5 Common Weight Loss Myths

Many people struggle to lose weight because they are misinformed. In our latest article, we break down 5 common weight loss myths that may actually be preventing you from losing weight:

Whether you’re looking to lose weight or not, hydrating your body is important. But is drinking a gallon of water a day really necessary? And will it help you lose weight? To put it simply, no.

Adequate hydration can curb your appetite, boost your metabolism, and burn fat. However, you can drink too much water. Hydration levels are highly individual and depend on your weight and activity levels. Overhydrating can disrupt your sodium levels and electrolyte balance, causing nausea and vomiting, weak muscles, headaches, fatigue, and more.

You should definitely hydrate throughout the day and while working out, but drinking a gallon of water a day is unnecessary. Excessive hydration won’t help you lose weight — if anything, you’ll bloat.

In recent years, Flat Tummy Tea has emerged as one of the most popular fad weight loss trends. These herbal teas are said to shed the excess weight and give you, well, a flat tummy. However, Flat Tummy Tea is not what you think it is.

When you take a closer look at the nutritional labels, Flat Tummy Teas contain ingredients that have diuretic and laxative effects, which causes excessive urination and defecation. With more trips to the bathroom, you’ll experience less bloating and the illusion of a flat tummy. However, laxative abuse can cause dehydration, malnutrition, and other major health issues.  

Many people resort to liquid diets or juicing in an effort to lose weight and detox their bodies. However, there are dangers to only drinking water or fruit/vegetable blends all day. 

While you may see results from doing a 7-day juice cleanse, it is not sustainable weight loss. In order to lose weight, you must be in a calorie deficit. However, juicing isn’t really putting you in a calorie deficit — it’s deprivation. Any “weight loss” you may experience is actually just water; once your cleanse is over, you will begin putting on weight. To sustain weight loss and gain muscle, you should be consuming protein.

Furthermore, “detoxing” is unnecessary. Your liver is already hard at work detoxing your body daily!   

Fasting is a form of calorie or nutrient restriction that many use in order to lose weight. For those trying to lose weight by fasting, it seems like a no-brainer — the fewer calories, the greater the weight loss. However, like liquid diets, fasting does not put you in a healthy calorie deficit. 

When we are deprived of calories and vital nutrients, our bodies enter starvation mode. When we enter starvation mode, our bodies begin storing fat for fuel and to protect against famine. With fasting, you aren’t going to see the results you wish to see — you’re actually just going to put on more weight.

For people who want to see quick, low-effort weight loss results, a “fat-burning” pill seems like the perfect solution. Most fat-burning supplements contain caffeine, which in small doses is said to support weight loss. However, there is usually more caffeine in these pills than recommended, which could have negative effects on your health.

Fat-burning supplements claim to burn fat, curb appetite, and increase metabolism, but there is really no evidence to support these claims. Fat-burners have actually been linked to liver damage and high blood pressure. To put it simply, no, there is no magic pill for weight loss.

When you’re trying to lose weight, it can be discouraging to see no sustainable results. At Your Lean Life, it is our passion to help others lead healthier lifestyles and reach their weight loss goals. Our nutrition and fitness programs are led by certified professionals and provide personalized support and solutions in individual and group settings. Lose the fad diets and start seeing results today with Your Lean Life!