Myth #1: "You can “sweat” fat off your body."
Fact: Lord, give me strength!
The truth of the matter is that losing fat is a multi-faceted process and sweating has nothing to do with it. Bodily fat must be released first hormonally through the bloodstream and THEN you have to burn it. (Hence the "Firestorm" in Firestorm Fitness) If sweating was a successful solution in helping folks effectively lose weight, the state of Texas would be the most highly populated state in the US with the leanest folks anywhere!
*And this is a note to you bone-heads who wear those wraps that make you sweat or those plastic suits:
STOP IT!
They're a waste of time and you look ridiculous.
Myth #2: Lifting weights is not good to do if you want to lose weight, because it will make you "bulk up.”
Fact: Aggh! If I hear this one more time...
O.K., I admit it. This one personally drives me bonkers.
Here's the lowdown on this particular myth: FOOD BULKS YOU UP! NOT LIFTING WEIGHTS!
Lifting is merely the signal for the increased calories to go to work. If you're eating enough to stimulate muscle growth, then you will.
Lifting weights on a regular basis is the number one most effective manner to maintain or lose weight. Performing strength training exercises 2 to 4 days a week will not "bulk you up." Only very intense strength training, combined with a certain genetic background and LOADS of calories, can build “Arnold Schwarzisnamer" type muscles.
Myth #3: Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight.
Fact: WRONG!
Studies have demonstrated repeatedly that people who skip breakfast and eat fewer times during the day are much more likely to be heavier than people who eat a healthy breakfast and eat four to six meals per day.
Myth #4: Low-fat or nonfat means no calories.
Fact: Please, tell me you don't really believe this?
While it may be true that a low-fat or nonfat food is sometimes lower in overall calories than the same size portion of the full-fat product, most processed low-fat or nonfat foods have just as many calories as the full- fat version of the same food.
Quite often, they contain even more calories.
The reason: We humans like the taste of fat.
If you remove it, foods taste like cardboard. To make it more palatable manufacturers add SUGAR, flour, or starch thickeners to improve flavor and texture after the fat is removed. These ingredients add calories and are actually WORSE for you than the real version.
Myth #5: "I can lose weight while eating whatever I want."
Fact: Welcome to the world of master marketing.
A.K.A. the Atkins diet, South Beach Diet and now the Sonoma Diet. Through effective marketing and hype, marketers (not strength training pro's like yours truly) have "learnt" us that, in order to lose weight, all you needed to do was munch away on anything you pleased...as long as it wasn’t a carb.
Portion sizes or control? Proper meal timing? Quality food choices? What the heck does that have to do with effective weight management?
Everything.
Myth #6: Starches are fattening and should be limited when trying to lose weight.
Fact: O.K., this one IS mostly true, but here is the reality:
There are lots of foods that are high in starch; bread, rice, pasta, cereals, beans, fruits, and some vegetables, like potatoes and yams.
These are generally fine provided you:
· keep it fibrous (unrefined or processed)
· eat them combined with other foods (i.e. protein)
· Don’t overdo it. (There's that portion control again)
Starchy foods cause weight gain when they are eaten in large portion sizes. But you already knew that because eating too much of ANYTHING will turn to fat. They are especially lethal when they're combined with high-fat toppings like butter, sour cream, or mayonnaise.
Eating a normal, portion relevant amount of carbs is the only way that you can effectively fuel your way through the quality workouts that you need to change your physique.
And don't be fooled by tricks and ploys, like the "carb-cycling" techniques that are purported to work to help release the last few pounds of body fat. For most folks they simply don't pan out over the long haul.
Steve
Steve Payne is San Antonio's premier fat loss expert. If you're really serious about fat loss, then please consider San Antonio's finest fat loss "boot camp", the Firestorm Fitness Systems Fat Burning Fit Camps, The 28 Day Miracle Fat Loss Program or you can e-mail Steve here for more information on his many GUARANTEED success programs. And please visit http://www.safatloss.com/ today.
San Antonio Fat Loss Success is hosted by Steve Payne, SA's premier fitness and fat loss specialist. He owns and operates a number of GUARANTEED success fat loss programs which include the Firestorm Fitcamps, The 28 Day Miracle Fat Loss Program and his own Firestorm Fitness Systems personal training program. Steve has over 30 years of experience in the fitness and health industry.