Myth #1 - To lose weight, cut carbs or fat.
The Truth - Restricting your intake of one particular nutrient, usually carbs or fat, is the thought behind most get-thin-fast plans. "To lose weight, you need to take in fewer calories than you burn - regardless of what percentage of carbs, protein, or fat you're eating."
Myth #2 - Eating several smaller meals is better than eating three hearty meals.
The Truth - Frequent eating only works if you choose nutritious foods and control portion sizes; it's not hard to turn six meals into six large ones.
Myth #3 - Lift less weight with more reps to get toned.
The Truth - To get toned, you need larger muscles and less fat. "Challenging your body through heavier lifting is a big part of this equation." In fact, a study at Georgia Southern University determined lifting 85% of your maximum ability for 8 reps burns about twice as many calories in the two hours postworkout compared with 15 reps at 45%. And don't worry: Lifting heavier iron won't transform you into a body-builder; achieving that look requires eating a high-calorie diet and a long-term power-lifting regimen.
My all-time favorite myth exposed:
Myth #4 - Low-fat foods are a healthy choice.
The Truth - "Ironically, eating low-fat foods has helped make the nation look more like the Pillsbury Doughboy. Reason being, a low-fat or reduced-fat item may have nearly as many calories as a higher-fat version because ingredients like sugar often replace the fat to make the product taste better."..What's more, people generally eat more of the foods that are portrayed as "low fat." Low-fat foods are not filling and are highly processed! Both bad things, especially if you're trying to lose weight.
Runners World April 2010
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