| Weight loss advertisements are generally deceptive. It is easy to get confused andmislead. Hence it is important to help clear up confusions about weight loss, nutritionand physical activity. A registered dietitian or a qualified health professionalwill be able to advise a healthy eating plan and how to lose weight safely and moreimportantly how to keep it off. | | There is no single method for weight loss that can be completely relied upon. Weightloss, which is healthy and consistent, requires to be continuously monitored andwill be more successful when followed only in combination with one or more methods.Even a weight loss surgery can be termed successful only if it is followed by ahealthy eating plan.
With the present trend to be slim, several myths on weight loss are gaining popularity,particularly in women. A proper judgment of these and understanding their scientificbackground is advised. A few such myths are explained here.
|  | | Fad diets work for permanent weight loss: Diets that limit foodchoices or avoid certain food types are unhealthy as they deprive your body of importantvitamins and nutrients and lead to tiredness or anemia. Your body will be low onenergy, causing you to crave high-fat and high-sugar foods. This type of diet becomesvery boring and is difficult to sustain. Crash diets are unlikely to result in long-termweight loss. In fact, they can sometimes lead to longer-term weight gain.
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| High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets are a healthy way to lose weight:Abalanced diet is not achieved by eating only high protein foods likemeat, eggsand cheese. If the body is not sufficiently supplied withcarbohydrates, the bodyaccumulates partially broken-down fats in theblood. This leads to high levels ofuric acid, causing problems likegout (a painful swelling of the joints) and kidneystones. This becomesmore complicated in pregnant women and people with diabetesor kidneydisease.
| | Starches are fattening and should be limited: Certain starchy foodslike rice and potatoes are low in fat and calories and work as energy source forthe body. Eaten in the right quantities starch and carbohydrates will not causeweight gain; however, they are low in fiber and it is advisable to consume somegreen vegetables or whole pulses to add fiber into a refined carbohydrate meal,containing rice and potatoes.
|  | | Certain foods, like grapefruit, celery, or cabbage soup, can burn fat and make you lose weight:This is highly impossible as foods by themselves can not burn fat.Certain foods high in caffeine : A drug that stimulates the central nervous system . This is found naturally in coffee, tea, and chocolate .', WIDTH, 450, TITLE, 'Glossary', '', true, FADEIN, 300, FADEOUT, 300, STICKY, 1, OFFSETX, -20, CLOSEBTN, true, CLICKCLOSE, true)" href=# >caffeine can increase the rate of metabolism.Inorder to lose weight, the calorie intake maybe reduced and physicalactivity is to be increased—in other words, one has to create a negativecalorie balance. | | Herbal weight-loss products and slimming pills are safe and effective:All such marketed products even with the herbal tag are not necessarily tested orsafe. Some of these can cause serious health risks and may even prove fatal. Itis important to understand the role of these products and to check on their scientificevidence. They should only be used when prescribed by a doctor.
Low-fat or fat-free means no calories: The so-called processedlow-fat or fat-free foods have just as many calories as the full-fat version ofthe same food. Added ingredients such as sugar, flour or starch thickeners whichimprove flavor and texture often add extra calories. Hence reading Nutrition Factson foods may be enlightening. | | Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight: Skipping meals willresult in tiredness and poor nutrition. You may end up to snack on high-fat andhigh-sugar foods after a skipped meal. To lose weight and keep it off, reduce theamount of calories consumed or increase the calories burnt through exercise.
Eating after 8 p.m. causes weight gain: The physical activity carriedout during the day determines whether you gain, lose or maintain your weight. Thebody tends to store extra calories as fat. So a careful observation on any extracalorie intake should be made. However distractions while eating like television,playing video games or using the computer will often lead to overeating. |  | | Cutting out all snacks can help you lose weight: Many people needa snack in between meals to maintain energy levels, especially if they have an activelifestyle. Fruit or vegetables instead of chips, chocolate and other snacks willbe harmless.
Drinking water helps you lose weight: Water does not cause weightloss, but it keeps the body hydrated. Sometimes thirst can be mistaken for hunger;causing a person to eat more. Around 2 liters of fluid intake a day is ideal. |  | Some fancy exercise “machine-of-the-month” burns more calories than any other exercise:Caloricexpenditure is directly related to the amount of effort an activityrequires.In general, the more difficult it feels, the more calories youburn. Fat can not be reduced from a specific part of the body by doing anexercise for only that part of your body.
You burn more fat if you exercise on an empty stomach:Exercising on an empty stomach might leave you without any energy tocomplete the program.It is helpful to drink a glass of juice prior toworkouts, particularly in the morning. | 
| Finally, believe in yourself and be consistent without getting side-tracked by everynew crazy diet or exercise gizmo. Instead concentrate on healthy eating habits anddaily exercise.
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