6 of the Worst Weight Loss Myths for Women

Before we can dispel the top weight loss myths for women, we need to accept that there are two main truths when it comes to women’s weight loss.

1. Many women want to lose weight or at least tone their bodies
2. Much of the weight loss advice on the internet is NOT true

Luckily, the team at the Fit Mother Project has come together to show you the biggest weight loss myths for women.

When you’re a busy mom, you need to be able to identify weight loss myths so that you can focus on a program that fits your body, metabolism and lifestyle.

Our compilation of the biggest myths in women’s weight loss may bring a few surprises. Remember that you are in control of your own weight loss and you can only be successful with the right information and proper motivation.

Read on to learn how to identify weight loss myths for women over 40 and lose weight a healthier, more effective way.

Weight Loss Myth #1:
Healthy Food is Expensive

Thinking that healthy foods are more expensive than junk foods is one of the biggest myths you could buy into.

First of all, you don’t need to buy “superfoods” to eat healthy.

Yes, matcha and chia seeds and cacao do have amazing properties that build strong, healthy bodies.

But fruit is fruit, chicken is chicken, and nuts are just nuts. Anything that is raw and unprocessed will be healthy for you and your family.

Not sure where all the normal, healthy food is? Now that food brands are getting smart, they’re marketing everything as “low calorie” or “organic.”

But labels don’t make food healthy. What’s in your food is what makes it healthy.

One of our favorite tricks to find truly healthy food is to shop on the perimeter of your supermarket. This is where the meat, fruit and veggies all are.

Now, organic produce can be more expensive than others. This is why we recommend that you buy your meat and fish in bulk to save on cost.

Buying your meats and fish in bulk will allow you to capitalize on sales and have what you need in your freezer.

Weight Loss Myth #2:
My Kids Won't Eat Healthy Food

As a mom, you have to care for and ultimately buy groceries for your entire family.

The cereal aisle is the perfect example of the high stakes – you choose Raisin Bran, the kids cry. They pick Lucky Charms, and you worry about cavities.

It seems like trying to get your family to eat healthy with you is too difficult to be worth it. At least, that’s what many moms think.

In reality, eating healthy can feel like a big adjustment. But if you handle it gradually and prepare to be flexible, you and your entire family can be eating healthy in about a month.

One of the best ways to wean your family off of unhealthy snacks or eating out too often is to make a week-by-week plan. Since everyone has different families, you will likely need to alter the plan below for your specific needs.

Week 1: Replace unhealthy snacks (chips, cookies, etc) with healthier alternatives (air popped popcorn, nuts, raw fruit and vegetables with healthy dips).

Week 2: Don’t get fast food when you’re in a pickle. Instead, prep more food than you need for a few dinners in a row and stash them in your freezer.

Week 3: Start meal planning. Let your kids help make the menus so everyone’s involved, and have them help you find everything in the grocery store.

Week 4: Begin to monitor your family’s portion sizes and the times that they’re eating. Too much of healthy food can be a bad thing too.

Weight Loss Myth #3:
You Have to Go on a Diet

Let’s get this out of the way right now: being on a diet is different than eating healthily.

Most diets are centered around reducing your food intake. And while portion control is important, it is NOT the central idea around eating for a healthy body.

Eating healthy means that you are consuming the raw, natural foods that your body needs at the right times of the day and in the right portions.

For detailed information on how you can eat healthy, visit our Free Diet and Workout.

The 1-day Fit Mom Fat Loss Meal Plan provides what you need to be eating and in what portions, ensuring that there is no ambiguity. And with our VIP email coaching, all of your questions will be answered by a Fit Mom Expert.

Weight Loss Myth #4:
Counting Calories is a Requirement

On average, most women eat around 2,000 calories a day.

Basic logic would tell us that if we just reduce the number of calories that we eat in a day, we would lose weight.

Not necessarily! If you only reduce the number of calories you ate every day, you still might not be giving your body the nutrients it needs to survive. You might have made NO progress towards losing weight.

 And here’s why: not all calories are created equally.

For an example, a chicken breast can have around 200 calories. In these calories, your body gets protein and a little fat. Your body will feel full after eating it and your metabolism will work quickly to break it down.

On the other hand, you could drink a 200 calorie can of soda. With the soda, the 200 calories is all made up of sugar. Your body’s blood sugar level will spike and you’ll store the excess sugar as fat.

So there you have it – just reducing calories alone will NOT help you to lose weight.

Weight Loss Myth #5:
Carbs are the Enemy

Now, we did just make the point that the type of food you eat matters. You cannot just reduce your caloric intake and expect pounds to drop off.

So what is this about defending bread? Let us explain.

The reason why people think simple carbohydrates (like bread) are bad for weight loss is, that they are easily stored as fat cells in your body if you’re not able to use them up right away.

However, there’s something else that you need to know. There is a big difference between simple and complex carbs.

 All that simple carbs provide is a brief energy boost that increases insulin in your body.

Complex carbs, on the other hand, take longer for your body to digest. They do not spike your insulin levels and do not increase your fat storage.

When you look for complex carbs, here is a list of our favorites:

• Steel cut oatmeal
• Yams or sweet potatoes
• Brown rice
• Couscous
• Quinoa

Keep in mind that carbs are an important part of a healthy diet, you just have to choose the right ones.

Weight Loss Myth #6:
Losing Weight is Difficult

Yes, we know that you may have tried to lose weight in the past and failed to keep it off.

The good thing is, it’s happened to all of us before. Each one of the experts who power the Fit Mom Project have been in your shoes.

We've been addicted to sugar, trying fad diets, and getting so frustrated that we give up.

But all that means is that we can bring all of our learnings to you.

We can teach you how to choose a healthier, leaner, stronger lifestyle for yourself and for your family.

At the end of the day, isn't that what it’s for?

So download the Free Diet and Workout plan and start conquering your goals. You can do it.

Your friend in health,

*Please know that weight loss results & health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on weight loss myths.