Fitness influencers often dish out advice that seems too good to be true. Recently, exercise scientist Dr. Mike Israetel took a critical look at one popular influencer’s claim that not drinking enough water can hinder your body’s ability to break down fat.
Earlier, the influencer had confidently asserted that not drinking enough water each day can prevent your body’s ability to break down fat. However, Dr. Mike, known for his no-nonsense approach, had a bone to pick with this water-centric weight loss advice.
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Does drinking more water help with weight loss?
Israetel shared an Instagram post where he opined upon the influencer’s advice of effortlessly shedding pounds by simply upping your water intake. He stated, “An addition of extra water to a metabolic system does not meaningfully increase the metabolism.” He crushed the illusion that a few extra glasses of cold, refreshing water could magically melt away fat, likening it to the absurdity of “influencer-fed dog s**t.”
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With a pinch of humor, Dr. Mike stated, “You’d burn more calories drinking dog s**t liquefied.” This stark comparison drives home the point that there’s no substitute for a well-balanced diet and a realistic approach to weight loss. However, in the snippet of his video, Dr. Mike challenged the notion that guzzling down gallons of water leads to quick fat loss.
He explained, “The amount of water you drink has almost no effect whatsoever on how many calories you burn unless you are hyperhydrated or dehydrated.” He emphasized that being excessively hydrated or dehydrated can impact your body’s signals for thirst but added a splash of reality: “As long as you’re not ultra-thirsty all the time, a sip of fluid here and there will do the trick.” It’s crucial to sift through sensational claims and focus on evidence-backed information. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger had a few points to add to this list, debunking weight loss myths that are circulating online.
Arnie debunked the myth surrounding ‘Zone-2 cardio’
In the past, Arnold Schwarzenegger tackled a popular myth about Zone-2 cardio’s supposed fat-burning magic. Despite claims, research he highlighted showed that various cardio intensities can help with fat loss. The 76-year-old clarified, “Despite the claims, research suggests Zone 2 cardio will not help you lose more body fat compared to other forms of cardio. There’s a good reason why people get confused.” The real deal? Total calories burned matter most.
While Zone-2 may help lose more fat, higher-intensity workouts burn more overall calories. Schwarzenegger stresses it’s not about fixating on the fat-burning zone. Instead, find a workout routine you enjoy, be it Zone 2 or high-intensity, and stick with it. In the world of fitness, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution; consistency is the true key.
As Israetel and Schwarzenegger both reveal, before jumping to conclusions about fitness trends, one has to focus on what will benefit them the most in their fitness journey. Foolproof advice from experts is the way to go.
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Edited by
Abhishek Manikandan