Five solid truths about losing weight

Since most of us are stuck at home due to the pandemic many of us have since added some extra kilos, and with this situation not getting any better, most people are simply eating their miseries away.

Most people have let themselves go thinking they can shed off all the weight once that dark cloud has passed, but this is never as easy as it sounds in our heads.

Losing weight is actually not as easy as it sounds in our heads and most of the advice on weight loss available online happens to be unproven.

But thanks to some studies, many truths have been revealed about what it takes to shed off those pounds and how to maintain a healthy weight.

Here are some painful truths about losing weight you need to know:

We have seen them all. Water diets, low carb diets, cabbage soup diets etc. being sold as miracle diets to help you shed pounds and burn fat. Well, most of them only work in the short term and a majority of dieters end up gaining weight thereafter.

Eating healthy for a couple of weeks or months then reverting back to your usual burger and soda diet can lead to drastic weight gain.

The truth is, weight loss is about a lifestyle change. You have to desist from bad eating habits and eat more whole, unprocessed and natural foods.

Contrary to what you see on weight loss TV shows, they forget to tell you that the episodes are shot over a period of months. Just because a contestant shed 20 kilos in two weeks does not mean the same will apply to you.

We all have different bodies and there are no magical cures. Forget the weight loss pills and teas being hawked on social media to burn fats and calories too.

If you think you can put yourself on a starvation diet to fit into that small size dress in time for your friend’s wedding, stop lying to yourself and put in the work.

Such extreme measures can interfere with your metabolism and instead do more harm than good in the long run.

You read that right. There are no short cuts when it comes to losing weight. Don’t be tempted to look into magic weight loss potions and other promises to help you get two dress sizes down in a matter of weeks.

It is hard work requiring a lot of patience and time to see any results. Work on eating healthier, fitness and getting enough sleep because this will be a very long ride.

If you thought you can continue stuffing yourself with steak and cheese cakes then work it out, you couldn’t be more wrong.

On average, most people exercise for 60 minutes a day burning around 400 calories. A protein bar later and you have put back all you had burnt.

In short, you cannot exercise your way out of a bad diet. It is a combination of a proper diet and working out. Exercising and a healthier diet go hand in hand.

For years we have been told that fats make you fat. Not necessarily false, our bodies actually need healthy fats to function properly.

Foods rich in fats like fish, avocados and nuts are incredibly healthy. What you need to avoid is high calorie junk foods full of fats which will make you add weight.

But as long as you take in the healthy fats it will not make you fat.