10 Weight Loss and Exercise Myths Explained!

You've tried almost every "diet" known to man, but your weight loss goal has not been achieved. Or maybe you've dropped weight but then put it back on quickly. It seems like there is an unending war that you are unable to prevail in. Does this sound like you? Give up berating yourself endlessly in frustration!

Most likely, you simply lack the knowledge necessary to successfully accomplish your weight loss objectives. It's easy to feel like you're drowning in diet misinformation because there are so many of them out there. Using the power of knowledge and separating fact from myth is the first step toward success.

Learn what is real and what isn't in the realm of diet and fitness below to help you get started on the road to long-term weight loss and healthy living. Test your knowledge by taking the quiz below to find out what it really takes to beat the scale. Check if your response to each question is true or false. Then, continue reading to see if your guess was correct.

1. It's a Good Idea to Skip Meals.
2. You Can Lose Weight in Specific Areas of Your Body.
3. Eating Late at Night Increases Your Body Fat.
4. You Can Eat as Much as You Like if It's Fat-Free.
5. Losing Weight Will Happen Faster If You Eat Less Than 1200 Calories.
6. Salads Are Always A Great Option When Eating Out.
7. Even Without Exercise, You Can Lose and Maintain Weight.
8. You Need A New Diet If You Only Lose One Pound Every Week.
9. It's Not a Good Idea to Work Out Every Day.
10. You Should Hold Off on Strength Training Until You've Lost Weight.

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1. False. This myth is based on the assumption that you will eat fewer calories overall. In actuality, you will most likely consume the same quantity, if not more. Your blood sugar is lowered when you skip meals. Having low blood sugar typically causes extreme hunger. In exchange, you wind up overeating and most likely choosing poorly when those hunger pangs hit. You can better regulate your appetite and blood sugar levels by eating several small meals throughout the day.

2. False. Your spare tire won't go away even if you labor over 200 sit-ups a day. The body loses fat in equal amounts throughout. You can't work on just one area of your body in an effort to lose that extra fat. A trouble spot can only be helped by concentrating on total fitness, which includes strength training, aerobic exercise, healthy eating, and more. That is the only method for cutting excess fat.

3. False. Your weight is not determined by when you eat. How much you eat is all that matters. Finding the balance between calories consumed and calories expended is crucial. You must strike the correct balance between your food intake and exercise regimen. You will store excess calories as fat if you consume more than you expend. Whether you eat at night or not, that is accurate.

4. False. A calorie is a calorie is a calorie for the most part. Yes, it is a little more complicated than that, but just remember that you will gain one pound for every 3,500 extra calories you consume that you do not burn off. Does it make a difference if there are 3,500 calories without any fat? Not at all. All that matters to your body is that you consumed those extra calories. Moreover, fat makes you feel full.  If you don't consume enough of it, you might experience constant hunger and consume more calories than you would have if you had initially eaten something that contained fat.

5. False. In actuality, the opposite might occur. Your body will adjust to consuming less food if you consume too few calories per day, which will slow down your metabolism. It's possible for the body to believe it's "starving" and hold onto every food scrap in order to survive. When you start eating regularly again, your body requires less calories, so even though you are eating less, you wind up gaining more weight.

6. False. There are times when a burger would be a better choice than a salad. Salads at many restaurants are drowning in dressings that are heavy in fat and calories. Furthermore, they frequently include fatty toppings like bacon bits and croutons. If you decide to have a salad, make sure the toppings and dressing won't throw off your calorie-counting efforts.

7. True. When it comes down to it, the disparity between intake and output is what causes weight loss. You should be able to lose weight as long as you are burning more calories than you are taking in. Exercise is therefore the best strategy even though it's not necessary. Research has repeatedly shown that individuals who exercise and stick to a healthy calorie intake lose weight more successfully and are more likely to keep it off. Furthermore, it would be absurd to lead a healthy lifestyle without engaging in exercise given its numerous health advantages.

8. False. Actually, losing 1-2 pounds a week is a great weight loss rate. It's highly likely that it won't last if you lose more than that. You'll simply get it back in the end. When you lose weight at a rapid pace, typically you end up losing water weight and lean mass. You want to lose fat. So, even though the scale may show less, you won't be as healthy and won't look as good.

9. True. Exercise doesn't have to be done every day of the week. Yes, it's fantastic if you can engage in some kind of physical activity every day. It's crucial to allow your body time to rest so that it can heal and get better. For instance, you shouldn't lift weights and use the same muscles every day. They require time to relax. Daily, high-intensity cardio exercises can also exhaust you. Resting one day per week is beneficial.

10. False. Maintaining good fitness requires strength training. Whether the goal is to gain muscle, maintain a current weight, or lose weight, almost everyone should incorporate some form of strength training into their weekly routines. And, muscle actually helps your metabolism (e.g. helps you burn calories), so you should do it as part of your weight loss plan.