Have you been exercising your heart out but not seeing the results you expected? You might be one of the many people who have fallen victim to the common myths doing the rounds about how to become fit or lose weight. Frankly, there seem to be more misconceptions coming our way than hard facts. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths.
You can target fat loss in one area
How many exercise videos have you seen about crunches being the best way to get flat abs? Or have you been hooked by those late night TV commercials about ab machines that will suddenly give you that flat stomach or even a six pack? Well, don’t believe everything you see. What is hiding those wonderfully toned muscles is layers of fat. So, no matter how many crunches you do, unless you find a way to get rid of body fat, it won’t work. What it ultimately comes down to is burning calories. You first need to exercise the entire body and watch your calorie intake to burn away fat. The fact is that you can’t burn fat in just one part of the body. On the other hand, this is good news because it means you get to tone every part, rather than just one area.
The more you exercise, the more fat you’ll lose
No pain, no gain, right? Wrong! Yes, working out more will mean that you burn more calories. But what you need to focus on is raising the metabolic rate for lasting gains. So, don’t simply focus on the intensity of your workout. Also, remember that it is more difficult to stay motivated if you’re in pain every day. A mix of exercises, changing up the routine on a regular basis, including both weights and cardio and gradually building up the levels of difficulty is key to sustained benefits.
Women need to practice different exercises than men
Yes, it is true that women’s body structure and hormones are different from those of men, which also means that muscle strength might be different. However, this does not mean that they need to do different work outs. Unfortunately, most men focus on their chest, abs and upper arms, while women tend to focus on their legs and glutes. In both cases, half the body is being missed out while exercising. So, whether you are male or female, pick exercises where your entire body is being exercised and toned. Once you achieve this, you can lay greater emphasis on a specific part, without neglecting the others.
The key to fitness for anyone is ensuring a nutritious, well balanced diet, combined with the right exercises. You don’t need to sweat more to lose more weight, but you do need to plan your diet and your workout routine to do so. If you need some guidance on better nutrition and how to combine it with the right exercise for you, then ask about our Wellness packages.