Diet Myths Debunked!

Hi everyone! You know what I find interesting? The fact that people survived and thrived back in the old days before our society became obsessed with losing weight and getting fit! We get bombarded daily with everything under the sun that will help us get healthy----information on how to eat, when to sleep, how to breathe just to name a few! The fact is that people did survive just fine without all the weird, suspicious so-called "tips" we all have heard and possibly fallen prey to at one time or another. So don't be tricked. According to the American Council on Exercise here are some common diet myths that some folks follow hoping to shed a few pounds:

Common Myths

• Eating late at night will cause you to gain weight
• You should eat each food group separately for optimal digestion
• Low-carb, high-protein/no-fat diets are optimal for weight reduction
• Carbs are bad for your health and cause weight gain, and therefore should be avoided
• Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight
• The number of meals eaten each day---3 square meals, or 5-6 small meals---has a huge impact on weight management.
• Grapefruit will speed up your metabolism
• Rapid weight loss can be maintained
• You have to stop eating your favorite foods to lose weight

The Truth

Losing weight and achieving your health goals require your commitment and effort. Ultimately, lifestyle behavior changes are normally required to maintain weight loss and anything above 1-2 pounds per week is difficult to keep up. So for healthy weight loss you need to:

1. Get moving! Increase your activity level with an exercise program that makes you comfortable but also challenges you.  Park further from the entrance when you go places, walk up stairs instead of taking an elevator. Even simple things make a big difference. For example, sometimes I don't have more than 30 minutes available in my day to work out at the gym. The important thing is to use whatever time you do have effectively. Work up a sweat, even if it's just for a short increment of your time.

2. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who will support your weight loss goals. It is extremely difficult to focus on health and nutrition when the people around you are trying to sabotage your efforts. Encouragement is key, especially from close friends and family. If you know someone with similar weight loss goals, make him or her your diet or workout buddy. This makes each of you accountable to the other. I do this with my sister and my best friend and honestly, if I didn't have them cheering me on I don't think I would be as successful as I have been.
Remember! We all should practice Healthy Living Over 50!