Losing weight is hard. If you’ve been trying to lose weight for a while, I’m sure you know what I mean. It’s not just about eating right or exercising more— it’s also about dealing with myths and misconceptions about weight loss. These myths can keep you from making progress — or even keep you from starting at all! Here are some common misconceptions that might be holding you back.
Myth: Losing weight is easy
The truth is that losing weight is not easy. It takes time and effort. You need to make a lifestyle change and be dedicated to your goals. You can’t just do it for a week or two and then stop; you have to put in the work every single day.
If you want to lose weight, you need to start by changing your mindset about food and exercise—and then take action!
Myth: Skipping meals can help you lose weight
Skipping meals can leave you feeling hungry and more likely to overeat later. The body needs regular meals to keep its metabolism going and maintain energy levels. This is why skipping meals is not a good way to lose weight. It may even lead to binge eating, as your hunger becomes worse than it was before you skipped a meal.
Myth: Carbs are bad for you
Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of energy, and they can be a major source of happiness. Carbs are the best food group to eat when you need to feel full and satisfied, which is why they’re often found in foods like pasta, rice, or potatoes. If your carbohydrate intake is low enough that you start eating fewer carbs than your body needs, then you might find yourself feeling tired or irritable as well as not being able to think straight.
Carbohydrate-rich foods are also great for your brain! Carbohydrates provide fuel for all brain activity—from simple things like moving around to complex tasks like learning something new or remembering facts about something.
Myth: You will gain weight back
One of the most common myths about weight loss is that you will always regain any lost weight. In fact, this isn’t true at all.
The reality is that diets don’t work for long-term weight loss because they are not sustainable, and your metabolism adapts to them quickly. If you stop following a diet for more than a few days or weeks, it’s likely that any weight loss will be regained within six months.
Instead of focusing on trying to lose weight through dieting alone, focus on making a lifestyle change instead. By finding ways to make healthier choices part of your everyday routine—and by making these changes last—you’ll find it much easier to maintain your new body shape over time.