What's the biggest weight-loss lie you've ever heard?
Replies
-
Same as many mentioned above:
You must eat 5-6 mini meals.
You must not eat after [insert time].
If you don't eat enough your body gets nervous and holds on to (or even gains) fat.
Calories don't count.
Fat makes you fat (independent of overall calories).
Carbs make you fat (same).
Sugar makes you fat (same).
Fat cannot make you fat, as your body does not know how to add fat from fat (this is truly bizarre).
Carbs cannot make you fat (courtesy Dr. McDougall).
Sugar is toxic.
Exercise beyond the "fat burning zone" does not aid in losing fat.
Foods with sugar/carbs make you more hungry (maybe true for some, but not me, and this gets stated like it's true for all).
Fat is more satiating than other macros or than carbs (again, not true for me -- fat is not filling for me at all).
Basically anything that would have you ignore your own perceptions of satiety and satisfaction for some "expert" opinion: "no, really, if you eat more meals, more fat, more for breakfast, cut out diet pop, cut out all sugar, so on, you won't be hungry all the time." (But I'm not hungry now, so why?)8 -
ReaderGirl3 wrote: »dustedwithsugar wrote: »Eating every 3 hours will help to lose weight
This is not a myth actually. If you eat more frequent but little portions, your body has time to digest what you ate and you are less hungry in a process. Also eating when you're NOT hungry helps to fill you up faster leading to eating less at meal time.
This is a myth as it varies per person. I don't do well on frequent, small meals as they always leave me hungry. This is why many people adopt an IF style of eating, as meal times are a preference. There is nothing special about small, frequent meals in and of itself that would induce weight loss.
Then you don't eat right macros per meal. It's really that easy. I was of same thought as you before I started to look at meal macros.
Macros breakdown doesn't matter for weight loss either. In terms of weight loss the only thing that matters is that you're eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals.
@ReaderGirl3 I respect your opinions. What do you believe about the thermic effect?0 -
I'm not ReaderGirl3, but it's small within the context of the variety of healthful diets. The major difference is that protein has a higher cost of digestion vs. fat (lowest) or carbs (various depending on the type of carb, but lower than protein). Since there are good reasons not to eat a diet skewed toward super high protein (fat and carbs are better fuels, cost, overall nutrition and satisfaction), you aren't really going to see much difference without sacrificing other things and probably having an unsustainable diet, and also being able to eat the most (on paper) calories doesn't mean the diet itself is more satisfying, so I fail to see the value.
Thermic effect of normal variations from keto (usually a bit higher protein but also much higher fat, so the effects cancel each other out) to vegan aren't going to matter much.7 -
@lemurcat12 Yes, I see your point about higher fat cancelling out the effects of protein from this standpoint.0
-
- diet supplements work
- your metabolism can be kickstarted
- apple cider vinegar is a cure-all
- aspartame is the debbil
- sugar is cocaine
11 -
"You don't need to worry about calories, only sugar!"
My god I could eat 5,000 calories with minimal sugar, doesn't make it magically defy the law of CICO. And this came from someone who knew I have recently lost 12kg doing calorie counting
I agree with you that 5000 calories and no sugar wouldn't do much. But i can say that after lowering my total sugar intake (refined and natural) to 20g or under, my weight loss took off. The body doesn't need more sugar than that. of course, you would have to watch other macros such as carbs and sodium...Even "Fat" content doesn't bother me all that much and I am over (just a little) most days - but I have consistently lost 1-2 lbs since I've started following this rule.
I won't say that I don't care about my calories, but I am not a slave to that number. I don't even have my calories on my dashboard, I have my macros and honestly, If I hit my macros - 99% of the time, I have stayed within my calories when check a the end of the day - a few times i couldn't complete my diary because I hadnt eaten enough calories - so "poor me" - I had to eat more
There is no doubt and plenty of studies that eliminating or drastically lowering your sugar intake will assist in weight loss.
1 -
dustedwithsugar wrote: »Eating every 3 hours will help to lose weight
This is not a myth actually. If you eat more frequent but little portions, your body has time to digest what you ate and you are less hungry in a process. Also eating when you're NOT hungry helps to fill you up faster leading to eating less at meal time.
This is a myth as it varies per person. I don't do well on frequent, small meals as they always leave me hungry. This is why many people adopt an IF style of eating, as meal times are a preference. There is nothing special about small, frequent meals in and of itself that would induce weight loss.
Then you don't eat right macros per meal. It's really that easy. I was of same thought as you before I started to look at meal macros.
Erm, no. My macro breakdown is fine; I've been doing this for quite a long time now. I'm not even actively trying to losing weight anymore. I'm 5'3.5" and 111 pounds, so I'm pretty lean and my macro balance and diet are both of the utmost importance to me to make sure I get the right nutrition and meet my fitness goals. I have a significant amount of muscle for my frame and I'm also a highly active individual, so my needs are going to vary from the next person's.
I will note that I find it interesting that many lean men and women prefer the IF style of eating. I usually eat in an 8 hour window and find I do best on a big breakfast, a small snack, and a bigger dinner. I'm never hungry at other times throughout the day doing this. Does that mean my method is the only way or the absolute correct way? No. Would I recommend everyone else eat in the same fashion? No. However, it is what works for me. I've had zero issues doing so, my body composition continues to improve, and my hunger levels are stable. Again, everyone varies.12 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »I'm not ReaderGirl3, but it's small within the context of the variety of healthful diets. The major difference is that protein has a higher cost of digestion vs. fat (lowest) or carbs (various depending on the type of carb, but lower than protein). Since there are good reasons not to eat a diet skewed toward super high protein (fat and carbs are better fuels, cost, overall nutrition and satisfaction), you aren't really going to see much difference without sacrificing other things and probably having an unsustainable diet, and also being able to eat the most (on paper) calories doesn't mean the diet itself is more satisfying, so I fail to see the value.
Thermic effect of normal variations from keto (usually a bit higher protein but also much higher fat, so the effects cancel each other out) to vegan aren't going to matter much.
Thank you, I was trying to figure out how to word a response but you said it better than I was going to 3 -
LisaClifford731 wrote: »"You don't need to worry about calories, only sugar!"
My god I could eat 5,000 calories with minimal sugar, doesn't make it magically defy the law of CICO. And this came from someone who knew I have recently lost 12kg doing calorie counting
I agree with you that 5000 calories and no sugar wouldn't do much. But i can say that after lowering my total sugar intake (refined and natural) to 20g or under, my weight loss took off. The body doesn't need more sugar than that. of course, you would have to watch other macros such as carbs and sodium...Even "Fat" content doesn't bother me all that much and I am over (just a little) most days - but I have consistently lost 1-2 lbs since I've started following this rule.
I won't say that I don't care about my calories, but I am not a slave to that number. I don't even have my calories on my dashboard, I have my macros and honestly, If I hit my macros - 99% of the time, I have stayed within my calories when check a the end of the day - a few times i couldn't complete my diary because I hadnt eaten enough calories.
There is no doubt and plenty of studies that eliminating or drastically lowering your sugar intake will assist in weight loss.
I'm heading out for the day and really don't have time for another sugar debate, but could you clarify-are you saying that by lowering your sugar intake you're lowering your calorie intake, which helps create the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals? Or are you saying that if you lower your sugar intake, but continue eating at your TDEE or even at a calorie surplus over your TDEE, you'll lose weight just because you've cut out/down on sugar?
Also, how did you remove your calories from your dashboard? When I go into my settings calories is the only thing I can't remove (it shows that it's required).1 -
ReaderGirl3 wrote: »LisaClifford731 wrote: »"You don't need to worry about calories, only sugar!"
My god I could eat 5,000 calories with minimal sugar, doesn't make it magically defy the law of CICO. And this came from someone who knew I have recently lost 12kg doing calorie counting
I agree with you that 5000 calories and no sugar wouldn't do much. But i can say that after lowering my total sugar intake (refined and natural) to 20g or under, my weight loss took off. The body doesn't need more sugar than that. of course, you would have to watch other macros such as carbs and sodium...Even "Fat" content doesn't bother me all that much and I am over (just a little) most days - but I have consistently lost 1-2 lbs since I've started following this rule.
I won't say that I don't care about my calories, but I am not a slave to that number. I don't even have my calories on my dashboard, I have my macros and honestly, If I hit my macros - 99% of the time, I have stayed within my calories when check a the end of the day - a few times i couldn't complete my diary because I hadnt eaten enough calories.
There is no doubt and plenty of studies that eliminating or drastically lowering your sugar intake will assist in weight loss.
I'm heading out for the day and really don't have time for another sugar debate, but could you clarify-are you saying that by lowering your sugar intake you're lowering your calorie intake, which helps create the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals? Or are you saying that if you lower your sugar intake, but continue eating at your TDEE or even at a calorie surplus over your TDEE, you'll lose weight just because you've cut out/down on sugar?
Also, how did you remove your calories from your dashboard? When I go into my settings calories is the only thing I can't remove (it shows that it's required).
No, did not lower my calorie intake. Just saying that my hitting all of my macros, I'm usually under. there is a rare occasion that Im not under and thats great. I can't answer your question because I haven't been focused on my calories, I haven't changed them -but I do measure my macros by % of calories and not by grams.
Also, I have no idea how I got my macros on my dashboard - HAHA, but once I get some coffee, I will check out my settings and figure it out - I stumbled on it one day haha. I am a paid user, don't know if you are, so it may be something that is afforded in their premium membership only..but check back later and i will have figured it out.
No debate Happy Sunday! 0 -
LisaClifford731 wrote: »ReaderGirl3 wrote: »LisaClifford731 wrote: »"You don't need to worry about calories, only sugar!"
My god I could eat 5,000 calories with minimal sugar, doesn't make it magically defy the law of CICO. And this came from someone who knew I have recently lost 12kg doing calorie counting
I agree with you that 5000 calories and no sugar wouldn't do much. But i can say that after lowering my total sugar intake (refined and natural) to 20g or under, my weight loss took off. The body doesn't need more sugar than that. of course, you would have to watch other macros such as carbs and sodium...Even "Fat" content doesn't bother me all that much and I am over (just a little) most days - but I have consistently lost 1-2 lbs since I've started following this rule.
I won't say that I don't care about my calories, but I am not a slave to that number. I don't even have my calories on my dashboard, I have my macros and honestly, If I hit my macros - 99% of the time, I have stayed within my calories when check a the end of the day - a few times i couldn't complete my diary because I hadnt eaten enough calories.
There is no doubt and plenty of studies that eliminating or drastically lowering your sugar intake will assist in weight loss.
I'm heading out for the day and really don't have time for another sugar debate, but could you clarify-are you saying that by lowering your sugar intake you're lowering your calorie intake, which helps create the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals? Or are you saying that if you lower your sugar intake, but continue eating at your TDEE or even at a calorie surplus over your TDEE, you'll lose weight just because you've cut out/down on sugar?
Also, how did you remove your calories from your dashboard? When I go into my settings calories is the only thing I can't remove (it shows that it's required).
No, did not lower my calorie intake. Just saying that my hitting all of my macros, I'm usually under. there is a rare occasion that Im not under and thats great. I can't answer your question because I haven't been focused on my calories, I haven't changed them -but I do measure my macros by % of calories and not by grams.
Also, I have no idea how I did it, but once I get some coffee, I will check out my settings and figure it out - I stumbled on it one day haha. I am a paid user, don't know if you are, so it may be something that is afforded in their premium membership only..but check back later and i will have figured it out.
No debate Happy Sunday!
I use the free version so that's probably it I'd love to discuss the other part of your post but now I'm running late and really have to step away from the computer lol. 0 -
ReaderGirl3 wrote: »LisaClifford731 wrote: »ReaderGirl3 wrote: »LisaClifford731 wrote: »"You don't need to worry about calories, only sugar!"
My god I could eat 5,000 calories with minimal sugar, doesn't make it magically defy the law of CICO. And this came from someone who knew I have recently lost 12kg doing calorie counting
I agree with you that 5000 calories and no sugar wouldn't do much. But i can say that after lowering my total sugar intake (refined and natural) to 20g or under, my weight loss took off. The body doesn't need more sugar than that. of course, you would have to watch other macros such as carbs and sodium...Even "Fat" content doesn't bother me all that much and I am over (just a little) most days - but I have consistently lost 1-2 lbs since I've started following this rule.
I won't say that I don't care about my calories, but I am not a slave to that number. I don't even have my calories on my dashboard, I have my macros and honestly, If I hit my macros - 99% of the time, I have stayed within my calories when check a the end of the day - a few times i couldn't complete my diary because I hadnt eaten enough calories.
There is no doubt and plenty of studies that eliminating or drastically lowering your sugar intake will assist in weight loss.
I'm heading out for the day and really don't have time for another sugar debate, but could you clarify-are you saying that by lowering your sugar intake you're lowering your calorie intake, which helps create the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals? Or are you saying that if you lower your sugar intake, but continue eating at your TDEE or even at a calorie surplus over your TDEE, you'll lose weight just because you've cut out/down on sugar?
Also, how did you remove your calories from your dashboard? When I go into my settings calories is the only thing I can't remove (it shows that it's required).
No, did not lower my calorie intake. Just saying that my hitting all of my macros, I'm usually under. there is a rare occasion that Im not under and thats great. I can't answer your question because I haven't been focused on my calories, I haven't changed them -but I do measure my macros by % of calories and not by grams.
Also, I have no idea how I did it, but once I get some coffee, I will check out my settings and figure it out - I stumbled on it one day haha. I am a paid user, don't know if you are, so it may be something that is afforded in their premium membership only..but check back later and i will have figured it out.
No debate Happy Sunday!
I use the free version so that's probably it I'd love to discuss the other part of your post but now I'm running late and really have to step away from the computer lol.
Enjoy your day.0 -
"don't worry, it must be muscle gains"9
-
LisaClifford731 wrote: »"You don't need to worry about calories, only sugar!"
My god I could eat 5,000 calories with minimal sugar, doesn't make it magically defy the law of CICO. And this came from someone who knew I have recently lost 12kg doing calorie counting
I agree with you that 5000 calories and no sugar wouldn't do much. But i can say that after lowering my total sugar intake (refined and natural) to 20g or under, my weight loss took off. The body doesn't need more sugar than that. of course, you would have to watch other macros such as carbs and sodium...Even "Fat" content doesn't bother me all that much and I am over (just a little) most days - but I have consistently lost 1-2 lbs since I've started following this rule.
I won't say that I don't care about my calories, but I am not a slave to that number. I don't even have my calories on my dashboard, I have my macros and honestly, If I hit my macros - 99% of the time, I have stayed within my calories when check a the end of the day - a few times i couldn't complete my diary because I hadnt eaten enough calories - so "poor me" - I had to eat more
There is no doubt and plenty of studies that eliminating or drastically lowering your sugar intake will assist in weight loss.
It will only help in the sense that fat and protein (and fiber) are more filling than sugar... so you'll be less hungry, and less likely to eat too much.
If you still eat 20g of sugar but eat too much of the rest, you still won't lose anything. It's ALWAYS CICO.
ETA: quoted post is a perfect answer to this thread - that it's sugar that makes you fat...4 -
turn that fat into muscles14
-
Moderation is impossible for everyone
You have to eat clean
You need to starve yourself to lose
Quick weight loss is the best weight loss
One day will ruin your efforts. Don't even bother trying to go back to normal the next day.6 -
Pizza isn't healthy.
You should jump start your metabolism by drinking tea, shakes, not eating foods with an s, dropping your calories to 500 for 2 weeks, etc.
Don't eat any white foods.
If you aren't losing weight you should eat more.6 -
ReaderGirl3 wrote: »dustedwithsugar wrote: »Eating every 3 hours will help to lose weight
This is not a myth actually. If you eat more frequent but little portions, your body has time to digest what you ate and you are less hungry in a process. Also eating when you're NOT hungry helps to fill you up faster leading to eating less at meal time.
This is a myth as it varies per person. I don't do well on frequent, small meals as they always leave me hungry. This is why many people adopt an IF style of eating, as meal times are a preference. There is nothing special about small, frequent meals in and of itself that would induce weight loss.
Then you don't eat right macros per meal. It's really that easy. I was of same thought as you before I started to look at meal macros.
Macros breakdown doesn't matter for weight loss either. In terms of weight loss the only thing that matters is that you're eating at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals.
This is only true for people who don't have metabolic disorders that mess with carb metabolism. As many of those disorders go hand in hand with obesity, it's a bit disingenuous to state that macros don't matter, given the typical weight loss users of this website.3 -
To me -and my research, understanding and personal experience, CICO is a myth.
100 calories of a vegetable is not the same as 100 calories of say, a candy bar. There are other issues to consider. There is no fiber in the candy bar for one.. Your insulin levels are going to spike with the candy. I've never bought into that CICO argument. But if it's working for you that's great.1
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 388 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 908 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.2K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions