Top 10 Exercise Myths

There’s an abundance of bad information out there when it comes to weight loss. Some of it’s misguided, some of it’s outdated, and some of it’s just plain wrong. I want to debunk the top 10 weight loss myths that could do you more harm than good in the long run.

1. If I sharply reduce my calories, I will lose weight faster. When you cut your calories drastically, your body goes into starvation mode. And when this happens, your metabolism SLOWS down rather than speeds up, making it more difficult to lose weight. Don’t starve yourself! Find out what your caloric intake should be, and stick to that number. 
2. Snacking is bad. You’ll be happy to know that snacking is actually good for you, since it helps regulate your blood sugar. When you gorge on three big meals a day, it can cause a blood sugar spike. Snacking on small, healthful foods throughout the day helps to keep your blood sugar on an even keel. Of course, make sure those are organic snacks you’re noshing on to avoid filling your body with toxins, chemicals, preservatives, and other nasty stuff. Remember, there are plenty of healthy snacks for you to enjoy. 
3. Cutting out carbohydrates will make you thin. A healthy diet incorporates roughly 45-65 percent of your daily caloric intake. It’s when you overeat complex carbohydrates, usually in the form of corn syrup and cane sugar, that weight gain becomes a problem. Switch to whole grains and stay away from white bread at all costs! Read more on high-fiber carbs and the Glycemic Index. 
4.  You can lose weight in a particular, isolated area. Ah, one of the most persistent weight loss myths there are! It’s simple—you can’t target certain body parts for weight loss. The energy you spend doing thousands of crunches will be disseminated throughout your body, not just your abdominal area. 
5. You have to work out two hours a day, every day at a high intensity to lose weight. Not true. Studies show that 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise—think brisk walking or jogging—is enough to stay fit with a healthy food intake. 
6. Fat is always bad for you (This is the myth that we’re busting – that all fats are bad for you). It’s true—too much fat will make you, well, fat. However, not all fats are bad for you, and some are necessary for good health. Eating unsaturated fats, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and monosaturated fats, in moderation, can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. You can find these “good” fats in olive oil, avocados, almonds, cashews, walnuts, and fatty fish like salmon, trout, catfish, and mackerel. As always, buy these food products organic! 
7. Brown eggs are better for you than white eggs. There is no nutritional difference between brown eggs and white eggs. Eggshell color has no impact on quality, flavor, or nutritional value. Choose organic eggs! 
8. Fat-free foods will not cause you to gain weight. It’s about calories, not if a food is “fat free.” Fat-free foods still have calories and if you’re taking in more than you burn off, then you will gain weight. However, there are guilt-free low calorie foods that you won't have to worry about loading up on. 
9. Eating after 6pm will cause weight gain. Whether you eat something at noon or midnight, it still goes in your stomach, right? It doesn’t matter when you eat, just how many calories you burn off during the course of time. 
10. To lose weight, I have to quit eating my favorite foods. You don’t have to stop eating the foods you love. You just have to watch how much of them you eat. Moderation is the key here. A little splurge now and then will help keep you motivated, so long as you’re disciplined about your diet in the long term. 

There are plenty of other myths out there – so do the research and be aware of misinformation, to know which mistakes to avoid while dieting.