Forget the false product promises. Or the newest fitness fads. The truth is out there.
There is so much fitness information out there. You can google a workout routine and have millions of variations at your fingertips in a matter of seconds. Or discover the perfect recipe for a healthy Pad Thai in just a few clicks. But amongst all the useful tips, recipes, and workout ideas is an awful lot of rubbish. Advice that isn’t based on research or on sound fitness principles, but on half-truths and people trying to sell their particular brand of vitamins, tea, or just bad advice. But in a world where we are overloaded with information at every step, how do you tell the good ideas from the bad?
The first thing to do is to take most claims with a healthy pinch of salt. Especially if they promise the earth. Because I can tell you right now that you aren’t going to ‘banish belly fat in 5 days’ with that fancy shake someone is trying to sell you on Instagram. The second is to look carefully at whether an article or product is supported by research or endorsed by a legitimate scientist or expert. Be critical, seek out more information, and if it seems to good to be true, it probably is.
Today I want to tackle some of the most widely believed and harmful fitness myths out there. To give you a fighting start in the battle against bad information.
Lifting Weights Will Make You Bulky
There is a persistent myth, particularly amongst woman, that so much as glancing at a heavy weight will have you transforming into some type of bulky she-hulk. This is simply untrue. resistance training is one of the best things you can do for your body. Providing increased functional strength, toning, and fat loss to boot. If you want to get big, you’re going to need a very specific diet and perhaps even a hormone regimen. It’s not something you can fall into by accident. The lesson here? Don’t neglect the weights section!
You Can Target Fat Loss
Wouldn’t life be easier if we could dedicate our time to focusing on our problem areas? If a few weeks of eating well could shift that persistent bit of belly fat or wobble around the hips? But our bodies just don’t work that way. If you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose fat – but your body will decide from where. You cannot spot reduce, no matter what promises that fancy weightloss tea makes to you. Dedicate yourself to regular exercise and eating well over the long term. You will see gains, and the slow steady ones are that much more likely to stick.
A Real Workout Should HURT
There has been a trend recently for very intense workouts. And while I certainly think that hard work is a big part of getting fit, I don’t believe you should be curled up in a ball crying after every session. That’s a road to injury and misery. Your workout should be challenging for your level of fitness. And that changes from person to person. So going from nothing to intense and prolonged high-level workouts is not a shortcut to long-term health and fitness. Do challenge yourself. Do experience discomfort. But don’t embrace hurting yourself.
Skinny is the Same as Healthy
Unfortunately, the world we live in has long held up skinny as the ideal body goal, and while this is slowly changing, it’s a deep-rooted idea for many of us to overcome. You can be incredibly skinny and incredibly unfit. You can be skinny and unhealthy. The number on the scale is not a guarantee that you are in good shape. Instead, focus on eating well, along with functional fitness, strength, stamina, and how you feel when you look in the mirror. It’s a much healthier recipe for lasting success.
Ready to shake these myths and find fitness advice and support that really works? Here at FitFusion PT, we provide personalised support that is built around your unique needs and goals. We don’t believe in one size fits all and our friendly team will support and motivate you at every step. So, forget the half-truths and the bad advice, change the script with FitFusion PT. Ok you lovely lot, I hope you have wonderful fitness plans to look forward to over the coming week. Next time, it’s everything butt. Quite literally as we get down with some booty-tastic exercises. Until then, stay amazing!