About one out of every three adults in the U.S. are considered to be obese. And unfortunately, health problems associated with obesity are the second leading cause of preventable death behind smoking. If you want to lose weight in a healthy way, it’s important to know the facts. But with so many misconceptions about weight loss out there, deciphering fact from fiction can be quite the challenge. Here are a few of the most common myths about how to lose weight and lose it for good.

Weight loss/dieting pills work.
If you believe this, you’ve fallen victim to another marketing campaign that was simply too good to be true. Healthline says, “There are all sorts of different supplements out there that claim to have dramatic effects, but they are never very effective when studied. The main reason they can work for some people is the placebo effect. People fall for the marketing and want the supplements to help them lose weight, so they become more conscious of what they eat.” Keep in mind, however, that some supplements can have a very small effect on weight loss is taken over the long term.

Obesity isn’t genetic/biological
If someone has ever told you that will power alone is enough to make anyone lose weight, they’ve been entirely misinformed. And so have you! The fact is, there are a number of variables that go into how prone a person is to developing obesity. Genes play a major role, as do any underlying medical conditions. Losing weight isn’t as universally simple as “eat less, exercise more.” A medical weight loss program can help you develop a customized plan designed to work for you.

Cutting carbs is always an effective weight loss method.
This may seem logical, but it’s not quite as simple as it sounds. While refined carbs and wheat products loaded with preservatives such as white bread and baked goods are proven to be directly related to weight gain, carb-heavy foods like oats and quinoa hold significant nutritional value and are considered to be healthy foods. Carbs aren’t the enemy here, additives are.

Ultimately, a little research goes a long way when it comes to healthy weight loss. For more information about living a healthy lifestyle and losing weight safely and effectively, contact Nanticoke Health.