Fitness Myths
I thought, I'd post some fitness myths today that I hear all the time.
(1) SPOT REDUCTION - Spot reduction is the myth that if you work a particular muscle (ie: abs) that the fat around the specific area reduces. The only way to reduce body fat is to lower the over-all fat percentage of the entire body usually through diet and exercise. Advertisements like to play off this myth.
(2) WOMEN WHO LIFT WEIGHTS DELEVOP BIG, BULKY MUSCLES - A low calorie diet, is going to make it very difficult to get huge muscles. High calories and weight gains make for bulky muscles. In addition, huge muscles most often are the result of male hormones (like testoserone), and women don't have enough of it to make their muscles massive. Women can bulk up beyond normal ranges with steroids, but for most women, strength training is way to shape muscles.
(3) BEST DIET - There is no best diet. Eat less calories to lose weight. Eat more calories to gain weight. Drink lots of water. Read labels in the grocery store. Vary your diet and/or take supplements to compensate for nutritional definciencies. Maintaining a healthy body requires diet and exercise the rest of your life. Pretty basic stuff for any diet.
(4) YOU HAVE TO LIVE AT THE GYM TO BE FIT - Not really. Three times a week enough to make progress in strength training or weight loss with an appropriate exercise program.
(1) SPOT REDUCTION - Spot reduction is the myth that if you work a particular muscle (ie: abs) that the fat around the specific area reduces. The only way to reduce body fat is to lower the over-all fat percentage of the entire body usually through diet and exercise. Advertisements like to play off this myth.
(2) WOMEN WHO LIFT WEIGHTS DELEVOP BIG, BULKY MUSCLES - A low calorie diet, is going to make it very difficult to get huge muscles. High calories and weight gains make for bulky muscles. In addition, huge muscles most often are the result of male hormones (like testoserone), and women don't have enough of it to make their muscles massive. Women can bulk up beyond normal ranges with steroids, but for most women, strength training is way to shape muscles.
(3) BEST DIET - There is no best diet. Eat less calories to lose weight. Eat more calories to gain weight. Drink lots of water. Read labels in the grocery store. Vary your diet and/or take supplements to compensate for nutritional definciencies. Maintaining a healthy body requires diet and exercise the rest of your life. Pretty basic stuff for any diet.
(4) YOU HAVE TO LIVE AT THE GYM TO BE FIT - Not really. Three times a week enough to make progress in strength training or weight loss with an appropriate exercise program.