Weight Loss Myths
Daylight savings time has actually had a pretty positive effect on my workouts. My inner clock is still set to wake up happy between 6:30- 6:45a except the actual time now is 5:30-5:45a. I don't feel groggy or like I'm missing out on any sleep AND it is light out earlier so I don't get intimidated by the darkness and use it as an excuse to go back to bed. When I wake up earlier I feel better about the workout. It makes me feel like I'm one of those fitness bad asses that actually enjoy waking up early to workout. I feel like I set myself up for more productivity when I've already been up and worked out before I get to work.
The one downside is that the "fall back" happens in November when it gets super cold in the mornings. This morning I woke up and enjoyed all of the aforementioned things and then I stepped out onto the porch and felt how cold it was. I pushed through and did some running just to warm up! When I finished my walk I was chilled but comfortable.
It made me wonder if you really do burn more calories in the cold or if that is just a myth. In my quest to find out, I found some other interesting myths that I think are rekindling my spark...
Myth: Eating after 6 p.m. (or 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.) makes you gain weight.
This one I totally believed. Just last night, in fact, I was thinking that I should make this a rule for myself. As it turns out, it is what you eat, not what time you eat it. Feels like a duh moment doesn't it?
According to the Women's Day article I found, “There’s no evidence that eating after a certain time promotes weight gain—nor is there evidence that not eating past a certain hour will help you lose or maintain weight,” says Elisa Zied, nutrition consultant and author of Nutrition at Your Fingertips. The truth: Eating oversize portions at night is often indicative of eating poorly during the day. Whether you skipped breakfast or didn't eat enough nutritious, satisfying foods throughout the day, it's likely that you'll be eating your biggest—and most caloric meal—at night, which is ultimately causing you to pack on the pounds. “The best way to manage late-night hunger is to have evenly spaced meals and snacks every few hours to stabilize blood sugar, which keeps hunger at bay,” says Zied. Photo: Thinkstock
Myth: If you only eat healthy foods, you'll definitely lose weight.
This one came from the Women's Day article too. I didn't so much believe this one as used it as a convenient thing to site when I needed an excuse. “Eating large quantities of high-quality
foods such as olive oil, some fish, brown rice or nuts can do just as
much damage to your weight as eating butter, pizza and cookies,” says
Blatner (the expert from the article). Just because something is "healthy" doesn't mean binging is a good plan. I have a nasty habit of eating more of something than I usually would just because it is whole grain or cooked in a better oil than lard. The article suggests this to control portions: “Use a small (8-in.) plate and
mentally divide your meal into three parts: 1/4 whole grains, 1/4 lean
protein and 1/2 produce." Also pay attention to the immediate physical
signals of fullness, at which point you’ve likely eaten enough, Blatner
explains. Photo: Shutterstock
Myth: Working out in cold weather burns more calories.
I was THRILLED to find out that the one myth I thought I'd find, turns out to be pretty true! According to another Women's Day article, shivering from cold
temperatures revs up calorie burn, because your body
works to heat itself up. Their expert didn't recommend that you go sunbath on an ice shelf because the difference isn't that profound. However, it does prove to be a little boost to a workout when you do it in the cold instead of in a toasty warm place inside. Between the cold and the running this morning I gave my ordinary walk workout a boost I really needed. I don't think I'll be doing it when it is snowing or 20 below but for now I think it is a little extra benefit.
The one downside is that the "fall back" happens in November when it gets super cold in the mornings. This morning I woke up and enjoyed all of the aforementioned things and then I stepped out onto the porch and felt how cold it was. I pushed through and did some running just to warm up! When I finished my walk I was chilled but comfortable.
It made me wonder if you really do burn more calories in the cold or if that is just a myth. In my quest to find out, I found some other interesting myths that I think are rekindling my spark...
Myth: Certain Foods Make You Burn Calories
I didn't actually believe this one to begin with but there was a nugget of information I found that I did find really helpful. Weight lifting is the most effective way to enhance your metabolism. According to the Web MD dietician, by building muscle you increase the number of calories
your body burns when at rest. I've heard weight lifting is good for losing weight but I didn't understand that muscle burns 6 calories at rest when fat burns 2. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn.
Web MD has 5 myths they debunk. Check out the whole article here.
Myth: Eating after 6 p.m. (or 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.) makes you gain weight.
According to the Women's Day article I found, “There’s no evidence that eating after a certain time promotes weight gain—nor is there evidence that not eating past a certain hour will help you lose or maintain weight,” says Elisa Zied, nutrition consultant and author of Nutrition at Your Fingertips. The truth: Eating oversize portions at night is often indicative of eating poorly during the day. Whether you skipped breakfast or didn't eat enough nutritious, satisfying foods throughout the day, it's likely that you'll be eating your biggest—and most caloric meal—at night, which is ultimately causing you to pack on the pounds. “The best way to manage late-night hunger is to have evenly spaced meals and snacks every few hours to stabilize blood sugar, which keeps hunger at bay,” says Zied. Photo: Thinkstock
Myth: If you only eat healthy foods, you'll definitely lose weight.
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| Photo: Shutterstock |
<3 Katie
Day 147
193lbs
Feeling rekindled
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