This list could easily have been the top 100 myths, but I decided to identify up the top five I see peddled around the industry on a perennial basis.
Myth one - You can be shamed into losing weight
If you feel bad enough about your habits, the way you look and the impact you have on society, you will surely start to make a change.
Truth - You must accept yourself for who you are now
Making people feel ashamed for being overweight is about as far from helpful as you can get. Most people gain weight exactly because they feel bad about themselves, so exposing and shaming them for being overweight is not very intelligent.
To make a life change, a person must allow themselves to be vulnerable and shame will prevent this from happening.
Myth two - No Pain, No Gain
If you want to lose weight you have to kill yourself in the gym and starve yourself in the kitchen.
Truth - No fun, no gain
If you want to be an Olympian or world-class athlete, no pain, no gain is an essential mantra. If you want to be healthy, attractive and live a long life it is a ludicrous one. People won't start because they fear the extremity and they will stop because they can't stand it.
Life will be over in a heartbeat, being healthy and active is way more fun and rewarding than being unhealthy and inactive, so whatever decisions you make, be sure to enjoy them.
Myth three - You are overweight because you have no will power
If you could only maintain discipline you would lose the weight and start to be like 'everybody else'.
Truth - Will power is not the problem. Extreme behavior is
Having worked with clients attempting to lose weight for a number of years, I am still astounded at the Spartan regimes people are capable of putting themselves through. No sane, "thin" person I know would last more than a few days.
Extreme behavior is the real problem, and a belief that will power and discipline hold the key encourages the type of extreme behavior (and ensuing punishment for failure to maintain) that causes weight problems.
Myth four - Everybody gains and loses weight the same way
Follow our system and lose X weight in Y days. 3500 calories equals one pound of body weight. If you eat this food plans and do this workout you will lose X pounds in Y days.
Truth - We all respond at different rates and in different ways
Variable Thyroid function, chemical imbalances, hormonal imbalances, sex, age, height, exercise history and any other number of other factors will affect the rate at which you lose weight. Comparison is futile.
Eat enjoyable healthy foods and move more consistently and you will get results.
Obsess with the scales at your peril. Do the right things and be patient.
Myth five - Atkins/Fasting/Low fat diet is the best option for you
The newest and latest dieting secrets are the answer to your prayers. What are you waiting for - the truth is finally revealed.
Truth - The best diet option is one that is healthy AND that you enjoy
The "best" diet is not necessarily the same as the "best" diet for you. Even if the new diet trend/fad is very effective, it won't work if you feel too restricted.
The first question you should ask yourself when following an eating regime is
Will I enjoy this?
And the second -
Can I maintain it?
If the answer is no to either of these I don't care how scientifically perfect it is, it won't work.
What are your thoughts on this subject?
Do you agree with my views?
I would love to hear what you have to say below. Every view is valid and I will listen and answer respectfully.