Being overweight and obese is associated with a number of health problems, including diabetes 2, hypertension, stroke, fatty liver diseases, etc.

Not only does it pose certain health risks, but it also negatively impacts your appearance physically.

So if you have been struggling with your weight for years, weight loss can be one of life’s most difficult challenges.

As a result, many people turn to quick fixes and fad diets in order to lose weight.

Here are some common misconceptions regarding weight loss.

Exercise will help you lose weight.

I’ve been blinded by this idea for many years.

True, exercise is part of the equation of weight loss. But exercise by itself alone will not do the job.

I started running when I quit smoking. I would run for an hour six times a week. I erroneously believed that exercise alone, especially those that involved intense activities will make me lose weight.

I was wrong, I never lost a single pound running.

Since I quit smoking, the taste of food has never been so much better. So even though I was running hard almost every day, I was consuming food more than my body needed.

It took a while for me to realize that in order to lose weight successfully, I have to reduce my food consumption. And so I did, then I started losing weight.

Certain foods or drinks can boost metabolism to help you lose weight.

I am a green tea lover, and I’ve been drinking it for years. One of the reasons why I fell in love with it is because it is claimed that it is effective in weight loss.

I hate to say it, but no matter how many cups I drank, I didn’t lose weight. But I kept on drinking it because of its healthy benefits.

The same thing with certain foods like beans, dark chocolate, nuts, apples, and yogurt (source). All claim that these types of foods will help you lose weight but quite the contrary if you will not cut back your food intake, you will never lose weight.

Fats will make you fat.

Fat alone will not make you gain weight.

In fact, a diet known as the Keto Diet involves consuming fats (70%), protein (25%) and the restriction of carbohydrates (5%)is very effective in losing weight. I myself experienced it and I lost 30 lbs. in 4 months.

Unknown to many, weight gain is primarily caused by too much consumption of carbohydrates and sugar. It’s also addictive, which makes it difficult to change to a healthy diet.

How to lose weight the right way.

Losing weight successfully means shedding off unwanted pounds and keeping your new weight.

It requires a total change in mindset and lifestyle.

A change in mindset entails altering one’s perspective on food consumption. Food selection should be focused on nutritious and healthy foods. Whole foods and grains should be chosen over-processed foods.

A change in lifestyle means an overall revamp of your daily activities. Get fit by exercising daily, and maintaining your weight by becoming more mindful of what you eat.