Myth: “You need to cut calories drastically to lose weight”

Fact: When you cut back too hard on calories, the body goes into a survival mode in which your metabolic rate (how fast your body burns energy) slows down. Therefore decreasing your ability to lose weight.

Myth: “Only drastic diets work”

Fact: Sure, if you eat nothing but oranges all day long for a week, you'll inevitably lose weight. But if you are considering going on a diet of any kind, ask yourself: "Can I eat like this for the rest of my life?".

To take weight off, and keep it off, we suggest exercising regularly and gradually changing your diet habits so you are not forced to make huge change in the foods you eat.

Myth: “Starches make you fat”

Fact: This very controversial. Starchy foods such as potatoes, breads and pasta are among the fastest-burning foods you can eat and contain lots of energy. Keeping them in moderation is key, so you do not have to eliminate them entirely from your diet. They are also great post-exercise meals which help you replenish energy stores. Just remember to be smart with your portion sizes like any other foods you eat.

Myth: “You have to give up your favourite foods”

Fact: You don't. Depriving yourself of pleasure isn't fun, and it doesn't work. If you insist on completely avoiding something, human nature makes it likely that you will break your resolution. We recommend you pick a day each week where you treat yourself to your favorite meal (remember to keep it in moderation and watch portion sizes).

Myth: “Fad diets work for permanent weight loss”

Fact: Fad diets are not the best way to lose weight and keep it off. Fad diets often promise quick weight loss and tell you to cut certain foods out of your diet. You may even lose weight at first on one of these diets. But diets that strictly limit calories or recommend irregular food choices, are hard to follow. Most people quickly get tired of them and regain any lost weight.

Myth: “Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight”

Fact: Studies show that people who skip breakfast and eat fewer times during the day tend to be heavier than people who eat a healthy breakfast and eat four or five times a day. This is because people who skip meals tend to feel hungrier later in the day, therefore they eat more than they normally would. Eating many small meals (5-6 meals) throughout the day helps you control your appetite and speed up your metabolic rate (how fast your body burns energy).

Myth: “Eating after 8 p.m. causes weight gain”

Fact: It does not matter what time of day you eat. It is what and how much you eat and how much physical activity you do during the whole day that determines whether you gain, lose, or maintain your weight.