6 weight loss myths you should know about

Written By Archana Iyer | Updated: Oct 26, 2015, 05:00 PM IST

Nawaz Modi Singhania

When the mind, body, spirit and psyche work at optimum level in all ways and in unison, in a highly charged, positive fashion, then one is truly healthy.

Nawaz Modi Singhania, the wife of Raymonds tycoon Gautam Singhania, has been running her gym 'Body Art' for the past 23 years. This World Obesity Day, she busts six popular myths about weight loss.

Don’t lose weight too quickly, go slow or you’ll gain it back as rapidly as you lost them: If you’re doing it right, you will lose fat, inches and weight fast! You’ll gain it back faster, only if you get careless, slacken and go back to your old, unhealthy ways.

All fats are bad fats: Not true. Certain fats are good and very much required by the body. These are the omega fatty acids, especially omega 3 and 6. Some sources of omegas are salmon, nuts, seeds and avocado. A very healthy oil to use is canola oil because it's rich omega 3 and 6.

Carbs will make you gain weight instead of losing them: Fruits and vegetables are carbs and your body needs more of them! Cut out the white starches and wheat from your diet, which includes items such as rice, chapatti, potato, bread, cakes and pasta. There are many healthy substitutes to these such as quinoa grain, bajra, nachni /ragi and jowar etc.

Weight training will make you bulk up: Weight training is for those who want to tighten and tone their bodies while keeping fat  and extra inches at bay. It is to increase muscular stamina. For those who want to specifically bulk up and work on strength per say, their work out regime at the gym will be entirely different.

Low fat’ labels are always healthy options: Read ingredient labels more carefully. ‘Low fat’ foods often have high sugar or high starch. Many packaged foods with a long shelf-life also have preservatives, colourants, oils or salts – which are all unhealthy for you and could increase your weight!

Thin is healthy:  When the mind, body, spirit and psyche work at optimum level in all ways and in unison, in a highly charged, positive fashion, then one is truly healthy. Exercising, eating right, drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, a healthy lifestyle, thinking right, feeling right and even spirituality are all great contributors to overall health and well-being.