The top 5 myths to bust about weight optimization

Myth: If I am over-weight, I eat too much.
Truth: Most of my clients are surprised by how much food I ask them to eat and how they are able to achieve their optimal weight by doing so. Starving your body triggers our hard-wired survival mechanisms to kick in, slow our metabolism and conserve body fat. Consuming regular, nutrient dense meals revs the metabolism, encouraging fat burning and optimal function in all bodily systems.

Myth: To lose weight, I need to count my calories.
Truth: The composition of your meals and snacks has a much greater impact on optimal body weight than calorie counting alone. For example; one medium sweet potato (102 calories), a handful of leafy greens (4 calories) and a boneless, skinless chicken breast (142 calories) contains slightly less calories than a 2oz Snickers bar. I have seen many average folks and elite athletes alike lose fat and gain muscle eating balanced, nutritious meals like the one described above. I have yet to meet a single person who was able to achieve the same goal by eating the same amount of calories from candy bars.

Myth: If I skip breakfast I’ll eat less during the day.
Truth: You’ve heard this from your mother, probably your Grandma too, breakfast IS the most important meal of the day, ESPECIALLY if you are trying to optimize your weight. Studies have proven that the habit of eating a balanced breakfast not only promotes healthy body weight but also ensures you will maintain your optimal weight once your goal is achieved.

Myth: If I want to lose weight, I can’t eat carbohydrates.
Truth: Carbohydrates are one of 3 macro-nutrients required by the body (the others being protein and fat). It’s called a macro-nutrient because it is of major importance and necessary to sustain life. Carbohydrates are the preferred fuel source for the body. Our brain requires a steady stream of carbohydrate energy in order to process our thoughts, focus and achieve clarity. Cutting out carbs is a dangerous business that can leave you feeling fatigued, cranky and craving. This is particularly worrisome if you are introducing physical activity into your New Year’s plan. Instead of eliminating carbohydrates from the menu, pay special attention to the type of carbs you choose. These include all veggies, fruit and grains; the higher the fibre, the better your choice for optimal weight. Know your metabolic type!

Myth: Fat in my diet turns to fat in my body.
Truth: In my opinion, fat gets a bad rap. You’d think from all the “low-fat”, “fat-free” labels on food packages these days fat was the worst thing you would possibly eat. But if you remember from the previous point on macro-nutrients, you’ll see fat listed among the big 3. Fat is the substance that surrounds and protects every cell of our body and is therefore an important factor in healthy immunity. Extremely low-fat diets can harm our health as much as excess amounts of “bad fats” (found in deep fried foods and animal fats). When working towards your optimal weight, choose healthy fats as part of a whole food, such as nuts, seeds and oily fish. Adequate intake of healthy fat will actually support your weight optimization goal, not hinder it. Ideally, your diet should contain 10% fats and oils based on your metabolic type.

There are a lot of “diet plans” out there. Be aware of where your information is coming from and whether or not it is appropriate for what YOUR body needs. Especially this winter, when strong immunity is so important, you don’t want to end up looking good on the outside while your total health takes a body blow from getting really sick!

Fuel Feature

Green Superfoods, such as spirulina, kale, broccoli and spinach are some of my all-time favourites for their therapeutic benefits. They assist in cleansing and detoxifying the body, absorbing toxic heavy metals and chemicals from our environment and our food, and help eliminate them from our system. Green Superfoods have a balancing effect on the blood sugar, helping to do away with cravings, as well (like that lingering sugar craving from the holidays!). Green Superfoods are also very alkalizing to the body, meaning they calm excess acidity and promote an internal environment that is inhospitable to germs, viruses and bacteria.
Whether your goal is to detoxify from all that holiday food and start the new year with a clean slate, kick start a weight loss plan or give your immune system a super charge, Green Superfoods, like those found in LivingFuel SuperGreens is a perfect choice.