it probably isn’t the smartest weight loss option. And in addition I have 2-5 new clients a week coming off “cleanses” that have either hurt their metabolism or have gained back more then they lost.

4. SKIPPING MEALS…When people skip meals, they think they are saving calories. But this habit always backfires! It can hurt your metabolism, and you tend to eat more later because you are starving. The answer is eating more small meals through the day to help dieters curb cravings and resist the urge to binge. I always tell clients your daily goal should be to eat more & weigh less!  If you are hungry throughout the day, you need to choose more filling foods that will keep you satisfied until your next meal.

Today is the day to stop these weight loss tricks and start on a healthy plan that you can continue as a way of life. If you are ready to EAT YOURSELF SKINNY, check out TheFittChick plan HERE!