Myths About Weight Management

You will often hear a variety of advice about weight management. How to lose it, how to keep it off, what to do, what not to do, what you should eat, what you shouldn’t eat, and more. While this advice may come from a well-meaning place, it’s often incorrect. Here is a list of some of the most common weight management myths you may have heard, and the truth behind them.

Weight Management

· All Calories Are Equal – A calorie is a way to measure energy, and all calories have the same energy content. This does not mean though, that all sources of calories affect your weight in the same way. Each food you eat is processed differently in your body and can have a variety of effects on your weight and hunger. Protein calories, for instance, can boost your metabolism, reduce your appetite and cravings, and optimize the functioning of weight-regulating hormones.

· Losing Weight Happens in A Linear Way – People may assume that losing weight happens in a downward way on a chart. This is simply not the case. Weight fluctuates frequently, and some weeks you may have lost a few pounds while others you may have gained a few. If the overall trend is downward, you will still succeed in your weight management goals long-term.

· Eating Less and Moving More Is Good Advice – In order to lose fat, you need to have more calories leave your body than you take in. As such, eating less and moving more seems like sound advice. However, those with serious weight problems who follow this advice often end up gaining it back. To lose weight properly, you need to balance your metabolism, balance your hormones, change your behaviour, your thoughts, your diet, and your exercise habits.

· Carbs Make You Gain Weight – The obesity epidemic really started in the 1980s, but humans have been eating carbs long before then. It is the type of carbs that causes the weight gain. While low-carb diets can help with weight management, whole foods that contain complex carbs are very healthy for you.

· Fat Is Bad for You – Fat in itself is not necessarily fattening. If you’re eating healthy fats, it should not make you gain weight. The context in which you’re eating fat, such as a high-calorie, bad fat junk food, is what will have the most impact on your weight.

· Fast Food Is Fattening – While some options are not good for you, there are some places that can provide healthier alternatives. You can order a burger without the bun, choose salads as a side or a main instead of fries, or select restaurants that serve better weight management options overall.

· Obesity is Unhealthy, Thin Is Healthy – Obesity is associated with health risks. However, there are some people with obesity who are healthy, and thin people who suffer from diseases. It depends on where the fat builds up in your body. Fat under your skin is more of a cosmetic issue, while fat in the abdominal area around the organs is associated with higher health problems.

· Achieving better health

· Learning about holistic nutrition

· Studying the Science of Food, Anatomy & Physiology, Nutrient Composition, & more

· How to become a holistic nutrition resource for others

· Pursuing a professional certification in holistic nutrition

· Three Ways to Effectively Manage Your Weight

· Does Carb Cycling for Weight Loss Work?