With all of the research, studies, diets, weight loss options it is no wonder that there are so many myths and misconceptions about weight loss.
In order to help you clarify fact from fiction the following information has been collated to give a more rounded understanding of the more common questions that people pose in relation to weight loss.
Why doesn ’ t exercise always help with weight loss?
This is a very controversial debate that researchers currently question. It is true that when people first begin exercising they may not lose weight as they could be eating more to compensate for an increase in their hunger or as a reward for their hard work. It is also true that when people lose fat they gain muscle and muscle weighs more than fat. However there is no hard evidence to prove that exercise doesn’t help you to lose weight.
Weight loss doesn ’ t depend on exercise alone but is the result of eating fewer calories than you burn, and there are also no guarantees that exercise will result in weight loss. Exercise is however a good way to ensure good health, as it sharpens the brain, promotes good moods and reduces the risk of chronic disease. There is no right or wrong way to exercise and how much you choose to exercise will be dependent on whether you are exercising to stay healthy or to lose weight, plus also the level of physical fitness you already have.
For those that currently take little exercise it is advised that they start slowly and instead of focusing on the amount of activity you do simply focus on doing something. The main aim is to make sure that you get some form of exercise on top of your current levels and aim to stay as active as your body will permit.
Why is it harder to lose weight the older you become?
Age plays a major part in weight gain as adults lose more muscle mass every year and this is why it is so important for adults to undertake resistance training working out with weights.
Another reason why it is harder to lose weight the older you getis that the body ’ s metabolism slows as the cells and other organs are less efficient at burning calories. Starting regular exercise as a child will stand you in good stead when you reach adulthood.
Finally there are the social factors which make weight gain so easy. When a person reaches the middle of their life they can afford more rich foods that they may not have been able to afford in their younger days. They probably also have less time for physical activity due to their job and family commitments.
Can diet drinks make you gain weight?
Diet drinks contain fewer or no calories when compared to the sugar versions however studies that have been conducted recently have shown that people who consume diet drinks have a tendency to gain more weight than those consuming the full sugar versions.
This could be because the brain cannot be fooled by the artificial sweeteners found in the majority of the drinks and foods. Whilst the sweet taste may satisfy the palate the body feels conned out of the calories it was expecting. This could also see those that consume diet drinks seeking sugar from other sources or alter their metabolism as if they had consumed the sugar both of which can lead to weight gain.
Artificial sweeteners are 100 times sweeter than natural sugar and it is possible that those who consume large amounts of artificial sugar become so used to the sweetness that they no longer appreciate the natural flavors and start to make unhealthy choices which results in weight gain.
Why are the last 5 – 10 pounds the hardest to lose?
It is true that the bigger you are the easier it will be to lose weight and this is why when a person is obese or has a sedentary lifestyle start a new diet and exercise routine the first few pounds will drop off. This is because bigger people have a higher metabolic rate than smaller people meaning that their bodies use up the calories that they consume that much quicker. The bigger a person is the more cells they will have which are using energy.
However as people continue to lose weight the number of cells shrink and their metabolism slows down to match their reduced size. Therefore as you begin to lose weight you need to work harder to burn the same amount of calories. Where you may have started with 30 minutes walking per day once you are losing the weight you may need to extend this to 60 minutes to get the same amount in terms of weight loss.
Carrying too much weight will take its toll on your body in particular the heart. There is good news though and this is that even losing a little of your body weight will see you on the right path and taking steps in the right direction.
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