Weight loss

Myth #1: Skip meals or fast When you deny your body the calories it needs, it switches to "starvation mode." Picture yourself on a deserted island with scarce amounts of food.

Your body protects itself by slowing down your metabolism so you use less energy.

Of course, you are not stranded on an island, but there is no way to turn your body's survival mechanism off.

When you do eat again, your body gears up for the next "fast" by storing more of the calories you eat as body fat.

Better Approach:Eat four to six small meals and balanced snacks per day.

By eating every three to four hours, you can keep your metabolism fired up and your appetite under control.

If you avoid overeating at mealtime, you can limit the amount of calories that are stored as body fat.

Myth #2: Cut out your favorite high-fat foods Picture yourself in a room.

Someone comes in and repeatedly tells you not to push a big red button on the wall.

This goes on all day long.

After a while, what is the main thought going through your head?

That red button.

You may feel the same way about any foods you have forbidden in your diet.

When you are overly restrictive, you may find yourself obsessing about forbidden foods.

If you are ha...