Expert advice: Four misconceptions about weight loss debunked
Personal trainer, Owen Hambulo, the owner of Owen Fitness in Sandton, shares four common misconceptions people have about losing weight.
Losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle are some of the top goals that people have at the beginning of a new year.
There is also a spike in people joining the gym at this time of year.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, being physically
active “can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of
disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday
activities.”
Obesity is a global problem. A report by the Western Cape government states
that roughly 31% of men and 68% of women in the country are obese.
One of the things that contributes to unhealthy weight loss expectations is
misconceptions.
We spoke to Owen Hambulo, the owner of Owen Fitness in Sandton, who
shared four common misconceptions people have about losing weight.
READ: Oprah Winfrey warns against weight-loss gummies scam
It doesn’t take time or require much effort
Owen says the first
misconception people have is that as soon as they start exercising and eating
healthy, they will lose weight quickly. This is not true.
“Losing weight takes time and by slowly changing daily habits, it gets you a
step closer.”
The recommended weight loss per week is 1 to 2 kilograms.
Diet is not important as long as you exercise
“I’m sure
you’ve heard the old saying ‘you can’t out train a bad diet’. That’s true,”
says Owen.
He says both exercise and healthy eating is what will help you maintain a
healthy weight.
“Incorporating a healthy lifestyle and exercise is still the best and safest
way to lose weight in the long run,” says Owen.
However, some people might struggle to give up their favourite junk food.
Owen says it is about taking one step at a time.
“Slowly introduce healthy habits and work on your relationship with food to
adapt to a healthy lifestyle.”
Fad diets work
The personal trainer says people need to be careful of trendy weight-loss diets that promise dramatic results, aka fad diets.
“Fad diets often encourage deprivation and the demonisation of foods, which may
lead to nutrient deficiencies and disordered eating habits. They also focus on
quick results — and almost always on weight loss.”
It is advisable to speak to a dietician or nutritionist before trying out any
diet.
Fat burners
“You must have heard about fat
burner supplements? They are mostly assumed to be some magical pill that
helps in melting fat from your body. But, the reality is far from what you
perceive. They are actually made from ingredients that give extra boost to your
fat burning process. But they are certainly not a replacement to your daily
diet or exercise regimen that plays a key role in shedding those extra
kilos.”
READ: Personal trainer shares effective weight loss tips for the holiday season
Image courtesy of iStock/ @Antonio_Diaz