Page 40 of Big Girls Do It Stronger

Chapter 22

Health and Wellness: Facts vs Fiction

Every single day on myBIG GIRLS DO IT RUNNINGFacebook group, I hear health myths that I want to try and explain and debunk. These are health urban legends that just don’t seem to die. We need to stop listening to these myths and try to stick to the facts. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and when you fall off plan a bit, jump back on.

“Muscle weighs more than fat.”

False: Muscle and fat weigh the same; muscle just takes up less space. Also, weight doesn’t necessarily drop at the same moment you are building up muscle. Both the building of muscle and loss of weight take time. Just be patient.

“Eating eggs causes high cholesterol.”

False: Eating eggs won’t cause high cholesterol. Poor diet, fried and packaged foods, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, and diabetes is what causes high cholesterol.

“Honey and agave are good for you.”

False: Honey is yummy, yes—I remember, as a child, eating a big, white fluffy biscuit with loads of butter and honey. Honey and agave both raise blood sugar. I don’t believe these things are good for you, and I don’t recommend them.

“Carbohydrates make you fat.”

False: Not all carbohydrates are the same. Please go back and read my chapter on carbohydrates. They have really gotten a bad rep and we need to promote healthy carbs, especially to our kids, who really need them to grow healthy and strong.

“You shouldn’t eat at night.”

False:I’ve seen nothing to support this. Nada. If you need a snack after dinner, eat it.

“Food allergies cause weight gain.”