Dieting, Nutrition, Losing Weight and Myths Debunked

24

Replies

  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying.

    Water myth 1: There has never been evidence that 8 glasses is better than 6 or 9. It's a completely arbitrary generalization. We need enough liquid to keep from getting thirsty and to keep our urine fairly clear. And that's all. It may take you 8 glasses, but it may take more or less. The fact is that it will likely take different amounts on different days depending on diet and activity.

    Water myth 2: Plain water is not better at hydration than other liquids including caffienated beverages. In fact, some studies have shown tea to actually be healthier than water.

    Water myth3: Drinking more water will help with weight loss. Studies have failed to prove that drinking more water than is necessary for hydration has any affect on weight loss.

    Ahh ok, yea I agree about the water myths. Just forgot to put them in.

    Although myth 2, I will say that water is better for you than Coke or something along those lines simply because of the chemicals in soft drinks.

    I also agree with what you said with myth 3. Drinking water doesn't directly help with weight loss, although if you were once drinking sodas (not diet sodas), and then started drinking only water. The calorie deficit going from soda to water will be less calorie intake so you essentially could lose weight from that perspective.
  • anulle2009
    anulle2009 Posts: 580 Member
    I was even told by my nutrionist i saw, 85% diet and 15% exercise is the key to lose weight!
  • Sublog
    Sublog Posts: 1,296 Member
    Great post. This info is all up to date with the latest science in the field of nutrition.

    One thing I cannot stress enough is diet is key to weight loss! You cannot out train a bad diet. So many people get caught up with the mentality that your workouts are the key to fitness goals. It's so far from the truth.

    The truth is all workout routines work with a good diet. One thing I've learned over the past 11 months that I've lost 141 lbs is that you don't need to kill yourself at the gym or work out 7-10 times per week. I do almost zero cardio now, only go to the gym 3 days a week and do a full body split, and I still lose 2 lbs a week.

    I've learned through this process that I can work smarter, not harder. I eat ice cream for breakfast, and I eat out for dinner once per day, every.single.day and I lose weight. I don't eat many vegetables, nor fruit. Diets need not be boring or restrictive. All you must learn is moderation and balance in your diet.

    Losing fat has become ridiculously easy for me. Weight loss is not magic. It's math. Once you understand the problem, it's easy to get the results you desire with a little manipulation of your diet.

    I'm assuming by a "good diet" you mean simply one that allows weight loss. Because IMO a "good diet" is a healthy diet. You don't need exercise or a healthy diet to lose weight, but you need vegetables and you need to limit sugar for good diet. And exercise is key to good health and should be part of a good diet.

    Why do we "need" vegetables again? Why do we need to limit sugar? Does sugar make you fat? Nope, excess calories do.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying.

    Water myth 1: There has never been evidence that 8 glasses is better than 6 or 9. It's a completely arbitrary generalization. We need enough liquid to keep from getting thirsty and to keep our urine fairly clear. And that's all. It may take you 8 glasses, but it may take more or less. The fact is that it will likely take different amounts on different days depending on diet and activity.

    Water myth 2: Plain water is not better at hydration than other liquids including caffienated beverages. In fact, some studies have shown tea to actually be healthier than water.

    Water myth3: Drinking more water will help with weight loss. Studies have failed to prove that drinking more water than is necessary for hydration has any affect on weight loss.

    Ahh ok, yea I agree about the water myths. Just forgot to put them in.

    Although myth 2, I will say that water is better for you than Coke or something along those lines simply because of the chemicals in soft drinks.

    I also agree with what you said with myth 3. Drinking water doesn't directly help with weight loss, although if you were once drinking sodas (not diet sodas), and then started drinking only water. The calorie deficit going from soda to water will be less calorie intake so you essentially could lose weight from that perspective.

    Agreed, but then if you went from eating cake to eating rice cakes you'd lose too because it's all about the sugar, just as non-diet sodas to water is all about the sugar. But going from drinking black coffee or plain tea to water won't help a bit with weight loss. But some studies have suggested that caffeine does help with weight loss, and numerous studies have shown the power of the antioxidants in brewed teas. I'm a tea lover, in case you couldn't tell. :wink:
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Agreed, but then if you went from eating cake to eating rice cakes you'd lose too because it's all about the sugar, just as non-diet sodas to water is all about the sugar. But going from drinking black coffee or plain tea to water won't help a bit with weight loss. But some studies have suggested that caffeine does help with weight loss, and numerous studies have shown the power of the antioxidants in brewed teas. I'm a tea lover, in case you couldn't tell. :wink:

    There are some bodybuilders that I talk to online that swear by cutting down to about 10% bodyfat and then taking an ECA stack to further cut down even more faster to get into contest shape, however I have never tried this and don't know if it works. Some swear by it. I don't agree with taking stimulants like this. Coffee or Tea is enough. lol

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECA_stack
  • hypashan
    hypashan Posts: 10
    Bump! great post it's amazing how many people thinik they need to kill themselves working out to loose weight.
  • deanadimples
    deanadimples Posts: 419 Member
    I couldn't agree more with a lot of what you said. Dieting is really a simple concept when you think of it, and people buying into these myths make it much harder than it is.

    I've been eating 3 meals a day with a snack here and there and I've eaten all hours, even late at night. I have never understood why some people "won't eat after 7pm". It just seems ridiculous to me! I eat all sorts of food and keep my workouts daily but 30-45 mins. It's enough to get the deficits I need to see good results on the scale and I'm seeing my muscles toned. If I had to eat 7x a day and all by a certain hour and had to align with these myths, I'd still be in a bigger pair of pants!

    Thanks for the great post!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Great post. This info is all up to date with the latest science in the field of nutrition.

    One thing I cannot stress enough is diet is key to weight loss! You cannot out train a bad diet. So many people get caught up with the mentality that your workouts are the key to fitness goals. It's so far from the truth.

    The truth is all workout routines work with a good diet. One thing I've learned over the past 11 months that I've lost 141 lbs is that you don't need to kill yourself at the gym or work out 7-10 times per week. I do almost zero cardio now, only go to the gym 3 days a week and do a full body split, and I still lose 2 lbs a week.

    I've learned through this process that I can work smarter, not harder. I eat ice cream for breakfast, and I eat out for dinner once per day, every.single.day and I lose weight. I don't eat many vegetables, nor fruit. Diets need not be boring or restrictive. All you must learn is moderation and balance in your diet.

    Losing fat has become ridiculously easy for me. Weight loss is not magic. It's math. Once you understand the problem, it's easy to get the results you desire with a little manipulation of your diet.

    I'm assuming by a "good diet" you mean simply one that allows weight loss. Because IMO a "good diet" is a healthy diet. You don't need exercise or a healthy diet to lose weight, but you need vegetables and you need to limit sugar for good diet. And exercise is key to good health and should be part of a good diet.

    Why do we "need" vegetables again? Why do we need to limit sugar? Does sugar make you fat? Nope, excess calories do.

    Sugar spikes your insulin and can lead to insulin resistance. That is not "good" so not part of a good diet except in very limited quantities. Vegetables provide necessary fiber and nutrients that your body needs to function correctly, so they are also necessary for a "good" diet. When I was in my teens and early 20's I'd go all day eating nothing but a Snickers bar or one taco if I thought I put on a lb or two. I was thin, but that didn't mean it was a "good diet".
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    I think you guys are on two different things here.

    Sublog is talking about weight loss and calories in versus calories out, while bcatt is talking about eating a "good" diet for good general health purposes...right? :)
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I think you guys are on two different things here.

    Sublog is talking about weight loss and calories in versus calories out, while bcatt is talking about eating a "good" diet for good general health purposes...right? :)

    Yes! I said that in my first reply. A "good" unhealthy diet is an oxymoron. BUT, that doesn't mean you can't lose weight on a bad diet. Unhealthy food = bad food, what quantities are eaten doesn't change that.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Yes! I said that in my first reply. A "good" unhealthy diet is an oxymoron. BUT, that doesn't mean you can't lose weight on a bad diet. Unhealthy food = bad food, what quantities are eaten doesn't change that.

    Exactly.

    So what are the chances of this getting stickied? Probably not so good huh.
  • boobear00
    boobear00 Posts: 53 Member
    bump for later
  • ladybug2020
    ladybug2020 Posts: 83 Member
    Bump. I enjoyed your post. Look forward to reading more
  • campi_mama
    campi_mama Posts: 350 Member
    Nice! Thanks for this. The "low fat" myth drives me bananas. I ♥ me some good fats :)
  • wildon883r
    wildon883r Posts: 429 Member
    What exactly about the 8 glasses of water a day myth? Are you saying that we don't need to drink 8 glasses of water a day and hydrate our bodies? *confused*

    Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying.

    Water myth 1: There has never been evidence that 8 glasses is better than 6 or 9. It's a completely arbitrary generalization. We need enough liquid to keep from getting thirsty and to keep our urine fairly clear. And that's all. It may take you 8 glasses, but it may take more or less. The fact is that it will likely take different amounts on different days depending on diet and activity.

    Water myth 2: Plain water is not better at hydration than other liquids including caffienated beverages. In fact, some studies have shown tea to actually be healthier than water.

    Water myth3: Drinking more water will help with weight loss. Studies have failed to prove that drinking more water than is necessary for hydration has any affect on weight loss.

    8 glasses of water a day is a low end estimate for most people. We should roughly consume half our body weight in ounces of water daily Caffeine is a diuretic meaning it causes you to expel water. For hydration purposes it's not the best choice. Today i probably consumed 18 cups of water/drinks if not more. and i wasn't urinating real frequently. About once an hour which is optimum in high heat conditions. Properly hydrated your urine should be clear. My consumption changes depending on circumstances be it heat, exercise. 100 ounces of water on top of all other fluids is about normal for my daily intake.

    Tea has many healthy benifits. Hydration doesn't top the list. Water of course helps with fat metabolism. So yes it does assist in fat loss which in turn equals weight loss.
  • fastbelly
    fastbelly Posts: 727 Member
    Another great post!!

    Exercise is a complement to your diet. Its something that will help you loose weight but in itself won't make you loose weight.

    There are some things (despite the studies you talk about) that I don't agree 100% but for the most part this is very sound information.
  • lclarkjr
    lclarkjr Posts: 359 Member
    Good post and worth the read.
  • missy_1975
    missy_1975 Posts: 244 Member
    Bump
  • klt1030
    klt1030 Posts: 82 Member
    Bumping so I remember to read later
  • Yori1
    Yori1 Posts: 142
    bump
  • Suziq2you
    Suziq2you Posts: 396 Member
    bump
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I fully agree that it's more about what you eat than exercise, but...

    * Exercise will allow you to eat more, which is always a plus for me.

    * And exercise will make you look better once the weight is lost.

    Also wanted to point out that eating late doesn't make you gain weight, but a lot of people will freak out because they get on the scale the next morning and might weigh more, just because their body hasn't had the time yet to process the food yet. In other words... they haven't pooped yet.
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
    Bump.... to read more later.
  • lkm111
    lkm111 Posts: 629 Member
    Some very good points. The first one will help me tremendously. When I'm going through a normal teaching day, there is no possible way to fit in a snack or mini-meal. I'm barely able to fit in lunch. Thanks for lowering my stress a bit! :smile:
  • DorkothyParker
    DorkothyParker Posts: 618 Member
    Yay! I love reading material that supports my own beliefs.

    You're right, if it contradicted what I already thought, I would have backed out immediately as I am horrid like that.
  • shaunsta1
    shaunsta1 Posts: 5
    Hello i am new to this - and i have set myself up...
    im confused as it tells me that i have to eat 1200 calories a day to loose weight........

    But i have checked other calorie counter calculators on line and some say 852 - 926 - 1300??

    How do i know what the right amount is??

    Help please..... thanks :-))
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    What exactly about the 8 glasses of water a day myth? Are you saying that we don't need to drink 8 glasses of water a day and hydrate our bodies? *confused*

    Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying.

    Water myth 1: There has never been evidence that 8 glasses is better than 6 or 9. It's a completely arbitrary generalization. We need enough liquid to keep from getting thirsty and to keep our urine fairly clear. And that's all. It may take you 8 glasses, but it may take more or less. The fact is that it will likely take different amounts on different days depending on diet and activity.

    Water myth 2: Plain water is not better at hydration than other liquids including caffienated beverages. In fact, some studies have shown tea to actually be healthier than water.

    Water myth3: Drinking more water will help with weight loss. Studies have failed to prove that drinking more water than is necessary for hydration has any affect on weight loss.

    8 glasses of water a day is a low end estimate for most people. We should roughly consume half our body weight in ounces of water daily Caffeine is a diuretic meaning it causes you to expel water. For hydration purposes it's not the best choice. Today i probably consumed 18 cups of water/drinks if not more. and i wasn't urinating real frequently. About once an hour which is optimum in high heat conditions. Properly hydrated your urine should be clear. My consumption changes depending on circumstances be it heat, exercise. 100 ounces of water on top of all other fluids is about normal for my daily intake.

    Tea has many healthy benifits. Hydration doesn't top the list. Water of course helps with fat metabolism. So yes it does assist in fat loss which in turn equals weight loss.

    Dispelling the caffinated tea will not hydrate you myth: (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5281046.stm)
    "The work in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition dispels the common belief that tea dehydrates.

    Tea not only rehydrates as well as water does, but it can also protect against heart disease and some cancers, UK nutritionists found."
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Hello i am new to this - and i have set myself up...
    im confused as it tells me that i have to eat 1200 calories a day to loose weight........

    But i have checked other calorie counter calculators on line and some say 852 - 926 - 1300??

    How do i know what the right amount is??

    Help please..... thanks :-))

    The less you eat the more weight you will lose. The question is do you want to lose healthily or not. You need to eat a certain amount of calories to maintain muscle and for your body to function correctly, just the same as you need to eat certain nutrients. But that doesn't mean you won't be thinner if you simply eat a small amount of unhealthy food.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    The less you eat the more weight you will lose. The question is do you want to lose healthily or not. You need to eat a certain amount of calories to maintain muscle and for your body to function correctly, just the same as you need to eat certain nutrients. But that doesn't mean you won't be thinner if you simply eat a small amount of unhealthy food.

    ^This. Spoken like a true prodigy.
  • alleyag
    alleyag Posts: 142
    Agreed man! Great post!
This discussion has been closed.

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