The internet is filled with chunks of information about weight loss. However, much of the information on the subject of weight loss is prepared by those who wish to sell their dietary products and exercise plans. Thus, this false information takes us further away from the truth.

If you want to burn some serious calories, you need to exercise, eat right and follow advice of a medical professional. Most importantly, you need to separate myths from facts about weight. To that end, we have decided to bust the biggest weight-loss myths.

Myth #1: All Calories are the Same

All sources of calories don’t have a similar effect on our weight. Our body processes different types of food in different ways, thus different foods affect our body differently. For instance, consuming a fat calorie isn’t the same as eating a protein calorie. By replacing fats and carbs with proteins, you can boost your metabolism while increasing your hormones’ effectiveness to regulate body weight.

Calories from unprocessed foods such as vegetables and fruits make you feel fuller than those from refined foods like chips. So, while it is essential to count calories when you are controlling your diet, it isn’t the only thing you should focus on.

Myth #2: You Can Lose Weight through Pills

Unfortunately, many people who are desperate to lose weight fall for the filthy lies of advertisers who’ll say anything to sell their products. Listen and listen carefully: weight loss pills are ineffective and buying them equals throwing money away. When someone says that you can shed those extra pounds without exercising and without altering your diet, just walk away from them!

Myth #3: Stay Away From Carbs if you wish to Lose Weight

Carbohydrates are an essential part of our diet. Reducing carbs like sugar will help you shed those extra pounds, but saying that you should avoid them altogether to lose weight is wrong. You should continue consuming healthy carbohydrates even when you are trying to lose weight. For healthy carbohydrates, eat water-rich vegetables and beans.

Myth #4: Snacking is Bad for those Who Are Trying to Lose Weight

This is perhaps the biggest weight-loss myth. Contrary to what many people think, snacking between regular meals won’t result in weight gain. In fact, if you eat healthy snacks, you may be able to avoid overeating at meal times.

The word ‘snack’ is actually the real problem. When you feel hungry, you should definitely have a snack, but that snack should not be unhealthy cookies and chips that contain a lot of calories. The snacks you consume between meals should be healthy. Fruits, yoghurt, pop corn, nuts and veggie sticks are all healthy snacks that can satisfy your hunger without adding extra pounds.

Myth #5: All you need to do to lose weight is ‘Eat less and Exercise More’

Eating less and exercising more is actually a good piece of advice for those who are trying to control their weight. But, it is misleading to say that it is the only thing you need to do to lose weight. Some people who are seriously overweight should receive medical guidance throughout the weight loss process; otherwise, they’ll regain most of the lost weight.

Myth #6: You’ll Immediately See Results

Seeing noticeable weight-loss results takes time. You should never think that you’ll be able to lose weight quickly and see results immediately if you follow a specific diet and hit the gym regularly to do cardio. This does not mean that you’ll never lose weight; you just have to be patient and consistent. The scale will surely move; but it will take time!

Myth #7: Drinking More Water Leads to Weight Loss

Water is essential for our body, but saying that drinking more water leads to weight loss is completely wrong. If drinking a lot of water is keeping you away from consuming high-calorie sodas and drinks, then it can surely help you shed a few pounds. But, if you just increase your water intake without doing anything else, you won’t able to move that scale in the anti-clockwise direction.

Myth #8: Weight Loss is Same for Everyone

So you have decided to begin your weight-loss journey with your friend. Both of you hit the gym everyday for two hours and do the same exercises with the same intensity, consume the same foods and sleep for the same number of hours at night. Yet, after two weeks, your friend has lost 20 pounds while you haven’t managed to budge the scale. It sucks, right?

This is perfectly normal as everybody is not the same. Certain diets and exercises work for some people more than for others.. Your body may take more time to shed off those extra pounds and that is totally fine. Instead of following the example of others, you should try to find diets and exercises that work for you.

Myth #9: You Can Only Shed Pounds with Intense Workouts

High-intensity interval training and other high intensity workouts are no doubt great for burning calories, but they are not the only weight-loss workout in your arsenal. There are many low-intensity exercises that can help your torch some serious calories including running, swimming, jumping rope, yoga etc. So, whenever you exercise to lose weight, mix high-intensity workouts with lower-intensity ones to get a balanced workout.

Weight-loss myths will keep piling up as the discussion on the subject grows. We have busted the top myths about weight loss, now it is your responsibility to identify other similar myths that can derail your weight loss journey. Remember you cannot cheat your way through the weight loss journey. Despite of popular claims of advertisers, you can’t shed those extra pounds in just a week. Therefore, one-rule that’ll always help you bust myths about weight loss is that: Never trust easy and fast weight-loss solutions.