4 Myths and Facts About Weight Loss...

In terms of weight loss, some beliefs are based on myth, others reality.

"Myth": To lose weight, you must agree to be hungry.

Fact: If you're missing the point of being hungry, you may at some time or the other falling into the excesses and make poor food choices, warns Arya Sharma, MD, Director of Cardiovascular Obesity Research and Management of university of Alberta.

"People think that to lose weight, they are hungry, which can have the opposite effect," adds Jessica Begg, dietician Vancouver. When caloric restriction is too drastic, metabolism slows in response to the hunger, hence the syndrome yo-yo dieting.

Rather than limiting your food intake, change in the composition, she advises. "The best way to lose weight is to add things to your diet rather than remove them."

So by eating more fruits and vegetables at meals, you naturally take less high-calorie products and your satiety last longer.

"Myth": When we exercise, we do not need to monitor your diet

Fact: "There are simply not enough hours in the day to allow you to burn calories in a Happy Meal," says Dr. Sharma.

The exercise provides many health benefits, and promoting the development of muscle mass, you will not gain weight, in addition to giving you look better, but if you want to lose weight and not the resume, you need to reduce your caloric intake, he says.

If the idea of ​​counting your calories exasperates you, here's what Jessica Begg advises: "It has been said many times but still we do not disappoint when the recommendations of Canada's Food Guide is followed. For my part, I think it is best to consider its portions instead of calories. "

To avoid weight gain, it recommends that the power supply is composed of 80% of food contained in the Guide. That leaves leeway of 20% for treats such as cookies, chips and drinks. "This is the equivalent of a small dessert every day," she says.

"Myth": Drinking water helps you lose weight

Reality: Although water does not have magical properties, replacing some bad habits, it can help control weight.

However, although it has been shown that cold water favored the caloric expenditure, we can not say as long as it makes it possible to lose weight. Still, it is important to drink when on a diet, said Dr. Sharma. "We have proven that drinking just before eating exercised appetite suppressant." However, keep in mind that water provides no calories and therefore you will not be satisfied. If you do not eat after drinking, you will be hungry 10 minutes later.

Jessica Begg added that water has the advantage of quench thirst without adding calories. "When you get your calories from drinks, the body does not react to it the same way as if you ingest the same amount in the form of solid food," she explains. A glass of juice to quench your thirst but does not satisfy your appetite like a fruit.

"Myth": Snacking between meals frustrate the plan.

Reality: There is nothing wrong with snacking, provided to do so consciously.

"For some, the snack is not a problem while in others it is a disaster," says Dr. Sharma. The reason is that the first plan their snacks while the latter are so impulsive, rushing to a vending when hunger surprises. It is important to provide the snack and take at a given time rather than doing it as soon as we have the munchies. If you know you'll need to eat between meals, bring a healthy snack at work, such as a fruit or a handful of walnuts or almonds.

                                                                         Good Luck To All!!