There is so much out there about losing weight, from books to websites and blogs. But, there is so much that it can be difficult to tell what will help you, and what will stop you from reach your goals.

Here are 10 common weight loss myths:

1. A RADICAL EXERCISE ROUTINE IS THE ONLY WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT

NOT TRUE: Successful weight loss involves making small changes.

If you're new to exercise it's it's usually better to build up your workouts rather than pushing yourself too hard too fast.

2. CARBOHYDRATES MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT

NOT TRUE: Eaten in the right quantities and as part of a balanced diet, carbohydrates will not, on their own lead to weight gain.

In the end, weight management comes down to overall calorie control.

3. STARVING YOURSELF IS THE BEST WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT

NOT TRUE: Crash diets are unlikely to result in long-term weight loss.

While initially leaving your body in a large calorie deficit leading to unsustainable weight loss. It can lead to longer-term weight gain.

4. DRINK WATER HELPS YOU LOSE WEIGHT

NOT TRUE: Water does not cause you to lose weight, but it does keep you hydrated and might help you snack less.

According to a nutritional expert, there is very little evidence that drinking water promotes weight loss - it is one of those self-perpetuating myths. However, it is important to stay hydrated.

5. SUPPLEMENTS CAN HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT

NOT TRUE: Various companies claim that their supplements have dramatic weight loss effects, but they're rarely very effective when studied.

In most cases, there is no proof that the products work at all.

6. PEOPLE WITH OBESITY ARE UNHEALTHY AND THIN PEOPLE ARE HEALTHY

NOT TRUE: Plenty of people with obesity are metabolically healthy — and plenty of thin people have chronic diseases, associated with obesity including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.

It's wrong to assume that a person is overweight because of their diet. There are actually around 80 genetic causes of obesity.

7. SMOOTHIES ARE A HEALTHY OPTION

NOT TRUE: Smoothies can contain healthy ingredients but they are a concentrated source of calories that are consumed quickly without giving your body time to register that it's actually "eaten".

When you blend fruit, the natural sugars are released from within the cell walls of the fruit and become free sugars which are the kind we should be cutting down on to help maintain a healthy weight.

8. ZERO CALORIE FIZZY DRINKS ARE BETTER FOR YOU

NOT TRUE: While they may pack less of a punch in the calorie and sugar departments, the substitutes are almost worse – artificial sweeteners have been linked to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

Furthermore, scientists theorise that diet soda's correlation to weight gain may be explained due to people drinking more of it because of the "diet" label.

9. EATING BREAKFAST IS VITAL FOR WEIGHT LOSS

NOT TRUE: It's a myth that breakfast boosts the metabolism and that eating multiple small meals makes you burn more calories throughout the day.

Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast have healthier eating habits overall, but ultimately scientists can't prove that breakfast itself was the cause of weight loss.

10. EATING AT NIGHT CAUSES WIGHT GAIN

NOT TRUE: Your nighttime basal metabolic rate is almost as high as during the day. Your body still needs plenty of energy while you sleep.

Evidence shows no definitive physiological reason why eating before bed should cause weight gain. However, regular late night snacking can lead to unhealthy eating habits which can lead to weight gain.

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