A Beginner’s Guide to Weight Loss
When it comes to weight loss, it can be easy to get confused by misinformation online, ineffective diet advice, adverts for unnecessary supplements, and influencers promoting unsustainable lifestyle changes. To help, let’s debunk some of the most common weight loss myths and set the record straight for a healthier approach when it comes to shedding pounds.
Healthier foods are more expensive.
Right? Wrong.
This doesn’t have to be the case! We recommend you buy frozen fruits and vegetables – they are cheaper and retain the same amount of nutrition as fresh produce! Try cheaper supermarkets or supermarket own brand groceries!
Write a shopping list and stick to it! The worst time to go shopping is when you’re hungry! Eat a balanced satisfying meal prior to popping out to the shops in order to reduce any unnecessary cravings and stick to a set out shopping list! This helps prevent waste and reduces the need for takeaways – lost weight and save money? It’s a yes from us!
Carbs are fattening.
Or are they? Carbohydrates such as pasta, bread, rice and potatoes are part of a balanced diet. Choosing the right types and right amount of carbohydrates is key to success!
Choose wholegrain options of bread, pasta, rice and breakfast cereals – they taste just as good and might help you to feel fuller for longer!
Here are a few of our favourites!
Intensive exercise is the only way to lose weight?
This just simply is not true! The most effective way to lose weight is to reduce the number of calories we eat and drink. Exercise can support weight loss and is always recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle, but in order to lose weight we simply must be eating less calories than we use!
Simple changes you can incorporate into your daily lifestyle to help burn extra calories:
30 minutes of daily exercise! This can be whatever you want it to be – just ensure it gets your heart rate going!
Try to walk 10,000 steps daily!
Doing an exercise you enjoy will be easier to maintain and a combination of exercise and a healthy diet is the most effective strategy for long term success!
Skipping meals equals weight loss.
Skipping meals actually equals hunger. Skipping meals can lead to excessive hunger and may lead to overeating later on. Regular, balanced meals and an adequate amount of water are essential for maintaining steady energy levels and preventing binge eating.
Skipping meals can make you feel tired as you could be lacking essential nutrients your body needs to function. By skipping breakfast your body may crave a more sugary snack later on in the day meaning you end up eating more calories!
I need to use weight loss supplements!
The likelihood is the only pounds you will lose with weight loss supplements are ££.
There’s no magic pill for weight loss. Some prescribed medications can play a role in supporting a weight loss journey, but do not replace the fundamentals of a healthy diet and regular exercise. Things like diet teas and miracle weight loss tablets usually do not work – if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!
Eating after 8pm can make me gain weight, right?
Wrong. It’s the overall daily caloric intake, not the timing, that influences weight gain. Focusing on what and how much you eat is more important than when you eat. For digestion though, itʼs best to avoid eating overly large meals close to bedtime. A doughnut doesn’t know if you are eating it at 8am or 8pm!
EXTREME DIETING is the way for me.
While it might be tempting to do a low-calorie crash diet to get quick results, they are often unsustainable, can lead to nutrient deficiencies, and more often than not do not result in long-term weight loss which causes a frustrating cycle of weight loss and gain. A healthy balanced diet, with a consistent calorie deficit of around 500 calories, is the key to effective and sustainable weight loss.
Shall we let you in on a little secret?
Well, it’s not so much of a secret now, given the huge popularity and media presence surrounding weight loss injections over the recent months. If you are struggling to lose weight and do need support and a little push in the right direction, then come and speak to our pharmacy team who can help you!
With the right support, professional advice and prescribed medical treatment, our weight loss service is designed to help those that meet a certain criteria, to lose weight safely but effectively. Our weight loss injections work by decreasing your appetite which in turn leads to a reduction of food intake. If the treatment plan is used in conjunction with a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise, it will help you to achieve your desired results by aiding your weight loss.