Fitness Myths

Wellness Wednesday

February 29, 2012

Most of us know to be healthy we need to be physically active.  It's not new information, but it leaves us with many questions and opinions.  As a personal trainer, I often find myself helping my clients sort through fitness myths or half truths. There's plenty of information about physical activity, but sorting through it and figuring out what to do can be challenging. Here are some of the most common myths and half-truths, according to ideafit.com:

Myth 1: If you stop exercising, you’re muscles will turn to fat. Fat and muscles are two different tissue types. One cannot convert to the other.

Myth 2: You can increase fat burning by exercising longer at a lower intensity It really isnt important what percentage of energy during exercise comes from fat or carbohydrate. What matters at the end of the day is how many total calories were expended 

Myth 3: If you exercise, you can eat anything If you try to make up for poor nutrition by exercising, you are going to be disappointed. You will get the most out of your workouts if you fuel them with high quality foods. 

Myth 4: If you don't work out hard and often, exercise is a waste of time. Research shows that even moderate exercise, such as walking and gardening a few times a week, can have tremendous benefits.

 Myth 5: You can never get too much exercise .Over exercising can lead to injury and other physical and psychological problems.  It can occur in the beginning participant as well as the conditioned athlete.  

Myth 6: Exercise Is One Sure Way to Lose All the Weight You Desire. All individuals will not lose the same amount of weight on the same exercise program. It is possible to be active and overweight. However, exercise alone cannot guarantee your ideal weight, regular physical activity is one of the most important factors for successful long-term weight management

Myth 7:If You Want to Lose Weight, Stay Away From Strength Training Because You Will Bulk Up. Most exercise experts believe that cardiovascular exercise and strength training are both valuable for maintaining a healthy weight. 

Myth 8:Overweight People Are Unlikely to Benefit Much From Exercise. Studies show that obese people who participate in regular exercise programs have a lower risk of all-cause mortality than sedentary individuals, regardless of weight. Both men and women of all sizes and fitness levels can improve their health with modest increases in activity. 

 Feel free to contact Nancy Larson at: my.healthiswealth@comcast.net with any questions.