Top 5 Fitness Myths and then – the Truth

Photo Credit: SabastianFrtizon on Flickr.com

Fitness is so important and yet so frustrating to some people that they’re willing to listen to, believe and try anything they’re told. Sometimes this improves a fitness routine, sometimes it ruins it and sometimes it just gives a people excuses to give up.  Let’s not allow myths to stand in your way of doing and becoming your best. Here’s a break down of 5 common fitness myths.

1. Aunt Edith insists that muscle turns to fat when people slack off and take time away from the gym. Not true! The two are different types of tissues with separate functions. Therefore one cannot replace the other.
2. Dad always says that a long continuous workout burns more calories than spreading exercise throughout the day in shorter segments. Not true! You may burn even more calories with two separate workouts because your metabolism gets an added boost after each one.
3. Uncle Hank says he can’t lose weight because overweight people naturally have a slower metabolism. Not true! Only a very tiny percentage of the overweight population has a un-overcomeably slow metabolism.  Larger folks burn more calories during exercise expending the same relative energy as a skinnier person. Why? A larger body requires more energy to do absolutely everything! Think about it. A 400 pound contestant on “The Biggest Loser” can lose 20 pounds in one week, while a 130 pound person might struggle to lose three. It’s all relative.
4. Mom thinks that women who lift heavy weights will become thick or bulky. Not true!  Women don’t have enough testosterone to make massive muscles, at least not without bending over backwards to consume enormous amounts of supplements, protein, etc. The regular gal working hard in the gym is very unlikely to end up looking like a masculine bodybuilder.
5. Sister Sam suggests that once our bodies gets used to a workout, we burn less calories. Not true! In actuality, the workout just becomes easier as we grow accustomed to a routine. There ‘s not much of a drop in calories burned from one week to the other as long as weight and intensity are not changed.