Have You Bought Into The Top 5 Fitness Training Myths
If you’ve been involved in female fitness training for any length of time, chances are pretty high that you’ve purchased books, products and supplements, read articles, joined programs, and watched videos that all made the same hopeful promise, “This time would be different.” This time you had the ‘inside scoop’ or the solution that would bring you to the perfect version of yourself. You know, the one that can proudly wear your bikini without sucking anything in or fretting over those trouble spots.
No doubt, some of the programs and products were filled with downright lies. You were told you’d lose a certain number of pounds in three weeks or 30 days and guess what? Not surprising, the targeted time period came and went, and here you are still searching for answers. You may have shed a few pounds here and there, but you’ve never actually reached your female fitness goal.
Well, I’m here to give you both good news and bad news. The bad news first…It doesn’t quite work like that. Most of the plans and programs are littered with half-truths and myths that sound pretty good, but just don’t work in the long run. The good news is, once you squash those myths and stick to a fitness program that involves sensible, healthy eating and daily exercise, you are going to experience results. Depending on your body type and what you’re starting with, you may not have ‘toned thighs in 30 days’ but that doesn’t mean you should give up. Throw out the myths and half truths, keep the information that actually works…and keep pressing forward. You will reach your fitness goals.
Here are five of the most common female fitness myths. It’s time to move past them and experience success, once and for all.
Female Fitness Myth #1 -You Can Target Your Trouble Spots and Sculpt the Perfect Body
This myth is particularly funny, but every month you’ll see magazines reporting on ‘targeting those trouble spots.’ Yes, if you work on a specific muscle group, that area will tone up, but if you have a layer of fat sitting on top of that muscle group you’re going to have to change that first. There is no way to target areas of fat in your body. Instead, a low-carb diet with plenty of lean protein and cardio workouts will help you shed that layer of body fat that’s hiding your muscle.
Female Fitness Myth #2 – Always Exercise in the Morning
So many female fitness programs will tell you to exercise as soon as you get up in the morning. Although revving your fat burning power by starting your day with exercise is smart, not everyone can work out in the morning. If it’s not for you, that’s okay. The importing thing is to fit your female fitness routine into your best timetable. If you enjoy lifting weights or swimming in the evening, you are more likely to make it part of your daily routine. Once you own your workout program and it becomes a part of what you do…that’s the ticket to success. More important than working out in the morning are laying off the snacks late at night and making sure you get a full eight hours of sleep.
Female Fitness Myth #3 – Diet Foods are Best for Weight Loss
Many women are still counting calories as a recipe for female fitness success. If you are choosing ‘low calorie’ or ‘low fat’ foods, or even worse, frozen diet dinners, you are doing your body more harm than good. As we’ve reported in numerous articles on our site, the best way to lose weight is by adopting a low-carbohydrate diet that is full of healthy, whole vegetables, fruits, and lean meats. The truth is that it’s better to actually consume MORE calories during a meal, just as long as you are consuming the right kind of calories. Diet frozen dinners are full of preservatives, sodium, and unhealthy ingredients. Yes, they may have 300 calories, but how much of that can your body actually use for fuel? That’s the important part. Instead, a meal that consists of a piece of grilled fish, a handful of almonds, and a grilled zucchini are far better for you. Why? Because your body can actually use all of the nutrients in that meal. Stick to whole foods and you’ll have a huge advantage over the ‘calorie counters.’
Female Fitness Myth #4 – Losing Weight Quickly Will Put Me on the Right Path
Everyone wants to ‘jump start’ their diet by shedding those first ten pounds in the first week. Women mistakenly think this will boost their confidence and put them on the right track. There’s nothing further from the truth here. Two things occur when you lose weight quickly. First, most of it is water retention, so the results won’t be permanent. Second, by putting yourself on starvation mode to blast past those first ten pounds, you are actually putting your body on ‘red alert.’ Yes, your body is an amazing machine and it will work extra hard to hold onto fat at the first sign of being deprived. This is a vicious cycle and a losing battle for you. Don’t starve yourself. The best plan is a sensible one. Cut out the sugar. Cut out the refined carbs and saturated fats. Load up on fresh vegetables, lean meats, and drink plenty of water. Combine that with our workout routines and you’ve achieve lasting results.
Female Fitness Myth #5 – Lifting Weights Doesn’t Burn Calories like Cardio Workouts
Another complete myth. Although many websites and books will tout the benefits of cardiovascular workouts (and they are an excellent way to shed pounds), weight training develops lean muscle, which will work double-time for you. Lean muscle will burn calories 24 hours per day, long after your workout is complete. The more lean muscle you develop, the more calories you’ll burn, even when you are sitting down. The best female fitness plan should include both cardio and strength training.
So what’s the underlying truth to all these female fitness myths? The best plan is a sensible plan that involves a ‘lifestyle change’ instead of quick fixes that won’t bring lasting results. Change your lifestyle and your body will follow. You’ll be healthier, happier, mentally and emotionally balanced, and you’ll look great in your bikini too!
By daniela
Monday August 22, 2011
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