I lost 70 pounds in 4 months and have kept it off for over 15 years. It all began when I stopped listening to all the myths that encompass weight loss, and started focusing on proper nutrition. With so many fad diets out there, it's no wonder why so many people seem to be stuck on an endless roller coaster of fluxuating weight. Listed below are 9 popular weight loss myths and the truth behind each.

Myth #1: Eating Fat Will Make You Fat - It's the calories in that fat that makes us put on weight, not the fat. How many people do you know who lost a lot of weight and kept it off for good because they went from eating regular ice cream to low fat ice cream? Probably none.

MYTH #2: Snacking Causes Weight Gain - You're much better off having several small meals over the course of the day than a couple giant meals. A steady source of fuel and an evening of blood sugar levels and metabolism all day long will result.

MYTH #3: Exercise Allows For Guilt-Free Eating - Sorry, but you simply cannot eat whatever you like and expect to reach your weight loss goals, even with steady exercise. There's no harm in indulging occasionally, but in order to keep a fit, healthy figure you must have a healthy diet.

MYTH #4: Water Flushes Fat - Energy and exercise will suffer if you are dehydrated, and drinking plenty of water is essential for weight loss. While drinking water can slightly boost your metabolism, it will not flush fat from your system.

MYTH #5: Sugar Causes Diabetes - Being overweight and inactive are the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes, not sugar. Sugar is highly caloric and can be a contributing factor to obesity, which has a link to type 2 diabetes.

MYTH #6: Grapefruit Burns Fat - Since grapefruit has lots of vitamin C it is a very healthy citrus fruit worth eating as part of a varied diet. However, grapefruit can't burn fat. No food can. Metabolism-boosting foods like grapefruit can help, but they can't do it alone.

MYTH #7: Being Fat Is Healthy - Although there is certainly no shame in being proud of who you are as an individual, being fat is simply not healthy. Having a healthy appetite at every meal based on instant gratification will begin putting you in the danger zone for a multitude of health problems.

MYTH #8: Hight Protein/Low Carb Diets Work - When the body is deprived of carbs, it must get fuel from fat, which makes you lose weight. Fat and protein fuel, however, are not as efficient as carbohydrate fuel and your body and health will suffer. That is why you feel tired all the time on these diets. I never undertsood why anyone would trust a diet that says fruits and vegetables are bad for you.

MYTH #9: Weight Loss Supplements Are A Scam - If someone tries to sell you a pill that will miraculously make your pounds disappear, it's probably a scam. Losing weight is definitely possible with all-natural supplements, but in order to keep it off for good you must learn to make it a lifestyle change and continue on a healthy path to overall wellness.

This is only a small portion of what I learned that helped me jump off the weight loss roller coaster. You won't find a solution in one magic pill or the latest trend in fitness. Through my mistakes and experience, I am now able to help people make healthy choices when it comes to weight loss.