Weight Loss Myth 7 of 14 from Runner’s World Magazine

Myths to be covered – (Topics already covered are in bold)

1. To lose weight cut carbs or fat
2. Exercise in the fat-burning zone
3. Mini-meals are better than three hearty ones
4. Lift less weight with more reps to get toned
5. You can “make up” weekend splurges
6. You have to ban “bad” foods
7. Eating at night causes weight gain
8. Low-fat foods are a healthy choice
9. Weight lifting will only bulk you up
10. Running on empty is a smart way to burn extra fat
11. You can spot reduce fat
12. Longer exercise sessions equal better results
13. You can’t overcome your genes
14. Keeping it off is the easy part

Well we have made it to the halfway point of the weight loss myths. So today it is #7.

Myth – Eating at night causes weight gain.

From the article -

Many runners (from Jim people looking to lose weight) believe their metabolism plummets later in the day, which is when we often overeat nutritionally corrupt foods. But a calorie is a calorie no matter when you eat it, says Gidus. “As long as you don’t take in more calories that you burn in a day, you won’t gain weight.” Gidus adds that overeating at 9 pm is essentially no worse that overeating at 9am. “You may have a slightly higher metabolism earlier in the day, but the impact on weight loss is likely trivial.”

And if you train in the evening, noshing at night is a must: “You have to eat a well-balanced meal to encourage recovery no matter how late it is,” says Gidus. As long as you don’t gorge, you’re not in danger of gaining weight. But if you routinely spend too much time with Ben and Jerry at night, you’re going to sabotage your efforts.

Jim’s thoughts -

I do buy into this because they are essentially saying calories in and calories out. Trying to keep this simple this follows my thought of making smart choices. Zeroing in on eating after a workout especially nighttime workouts (which most of my workouts have been) you need to have something to eat after and before bed. I find that I sleep better with something in my stomach versus it being empty. That being said you are what you eat. So when you eat late or after a late night workout eat something that is good for you, do not go through the drive through. A pint of ice cream may not be the best choice, but I do find my sweet tooth dominates during this time of day.

Simple solutions -

Jello brand makes these wonderful pudding cups and jello cups – Grab yourself a bowl, grab a chocolate pudding and a black cherry jello, dump them both in the bowl and mix. You now have chocolate covered cherries! You could even add a little whipped cream!

I also eat what I have breakfast very often after my workout. The reason I know the amount of calories I am eating and it is filling. One cup of low fat yogurt, 3/4 cup of Honey Bunches of Oats, 1/4 cup of raisins.