There’s so much information out the world about weight loss and fat burning, unfortunately ALOT of it is not true and most is made up to scam vulnerable mainly women in to buying a product that will magically make them loose weight over night whether thats a magic pill, detox diet, fitness magazines or even fitness programs by so called “fitness gurus” or influencers.

 

This blog is intended to bust 5 weight loss myths so that next time you see or read these you will recognise the scam.

 

1. YOU CAN PICK WHERE YOU LOSE FAT FROM BY WORKING OUT THAT PART OF YOUR BODY!

This is called “spot reducing” fat and its a big fat lie. This claim you will mainly see on front covers of magazines , on Home Shopping channels or even on some Fitness programs to help sell you the dream of getting that six pack by doing a certain mid-section or abdominal workout or to “trim” a certain part of your body by doing a certain workout.

 

Yes, you can train a certain muscle group to help increase the strength or tone of those areas but it will have zero effect on whether you will burn fat from that area of the body.

 

To put it simple fat loss occurs randomly over the body when exercising – you cannot choose where it will happen. 

 

2. EATING CARBS WILL STOP YOU LOSING WEIGHT!

Ahh poor old carbs get a bad wrap out there in the big world but for no good reason.

 

Yes, refined carbs such as sugar or white bread have been linked to weight gain and are not healthy but you do require carb in your diet to maintain long term weight loss and overall health. 

 

To put it simple: Low carb, high protein diets will make you lose weight but long term our bodies require carbohydrates and if you cut them out completely your body will find it harder to process them once you re introduce them which is why you see so many people regain more weight than they originally lost after completely “fad diets” . Its a roller coaster for your body so instead just eat whole unrefined carbohydrate foods in moderation such as brown rice, quinoa or fruits and veggies. I promise you will still lose weight just by being healthy and eating everything in moderation.

 

3. FASTED CARDIO WILL BURN MORE FAT!

Here we go.. I may get slammed by many of you who follow some of the big names in fitness programs but studies have proven that “Fasted Cardio” does not actually burn more fat than cardio after you’ve eaten unless you workout at around 50% (so a moderate walking pace) for longer than 90 minutes. 

I’ll put my hand up and say that yes I do do fasted walks in the morning sometimes but that’s only because I enjoy going for a walk before I eat – I find it works better for me. 

So if you’re hitting the gym early morning to run on the treadmill, attend a group class or do any form of exercise I highly recommend eating first – you will not be able to work out as hard and in turn your “fat loss” will probably be less plus you will be burning precious muscle without food to burn.

 

4. LIFTING WEIGHTS WON’T HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT – YOU SHOULD ONLY DO CARDIO!

WRONG! Weight lifting raises your resting Metabolic rate (gives you a metabolism boost) and keeps you fat burning long after you finish your workout.

Always add in weight sessions when training for the weight loss, strength gaining and muscle toning benefits.

 

5. CUT OUT ALL FATTY FOODS

Eating fat doesn’t make you fat – eating excess calories will make you fat. And in fact eating good fats such as avocado, fish or nuts in moderation will actually help in the process by providing huge nutritional benefits and keeping you fuller for longer which will help stop you from snacking too often. 

Also, try to avoid buying “diet” or “low fat” foods which are usually full of sugar or artificial sweeteners that are not good for you and instead eat a well balanced diet of fresh, unprocessed foods.