5 Myths about Calories

low carb mindset tips weight loss Sep 19, 2025

There’s so much misinformation out there about weight loss. Whether it’s miracle pills, fad diets or the idea that a single food can solve everything, sorting science from fiction can feel daunting. The truth is, sustainable weight management isn’t about punishing rules—it’s about understanding the body’s real needs and being kind with the mind.

#1. Calories Alone Often Miss the Mark

Reducing calories isn’t a magic fix. The “calories in, calories out” idea might look simple, but it misses some big pieces of the puzzle. Our bodies are much more complicated—what we eat, when we eat, sleep, stress and how active we are all change how our bodies use and store food as energy. Long lasting results come from nourishing the body instead of just counting numbers.

#2. Insulin Resistance Affects Fat Storage

When insulin stops working well, our bodies find it harder to use calories and tend to store them as fat instead of burning them for energy. This can make losing weight difficult and increase cravings. Lowering carbohydrate intake often helps reset insulin sensitivity, makes it easier to manage weight and curb unwanted hunger. People with insulin resistance benefit particularly from changes in nutrition and movement that support their metabolism.

#3. Metabolic Rate Isn't Fixed

Metabolism which is the speed at which our bodies turn food into energy, changes over time. It’s affected by age, genetics, our body size and shape, how much sleep we get, and even how many diets we’ve tried in the past. Severe calorie restriction can slow down metabolism and make losing weight much more difficult in future. Focusing on healthy routines and strength-building activities helps maintain and even improve metabolic rate.

#4. Ultra-Processed Foods Upset Appetite

Packaged snacks and sweetened treats are designed to be irresistible, but they confuse the signals that tell us when we're truly hungry or satisfied. That makes it easier to overeat and harder to listen to our body’s natural appetite cues. Choosing whole, real food supports healthy hunger responses, makes eating more satisfying, and helps keep weight steady in the long run.

#5. Food Labels Are Frequently Inaccurate

Many people rely on the nutrition facts printed on packaging but these are not always precise. Studies have shown the actual calorie and nutrient content can differ from what the label claims by as much as 20% or more. This means that tracking calories by reading labels, especially with processed foods, may be less reliable than most people think.

Mind Management

Mind management is the foundation of sustainable weight management. Changing ingrained habits, replacing self-criticism with self-compassion, and setting realistic goals are vital for lasting success. Progress doesn’t require perfection; it’s built on small, consistent changes, forgiving setbacks and recognising achievements along the way. When the mind is managed with kindness and positive belief, healthy choices follow naturally.

Find more practical support and real stories in these podcast episodes:

At Real Life Medicine, our aim is always to give you:

✨ Strategies to improve your metabolism
✨ Brain-based skills to overcome self-sabotage
✨ Tools to make it easy to implement

The Friday 5 at 5 is part of this structure. We hope you find it useful.

With love and great health

Dr Lucy and Dr Mary XX

P.S. Back by popular demand! We're hosting our FREE masterclass again on injectable weight loss medications on Thursday, Septembert 25th at 7:30PM AEST.

Save your spot here: 👉🏻 Weight Loss Medications- Everything you need to know but were afraid to ask

Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy are the founders of Real Life Medicine. They help women who have been on every diet under the sun, optimise their health and achieve long lasting weight loss without feeling miserable or deprived.

They do this with their 3 step framework that

Improves metabolism
Develops mindset skills
Provides tools to implement it easily into busy lives

With this comes increased energy, vitality and confidence.

You can avoid chronic disease and stop living life on the sidelines!