8 common weight loss myths DEBUNKED!

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There is a lot of conflicting information when it comes to weight loss, but here at the Healthy Mummy we like to keep it real.

That’s why we have REAL MUMS showing you their REAL RESULTS on our website and Facebook page each day. We have pulled together eight common weight loss myths and given them the Healthy Mummy once over.

Don’t buy into the idea that you need to spend loads of money to lose weight, or that you can’t lose weight when you’re a busy mum. It’s simply not true and we’ve got thousands of mums following our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge and achieving great results who will attest to that.

8 common weight loss myths debunked:

1. Healthy food is more expensive

rice meal

When you first start out on your new way of eating, you will have to do a big grocery shop to get your basic items.

This can be expensive, but once you have them in the house your next shop will be much cheaper as you’ll mostly just be topping up on fresh items like fruit, veggies, dairy, bread and wholegrains.

The majority of the recipes in the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge are customisable too, so if avocado is expensive where you live, replace it with some feta for your salad instead. If you’ve already got chicken breast in the freezer, use that in your stir fry instead of buying lamb that week.

Try this: Honey Lemon and Ginger Chicken Stirfry

2. My family won’t eat the same dinner as me if I’m trying to lose weight

Mexican Lasgane

Don’t assume that healthy eating means nothing but salad and mung beans. Far from it!

The recipes for the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge cover the full spectrum of hearty meals, including quiches, pies and frittatas, stir fries and casseroles, burgers and wraps, slow cooked stews and curries, Mexican nachos and quesadillas, Thai style noodles and laksa, pasta bakes and even parmigiana.

We pride ourselves on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge being totally family friendly, so you won’t have to cook two separate meals.

Try this: Mexican Lasagne

3. Drastically reducing calories is the way to go to drop kilos

It seems so simple doesn’t it. Cut down on how much you eat and the scale should show the numbers going down too. Unfortunately it’s just not the case.

Check out the BMR calculator HERE which shows you the correct amount of calories you should be consuming each day based on your height, weight and goals.

Severely restricting calories doesn’t support your metabolism to lose weight safely for the long term and we definitely don’t recommend missing meals or fasting.

4. I need to cut out whole food groups to lose weight

pasta brown

Poor old carbs get a bad reputation as the ‘bad guy’ for those of us trying to lose weight. But in fact no food group should be demonised in such a way.

Having said that, there are definitely better carbs that you can choose rather than sweet cakes, ice cream or biscuits.

Some good carb choices would be brown rice, wholegrain pasta or grainy bread. Keep your portion sizes in check, but you definitely don’t have to cut carbs to lose weight on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge

Try this: Wholegrain Pasta with Slow Cooked Ragu Sauce.

5. I should just focus on food first and worry about exercise later

ash

Food is the biggest factor when it comes to weight loss success, but adding exercise can really rev your results up a notch. That’s why the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge includes simple daily exercises that you can do AT HOME, with NO fancy equipment, with KIDS IN TOW.

We are mums too and we know that exercising for an hour on your own at the gym is a luxury that not many of us can afford in terms of both time and money. That’s why we are more realistic and give you five and ten minute chunks of exercise to do through the day as and when you can.

6. I should reduce my fat intake to drop weight

ice lolly

Fat is not the enemy and you need to know that fat can actually be an ally for weight loss. But it has to be the good kind! Deep fried food or greasy burgers are not going to make you feel good.

But healthy fats from avocado, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, coconut milk and olive oil will all help to keep you fuller for longer, and feeling more satisfied. This in turn will help you avoid overeating which is a major cause of weight gain.

Try this: Coconut Berry Ice Blocks.

7. I can’t have any chocolate if I am trying to lose weight

chocolate peppermint slice

We can’t imagine a life without chocolate or treats, and you shouldn’t have to! As part of the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge we have hundreds of healthy treat recipes that you can make yourself to enjoy without the high calorie and sugar count of store bought snacks.

Again portion control is important, so when you make a bliss ball recipe or a sweet slice be sure to wrap and freeze them individually. This way they are out of sight but readily available when you need a healthy snack or post-dinner sweet.

Try this: No Bake Peppermint Choc Slice.

8. I need to buy special diet food to lose weight

Cranberry-Puffed-Rice-Bar

The main places you should be heading in the supermarket are the fruit and veggie department, the meat counter, the bakery and the deli.

Anything that comes in a box or packet (and often anything with the word ‘healthy’ on it) is most likely highly processed and doesn’t need to form part of a healthy weight loss diet.

For instance muesli bars, sweetened yoghurts, freezer meals, diet soft drinks or low fat desserts are all not essential in a healthy trolley.

Try this: Homemade Muesli Bars

Join us on the March 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge!

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If you want to tackle your health and weight join our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge. With over 4,000 recipes, 350 fat burning exercises and 24/7 support The Healthy Mummy can help YOU hit your goal weight faster and healthier.

Each month is a NEW Challenge theme with new recipes, meal plans and exercises – which means you will never get bored. This March is the Butt and Thighs 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge!

To learn more about our Challenge OR to join – click here.

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