8 Biggest Fitness Myths

You may still believe these... But they are all Myths!!!

1) It's better to use a machine:
Machine only based programs train your body in a single, linear motion. This one-dimensional form of exercise makes you more susceptible to injury.
*Instead: Change it up, go swimming, hiking, biking, anything other than your normal machine routine.

2) Losing weight only happens at the gym:
Did you know, it takes 250,000 to burn one POUND of fat.
*Fact: Losing weight occurs with the right combination of fitness, diet, sleep, hydration and stress management.

3) You can spot reduce:
False! You canNOT select certain places on your body to reduce fat. Crunches are not going to target the fat in your core region.
*Fact: Fat is burned through a combination of cardiovascular and strength training that decreases your body's OVERALL fat content when accompanied with a healthy diet.

4) Running alone is the best form of exercise for weight loss:
*Fact: Strength training combined with short spurts of high intensity cardio creates more damage on your muscles and a better after burn effect due to more required repair.

5) Staying fit takes up a lot of time:
Jumping rope for one minute burns 11 calories!
*Fact: Science has shown that high intensity interval training really works when it comes to building muscle and burning calories.

6) Women will get "Bulky" if they lift heavy weights:
*Fact: Testosterone is a key component to muscle building and women have up to 20 times LESS testosterone than men. Due to their low levels, it is almost impossible for women to get "Bulky"

7) You need a gym membership to stay in shape:
*Fact: You can get a better workout more safely when you use just your body to challenge yourself than when you use a machine or equipment you may not know how to use properly.

8) If it works for her, it's going to work for me:
Everybody's body is different!
*Fact: The main reason anyone finds success in their fitness routine come down to more than just what type of workout they are doing.
It comes down to the fact that they have adapted it into their lifestyle and have made a complete change of their day to day lives. This keeps them committed and overall makes them comfortable with their new daily routine.

~Number 3) was the one that hit me the most! I always thought that if I did certain work outs I would target specific areas of fat that I wanted to lose. My friend told me the other day that it's not about just trying to lose fat in my thighs, for example, but it is about OVERALL body fat loss. This makes so much more sense now. For this is my goal, overall body fat loss. Working on overall body fat loss will eventually lead to my thighs losing fat as well! The light bulb has clicked finally!

~Number 8) also hit home as I have been completely changing my lifestyle, slowly but surely of course. I do believe it is about a total lifestyle change and not just a type of diet or program for a quick weight loss. Anyone can join jenny craig or weight watchers, these programs do work and have proven to lead to weight loss, but I also have seen women who end the program and gain it all back because they weren't committed to a full lifestyle change. Don't give up! Results will come!

~For numbers 3) and 4) I would like to add that I do not only do my 2-3.4 mile runs during the week. When I finish I do a cool down walk for about 5 minutes then begin my ab workout for at least 5 minutes if I'm pushed with time. I also bust out some push ups as well. By doing this I feel as if this involves my upper body too so I'm not just focused on my legs. I try to add 3-5 more push ups every day to progress and challenge myself. This also fits in with number 7). It is possible to lose weight without a gym. Gym's haven't always been around and not many people can bust out 50 push ups these days... Can you?

Spread the running joy!
Keep up the good work!
~Maddie J.

Reference for facts:
shape.com