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There are several weight loss facts out there and then there are weight loss myths. But some of those myths, I find actually fall between fact and fiction. Here are those myths and I'll explain why they may actually be fact or fall between fact and fiction.

Myth #1: Products that say herbal and/or natural on them are safe.

I have to agree with this being called a myth. Personally, I don't take herbal supplements or diet supplements. I just don't trust them unless they have been prescribed by a licensed physician, and then I would still ask a lot of questions. There are some supplements out there that are safe and have been independently studied, but not by the Food & Drug Administration. If it's not approved by the Feds, basically forget it. I believe that a lot of the supplements are out there to take advantage of a person's wallet and to give you false hope (maybe not intentionally). But for the most part, they may not be much different from the weight loss products that were stripped off the shelves (ie. Ephedra).

Myth #2: Fad diets can keep the weight off forever.

There are fad diets out there that are really silly but then there are the ones that are legitimate and can actually help you out. Some classify fad diets as diets that are openly advertised that you can lose a huge amount of weight in a short period of time or that have not been extensively tested for its effectiveness. Frankly, this myth falls in between fact and fiction simply because there are some so-called *fad* diets that actually aren't bad at all. I*ve experienced the Atkins diet and I loved it. I may not have been so liberal about the protein but I did have my share. I lost 32 pounds and managed to keep 38% of it off for 5 years. I only gained the other 62 percent back because I got lazy and I didn't like to cook. So, I took the easy way out and ate my mom's cooking or fast food. Now, I*m back on my low carb way of eating and I*m happy.

Myth #3: Low carb high protein diets are a healthy way to lose weight.

This myth is split down the middle. I don't actually see a problem with doing a low carb high protein diet. Protein is good for building muscle and we need muscle to burn fat effectively. Now, the reason I believe this *myth* falls between fact and fiction is because if you cut your carbs you will also reduce your calories. It has been proven that 3500 calories is equal to one pound of fat. So if you have a calorie deficiency of 3500 calories, you will lose one pound. This diet is good for a person who is *sugar intolerant* like me. I am not diabetic but I don't feel so well after I eat really sweet foods. If you are going to be on a high protein diet, eat enough so that you will be full but don't make protein from meats, eggs, and things of that nature your soul source of nutrition. It's definitely a good idea to consult your physician before going on a low carb diet due to suggestions it may not be good for people with kidney problems.

Myth #4: Starchy foods make you gain weight so should be eliminated or reduced from your diet.

I*m inclined to believe this is a myth for one reason only: starchy foods are really not that high in calories and too many calories make you gain weight. I used to eat a certain brand of mashed potatoes from the grocery store and I absolutely loved them. I noticed that they are high in carbs and not very high in calories. Unfortunately, they cannot be eaten in excess for a low carber because you may not be able to get into those jeans you just bought. Eating too many starchy foods can cause serious water retention. This is why some people think they have gained five pounds in two days when they weighed themselves. If you ate foods low in carbs, you will most likely not have that effect. Also, if you are sodium intolerant you may experience the bloating.

Finding a successful diet that will work for you is by trial and error. I tried a few different diets before I know that the low carb diet was for me. Some people may not be able to do low carb but may respond well to reduced calorie and vice versa.