Everywhere you turn, there’s a new fitness tip or trick promising to get you in the best shape of your life. However, not all advice is created equal. Let’s cut through the noise & talk about 10 fitness myths that are doing you more harm than good. Time to set the record straight!
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You Can Target Fat Loss in Specific Areas
If only we could tell our bodies where to lose fat! Despite what many workout programs claim, doing a million crunches won’t melt away belly fat & leg lifts won’t magically slim your thighs. Fat loss is a complete body affair—where you lose it first depends on your genetics. Stick to those full-body workouts and over time, you’ll see changes all over.
No Pain, No Gain
While pushing yourself can be good, if you’re in actual pain, that’s your body’s way of telling you not to do that exercise. Muscle soreness a day or two after is normal—but wincing in agony during your workout? Not so much. You should listen to what your body’s telling you because it’s smarter than you think!
Weight Lifting Makes Women Bulky
Ladies, this one’s for you. There’s a myth that if you so much as glance at a dumbbell, you’ll bulk up way too much. However, that’s not true as women typically don’t have the testosterone levels needed to build massive muscles—unless they have a very specific & intense training plan. Don’t shy away from the weights. It’s great for toning up and improving your metabolism.
Exercise Can Compensate for a Bad Diet
We’d love to eat all the junk food we wanted and just “work it off” at the gym. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work like that because what you eat is a huge part of your fitness. You can’t out-exercise a bad diet. Instead, eating balanced & nutritious meals will help you see results, whether you’re looking to lose weight or just stay healthy.
You Need to Work Out Every Day
Feeling like you have to go to the gym every single day will only lead to burnout. After all, your body needs rest to recover & get stronger. Taking a day or two off each week won’t derail your progress—it’ll actually help it by giving your muscles time to heal. Go ahead and enjoy those rest days guilt-free. They’re part of the process!
Cardio is the Only Way to Lose Weight
Many people know that cardio’s a great way to lose weight but it’s not the only way. In fact, strength training is just as important, if not more so. It builds muscle and more muscle means your body burns more calories, even when you’re just relaxing. You should do a mix of cardio & strength training to lose weight—and keep it off.
Supplements are Necessary for Progress
Despite what you might’ve heard, you don’t need a PhD in nutrition to get fit nor do you have to rely on a ton of supplements. Some supplements are helpful but they’re not magic pills. Most people can actually get everything they need from a balanced diet so try that before you start popping pills. It’s usually more effective—and a whole lot tastier.
Morning Workouts Are the Most Effective
Some people believe that if you’re not sweating it out in the early AM, you’re not getting the most out of your workout. However, the real best time to work out? Whenever you can consistently fit it into your schedule. It doesn’t matter if you’re an early bird or a night owl—sticking to a routine is what genuinely matters since your body adapts to your schedule.
Eating Late at Night Makes You Gain Weight
How many times have you heard that snacking after 8 PM is going to make you put on weight? Rather than worry about when you eat, you should think about how much you eat & what you’re eating throughout the day. This is what affects your weight. If you’re within your daily calorie needs, a late-night snack won’t magically pile on the pounds.
The More Protein, the Better
With the popularity of high-protein diets, some people treat protein as something that’ll make you instantly lose weight. Of course, we need it to repair our muscles and grow—but there’s a limit to how much your body can use at one time. Eating more protein than your body needs doesn’t mean you’ll build more muscle. Instead, you’re consuming extra calories that your body will store as fat.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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