You've heard them before and may even have believed some of them, but there are some dieting myths that are sure to hinder your weight loss efforts. Keep in mind the following facts when embarking on your weight loss journey:

Some hard-core dieters will swear that drastically cutting calories will produce fast weight loss. In fact, when your body is deprived of adequate fuel the metabolism slows down making it almost impossible to lose even small amounts of weight. Eat adequate numbers of calories each and every day.

Contrary to what you may have heard, diets that severely restrict the types of foods you eat may not produce fast weight loss. By depriving yourself of whole food groups or certain types of foods you will set yourself up for uncontrollable cravings and eating binges. Eat foods from all the food groups and do so in moderation. Moderation is the key to lasting weight loss.

Some diets do not allow you to eat after a certain time of day. If you are consuming the right amount of calories each day it won't matter what time of day you consume them. Allowing room for snacks will help you control your hunger between meals and may prevent overeating.

It is impractical to eliminate all fat from your diet. Certain types of fats are essential to the health functioning of your body. Choose fats that are light and use them sparingly.

Some fats, such as the oil found in fish are good for you. Olive oil is a good alternative when cooking.

Don't skip meals in an attempt to cut additional calories from your diet. Skipping meals may actually be the cause of binges and overeating. You can more easily control your hunger by eating several small meals each day rather than three large meals.

Do not completely eliminate dairy products from your diet. There are plenty of low-fat and reduced calories products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Dairy products are high in calcium, which can actually give you a boost in your weight loss efforts.

Will power is not the only factor that will determine how much weight you lose and how quickly you lose it. Your ethnic heritage, your age, your living environment, and your overall health will also play a role in your weight loss success. Accept that which you may not change and set realistic goals for yourself.

There are many products available to help you lose weight. There are supplements, diet plans, programs and online support systems to help you manage your eating habits and measure your weight loss progress. Some of these companies provide support and help with your dieting program. We can help you by providing you with a free list of our recommended best sources for effective weight loss products and services. To view our list of recommended sources to help you lose weight or to read more articles about dieting visit: Recommended Weight Loss & Diet Resources Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of eZerk, an informational website about various topics with articles and the latest news. Visit her website to read articles from various sources on dieting & weight loss.