Have you tried all the fad diets that are out there? Sick of spending time and energy on the latest diet to find out it doesn’t even work?

Truth is that there is no pill, gadget or diet that will suddenly cut your weight. Instead, you should try to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and avoid the old wives’ tales.

We explore some of the myths surrounding dieting. Some have proved to be true, while there are others that have proved to be just that- old wives' tales and myths.

1. Cutting fat from your diet will make sure you lose weight.

FALSE. Low in fat does not necessarily mean low in calories. Eating nutritious foods like fruit, vegetables and whole grains can make you feel fuller with less calories, but often foods that are supposed to be low in fat are still high calorie.

Carbohydrate rich foods such as bread and pasta can be partly responsible for weight gain if you eat large amounts of these. You need to think about your portion sizes and balance if you are trying to lose weight.

2. More protein will encourage muscle growth.

FALSE. Protein is important in building muscle, but any excess will still be stored as fat in the same way that carbohydrates will. Any calorie-containing nutrient will be stored as fat if there is more than the body needs. To best build muscle, you need to eat the right amount, and exercise properly, including cardiovascular and strength training.

3. Walking is an excellent way to lose weight.

TRUE. Walking, like any other exercise uses up calories, and can help weight loss. The faster you walk the better (a stroll will not help to use many calories) and the longer you walk for the better. You can burn approximately 100 calories walking 1 mile, and you may lose up to 5 pounds just by walking 5 miles a day.

4. Diet drugs help weight loss.

FALSE. While there are certain diet drugs that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) these should only be used by those who are over 30% over a healthy weight, or those with weight related health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Often these drugs will either send messages to the appetite centers of the brain, or stop fat from being fully absorbed into the body. You should only ever use diet drugs in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle change.

5. Eggs will not make you fat.

TRUE. Research has shown that the main problem in getting fat is saturated fats. Eggs are low in saturated fats, and are also low in calories, with only around 75 in a hard- boiled egg. Eggs also contain lots of varied nutrients, and the American Heart Association recommends one egg per day.

The key to a good diet is balance, and eating a variety of healthy foods, and using light oil to cook instead of Margarine or butter will help.

The first step in dieting is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Keep these tips in mind, and you will be on the right road to weight loss and a healthier you. Get rid of all the junk food in your house, and replace it with more healthy snack foods. There shouldn’t be a problem with snacking, just have fruits, vegetables and nuts instead of junk.

Increase the activity you do each day. You can take small steps towards this, such as parking further from work, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Simple steps like this will not be difficult, and you will start to see the pounds drop.

Try to drop your addictive behavior. Stop binge drinking, gambling, and smoking, and start following a meal plan for a week and make sure that you follow it. You can include some of your favorite foods such as steak or pasta, but you will need to watch the portions.

Most important of all is to drink plenty of water every day. Water helps you to regulate your metabolism, and can give a boost to your immune system. In addition, water can help you with your appetite, as it will make you feel less hungry.