Too much Information and too many diets

Thousands of people around the world want to lose weight but have no idea where to start because there are so many conflicting facts about diets out there. I hope this letter will help sort out some of the confusion you have been facing.

One of the first misconceptions is that people think that if you reduce as many calories, from your diet, as you possibly can, that you can lose a great deal of weight quickly. This is very harmful for your body because you need calories for energy; your body, in fact, begins to starve. The most effective and safe way to lose weight is to do it gradually. If your prom or wedding is in May, start your diet at least five months before.

Another myth we face in our quest for a slimmer waistline is the one that tells us to only eat a certain type of food all day, every day. Grapefruit, pepper- laden water, and even hot dog diet fads have resulted in many binges over the years. Following dangerous fad diets means your body's not getting the necessary nutrients it needs to fight off illnesses and stay healthy.

You may have also heard that you can never stray from your diet. If you do, you'll need to exercise for hours to make up for it. This isn't true. It's okay to have that fudge brownie once in awhile. You only need to adjust your calorie intake for the day. There's really no need to exercise for hours just to compensate for one little treat.

Don't let anybody tell you that eating before bed will cause you to gain weight; that just isn't true. A healthy diet means you are counting calories, exercising, and keeping fit. If what you eat before bed is included in the daily allotment of calories you are allowed, that will in no way cause you to gain weight. It's all about the calories; not when you take them in.

While on the subject of calories, there are some diets that tell you to remove all calories from your diet completely. This is very harmful and will actually slow down your weight loss process. You need calories for energy; without them you cannot burn the excess calories you have built up (fat). Consult your doctor to find out who many calories a day you should be taking in and stay within those guidelines; but for goodness sakes, don't eliminate them completely. It's like trying to run a car without gas.

Some diets will tell you never to consume any dairy products because they are too high in fat. Your body needs the vitamins you get from milk, cheese, and other dairy products. Some statistics show that adding dairy to your diet may help improve your weight loss; just make sure you use low fat products if you wish to include them into your diet.

Try not to fall victim to the myriad of diet myths circulating the 'net. A healthy balance of proper eating (most of the time) and exercise can work wonders for your diet success!

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