Are you trying to lose weight but are not sure whether you should eat only cabbage or grapefruits, avoid eating after 8 p.m. or skip lifting weights so that you do not bulk up?
Making sense of the myriad of weight loss, nutrition and physical activity myths can be confusing.
To clear up the confusion, the experts at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) have created the science-based "Weight Loss and Nutrition Myths" fact sheet. Not only does it give you the facts behind popular weight loss, nutrition and physical activity myths, it may also help you make healthy changes in your eating and physical activity habits.
The truth is, there are no quick fixes to losing weight or toning up, despite what many popular books, plans or infomercials promise. While some people may want to lose weight quickly, a slow and steady weight loss is healthier and more likely to be maintained over the long term.
According to the brochure, fad diets may sometimes produce rapid results but most people quickly get tired of them and regain lost weight. Furthermore, losing weight at a very fast rate (more than three pounds a week after the first couple of weeks) may increase your risk for developing gallstones.
Diets that provide less than 800 calories per day also could result in heart rhythm abnormalities which can be fatal.
Research suggests that losing one-half a pound to two pounds a week by making healthy food choices, eating moderate portions and building physical activity into your daily life is the best way to lose weight and keep it off.
Adding in weight training will also increase your metabolic rate. And no, lifting weights will not make you "bulk up." Actually, by adding strength training to your workout, you replace fat with muscle, which burns more calories than body fat. The fact is, if you have more muscle, you will burn more calories - even when sitting still.
Author: Richard Lewis
Author Bio:
Learn more about Pycnogenol at www.pycnogenol.com. - NU
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