6 Diet Myths that could keep you from losing weight!

6 Diet Myths that could keep you from losing weight!

I remember the good old days back in the 80’s when my mom wanted to get on the diet wagon. The house would start to fill up with diet soda, diet yogurts, cottage cheese and Jane Fonda workout videos. I’m laughing to myself as I can remember one morning being woken up from a good sleep because the house was literally shaking! A very sleepy little Karie walking down the hallway to see her mom, sister AND brother doing the Jane Fonda aerobic exercises all while huffing and puffing… the lamps were literally bouncing off the end tables… seriously funny! Too bad we didn’t have smartphones then to post that scene on social media!

I would sit quietly on the couch…waiting for the TV to be freed up so I could watch the smurfs wondering what the big deal was all about? Why was my mom on this health kick all of a sudden?

I write this article with love and clarity as I help those with so many misconceptions about dieting. The word itself has DIE in it… that’s clue #1.

Being on a DIET…for starters is a myth. Temporary changes do not lead to permanent results. It’s a LIFE CHANGE my dear friends, one I can help you create.

Let me help you get to the bottom of the advice your nearest friend may be giving you or the headline of a magazine that may be enticing you. Always consider the source… are they a dietician, nutritionist, health coach? IF not… disregard and let those of us that have actually transformed our bodies and have a degree in natural health lead you to the divine truth.

Myth #1

I will lose weight if I eat Sugar Free, Fat Free and Calorie Free foods.

(Insert buzzer noise here) WRONG!

First of all, nature designed sugars, fats and calories for a reason. You need all 3 in your diet to synergistically digest and absorb nutrients.  So why would you want to eat anything without the best natural source?

Nothing is actually “Free” is the trick to this media grab at the grocery store. Don’t get sucked into their selling tricks. They know you are busy, stressed and trying to lose weight without having to take a crash course on naturally losing weight. Let the experts guide you…

Sugar free is replaced natural sugar with chemicals. This chemical actually excites your neurons in your brain – to death. These wonderful chemicals are killing your brain cells. See references to my favorite Neurosurgeon Dr. Russell Blaylocks book. “Excitoxins, the taste that kills” by watching this Youtube presentation.

Secondly… fat free is usually replaced by olestra. Olestra is also known to give you serious indigestion- because your body is trying to figure out what the heck you just fed to it! Have you ever noticed that these foods have warning labels on them? That’s a red flag to me. I’ve never seen a warning label on a stalk of broccoli or a bag of carrots?

Calorie free foods are not even worth munching on unless it has fiber, protein and other sources of natural vitamins and minerals. If you’re looking for a snack just to munch on something salty, ask your nutritionist for a better source. Never put anything in your mouth that isn’t going to benefit your health overall.

Myth #2

I can eat whatever I want as long as I workout

Oh man! Where is that buzzer at?? WRONG!! This comment brings out my crazy side.

Studies have PROVEN that eating clean and being aware of the nutrition you are feeding yourself and never working out, is actually better than filling up on fast food and hitting the gym everyday.

The reasons behind this… you can’t repair the damage you’ve done from eating chemicals, toxins and trans-fats to your arteries. Which is the main culprit for heart disease. Running on the treadmill is not going to magically erase the scars that you’ve put on your arteries from eating hydrogenated oils (aka transfats).

So next time you grab a piece of chocolate cake and catch yourself saying, “I will run it off later”…remember this article and love your heart and body enough to pass on the foods that aren’t serving your higher purpose of being healthy and fit.

Myth #3

If I eat small meals all day or just graze I will lose weight.

Your body burns calories, period. In fact this actually will work against your weight loss goal. Your body is constantly burning the NEW calories and never burning the ones on your bum. Yes…we all have a reserve of fat that your metabolism is aching to burn up… eat 3 meals a day, 5 hours apart. I’ve gotten great results with my clients with this method.

Myth #4

Eating fat makes you fat

That’s like saying… I will turn blue if I eat blueberries. Ok…forgive my sarcasm.

Sugar and carbohydrates make you fat…anything that you eat that turns into sugar creates fat. Stay away from white sugar, flour, pasta and rice …those will turn into that bulge around your waistline. Now Trans-fats are horrible, the ingredient to look out for is hydrogenated oil. Omega 3 fatty acids are the best fats to eat. You can find that in avocados, fish, nuts, extra virgin olive oil, and flax seed.

Now go order a nice grilled salmon at your favorite restaurant with a side of steamed veggies- YUM!

Myth #5

Don’t eat after 8pm

Says who? Your body can’t tell time…
What if you work midnights and that’s considered your lunchtime?

The key mindset around this is that you shouldn’t eat right before bed if you can help it. I’m just as guilty as wanting that snack during a TV show… in bed. What keeps me from running downstairs to grab something besides not wanting to get crumbs on my white sheets…is also knowing that those small hunger pains are a sweet reminder that my body will start to draw calories to burn from my reserve. This could be your mid section, bum or jiggle from your arms. Train your mind to push past the initial craving to grab a snack and I promise that the hunger pains won’t last long. If you can’t sleep due to hunger pains, then by all means have a piece of fruit or a glass of milk but don’t get carried away and have some cookies with that milk.

Myth #6

Diet “Foods” Help you lose weight

I want to laugh out loud…AGAIN as I think of my mom sectioning off the fridge with her special “diet food” that we weren’t allowed to touch as she was driven to drop those pounds. (Love you mom…yes she reads my blogs) Generally this drive of hers would only last until the next grocery store visit…sadly. This goes back to myth #1. Most “diet foods” are labeling them to get a sale, from YOU…the person that didn’t do their research before making that purchase. They are also high in carbs and low in protein and fiber. Most likely they are made with fat free or sugar free ingredients too which isn’t quality nature made foods. So beware of the sneaky food marketers…trying to sell you.

I hope these simple myth busters were helpful to you. When in doubt, ask a professional, someone that has actually had education in the nutrition field.

Feel free to comment below or share this article with someone you know that is always starting the latest fad diet. The key is to work with a coach, because we all need a push to drive ourselves to our goals. Nothing works better than a game plan and being held accountable.

Yours in abundance,

Karie Millspaugh
Wellness Coach