One of the most significant issues I see when it comes to diet and exercise is that people need to fuel their bodies in preparation for exercise - but they don't. While doing a 30-45, or even 60-minute run or lifting session, there isn't a need to carbo load, pound protein, or take pre-workout. However, properly fueling will help with a productive workout and feeling like it is easier.

The previous post included the top five myths regarding weight loss. But I couldn’t stop there. This post includes five more myths: low carb, exercise, and that healthy food tastes like cardboard - does it?

While I am always promoting that people should focus on their overall health and mental and physical wellness, weight loss is still a big focus for many people – not just in January, but year-round. Many drastic measures to lose weight are temporary and will result in weight regain when old habits return. I have found that many weight loss myths persist. Here are the top five myths regarding weight loss.

As people start to eat healthier, they often find it overwhelming, time-consuming, and challenging. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are five ways to make eating healthier easier. And don’t worry - you don’t have to adopt all five immediately. Take small steps.

Here we are in January 2023, and once again, people say they would like to lose weight. Great. Now what? Whether this is your first, fourteenth, or 40th time embarking on a weight loss plan, you need to find what will work and is sustainable for you and your lifestyle. What is the reason, or reasons, for doing this? Why now? Because it is January? To look better, feel healthier, have more energy, or all of these? No matter the reason, consider small steps to reach more significant changes rather than a temporary overhaul.

Is fast-food “healthy”? Not really. But you may find yourself at a fast food place wondering if there are healthier options. If you go more than “once in a while” you may want to consider how you make healthier choices and help your overall health in the process. And not avoiding them completely. Because sometimes you can’t.

Have you noticed? The calories listed on the menu of your favorite restaurant? They are likely there, but they may have escaped your attention. But they aren’t on all restaurant menus? Why are they there on some menus, but not on others?

Not too long ago, I questioned which food group mushrooms go in. I tend to put them in the vegetable category over any other food group. I checked on the mushroom council website to double-check, they are not a vegetable, but it is okay to categorize them as vegetables for nutrition purposes.

Many people use the term “superfoods” to elevate the benefit of certain foods. Elevate may not be the correct term, but this is what I’m using in this case. I used to use the term superfood all the time, even going so far as to teach a class on various superfoods. I don’t use this term very often, and I don’t use the term functional food or nutraceuticals as often. But, again, this is because it can potentially lead to a health halo effect or people believing that if they eat these foods in these categories, they can still eat poorly in other areas of their diet.

Have you heard of IV therapy? IV therapy is getting intravenous fluids outside a medical or hospital setting for therapeutic use and not for medical "need." Anyone who's ever been to the hospital, emergency department, or urgent care (or even seen this sort of thing on television) knows that an IV is a common way for the medical staff to deliver medications and assist with overall hydration. IV therapy is available outside of this setting for apparently healthy people at medical spas, wellness centers, and even in your own home (not self-administered, but someone coming to your home to administer it). Is this something you should consider?

People often talk about olive oil and the massive health benefits of this oil when consumed as part of a healthy diet. But we rarely hear about the olives themselves. Are olives also as healthy as the oil? Yes, and no.

People come to me to learn how to help and improve their health. I work with people on how food, nutrition, and behavior modification can do this and how it applies to their lives.

These things are never a one-size-fits-all approach. Ever.

I can have a framework for people. I can make a “blueprint,” – but it is never the same for everyone because we are all different.

And with weight loss, when that is their goal or what they want, we discuss this more.

The most magical number that comes up the most is TEN. The first ten pounds, the last ten pounds, the final ten pounds, another ten pounds.

The easiest and the hardest are ten pounds.

What is it about these ten pounds?

This question isn’t a judgment. It is an observation.

When something new comes along, people will suddenly label it as healthy food when this just isn’t true.

Take plant-based “meats” as an example.

Why people gravitate to these varies. Perhaps they want to eat less meat or no meat, for humanitarian reasons, environmental reasons, or religious beliefs. I get that. Somehow, we still have to make food taste like meat that isn’t meat.

But when people start spouting about it being healthier or less processed? Hard no.