Https www NIDDK NIH gov health Information Weight management Myths Nutrition physical activity

Do you have big plans for changing your diet and exercise routine? Or maybe you're looking for a quick weight-loss fix that has lasting results. If so, don't let your goals get polluted with these common diet and exercise misconceptions.

Diets are hard: Myth

Dieting doesn't have to mean short-term suffering. Your diet, or what you eat, is not temporary. It’s what you choose to put into your body every day for the rest of your life.

There are easy ways to kick your eating habits back into shape. Be thoughtful about your food choices. It could be as simple as eating fewer calories or replacing an unhealthy snack with a healthier one. 

Exercise is more important than food to lose weight: Myth

No amount of exercise can make up for a bad diet. Exercise doesn’t earn you a brownie. While exercise is the most important habit to improve overall health, it’s only responsible for 20 to 30 percent of a person's weight. Look at it this way: 70 to 80% of weight loss will occur based on what you're preparing in the kitchen, and 20 to 30% will be based on your workouts in the gym. 

Some foods are forbidden: Myth

If you want a donut for breakfast, eat a donut for breakfast—just be mindful of what you're eating the rest of the day (think fruits, vegetables, and whole grains). We all like to indulge in our favorite treats, and creating a list of forbidden foods just sets you up for failure when you give in to the craving. Ask yourself, “Is this worth the calories? Figure out the smallest amount you could eat to satisfy the craving. 

Weight loss comes in a bottle: Myth

There are many products out there claiming they’re the next big weight-loss discovery. Two professors of complementary medicine, Max Pittler and Edzard Erst, (2004) published a systematic review of the most commonly touted natural weight-loss aids and products. They looked at chitosan, chromium picolinate, Ephedra sinica, Garcinia cambogia, glucomannan, guar gum, hydroxymethylbutyrate, plantago psyllium, pyruvate, yerba maté, and yohimbe. Their conclusion was straightforward:

"The evidence for most dietary supplements as aids in reducing body weight is not convincing. None of the viewed dietary supplements can be recommended for over-the-counter use". Don't count on the next miracle drug to solve your poor diet and lack of exercise.

Related: Here's How to Create a Healthy Diet

I need to be my “ideal” weight: Myth

We’re human beings who don’t fit into the same mold. Good health can’t be generalized into body fat percentage, waist circumference, body mass index, and weight. They're good guidelines, but numbers don’t reflect reality.

There are many variables that can affect our weight—from genetics to stress. We can sabotage ourselves by not exercising, eating poorly, and losing sleep, but there are many things out of our control. Your ideal weight shouldn’t be a number—it should be whatever weight helps you live the healthiest life possible.

Lots of cardio for weight loss: Myth

Yes, cardio or aerobic exercise do burn a lot of calories while you’re exercising. But what about when you’re not exercising? If you increase your muscle mass, your overall metabolism increases and you’ll burn more calories throughout the day during your normal daily activities. All of your muscle fibers need calories to stay alive!

Muscle loss starts to happen in your thirties and decreases 3 to 5% per decade. After the age of 50, it can be upwards of 1 to 2% per year. Muscle loss can have a negative effect on your metabolism and regular strength training is the best way to prevent it. 

While you're here, check out our other articles on healthy living. For information on our medical and dental plans, visit selecthealth.org/plans.

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Https www NIDDK NIH gov health Information Weight management Myths Nutrition physical activity

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What is the 80/20 Rule weight?

What is the 80/20 diet? In “The 80/20 Diet,” Australian nutritionist, chef, and personal trainer Teresa Cutter writes that you can lose weight if you eat nutritiously 80 percent of the time and allow yourself to indulge in less healthy food for the remaining 20 percent of your meals.

What is the 80/20 rule in diet and exercise?

The 80/20 rule is a guide for your everyday diet—eat nutritious foods 80 percent of the time and have a serving of your favorite treat with the other 20 percent. For the “80 percent” part of the plan, focus on drinking lots of water and eating nutritious foods that include: Whole grains. Fruits and vegetables.

What are the 3 important formula for weight management?

The Magic Formula for Weight Loss.
Find out how many calories your body needs each day to maintain your current weight. ... .
Reduce your daily calorie intake by between 500 to 1,000 calories. ... .
Remember that anything can be exercise. ... .
Repeat step 1 every week to discover your new daily calorie intake..

What are the 5 strategies to manage weight?

5 Ways to Reach a Healthy Weight.
Skip the sugary drinks. ... .
Exercise. ... .
Reduce screen time. ... .
Watch portion sizes. ... .
Eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day. Fruits and veggies are about more than just vitamins and minerals..