Lies On Dieting and Fitness !!!

A man pushing his food away | Source: iStock

There are a lot of myths in the fitness world. It can be a proverbial minefield of bad information for those just getting into the
gym or fitness center, and plenty of people seem apt to give bad advice. It can be tough, because it seems that a lot of things that should make sense — like getting six-pack abs after doing hundreds and hundreds of sit-ups — should work.
But they don’t. Our bodies work in somewhat mysterious ways, and when you add all of the bad, false, and misleading information into the mix, you might end up wasting a lot of time doing things that will ultimately get you nowhere.
We’re here to bust some of the most common fitness myths out there. The ones you’ll read on the internet, hear misinformed gym-goers discussing in the locker room, or remember from your P.E. teacher’s misguided rants in high school. Dispelling these myths, once and for all, will help you more successfully navigate the world of health and fitness.
Here are seven fitness myths, busted.

1. You can “target” flab

A man doing sit-ups | Source: iStock

You can’t target fatty areas of your body. Sorry, it just doesn’t work like that. Most commonly, you may think you can do a thousand sit-ups per day to get a six-pack. You may be burning calories, but it’s not going to burn the fat from your stomach. Your body stores fat in its own unique way — and burns it in the same way. Losing weight, in general, will eventually lead to fat breakdown in the areas you want, so go big.

2. Starving yourself is a good idea

A man resting after a workout | Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Think you’re going to starve yourself, and put on muscle mass? You’re not, and that’s because your body needs fuel to maintain mass. And if you plan on putting additional mass on, you need to up the intake. Failing to eat enough is going to leave you feeling exhausted and cranky — the key is to eat the right things. Rethink your diet, and see where you can make changes. Failing to eat isn’t going to help you in the short or long run.

3. Rest days are for sissies

A man resting | Source: iStock

No — no, they’re really not. In fact, they’re essential to the fitness process. Rest days are when your muscles go into “rebuilding mode,” and your body actively does away with the broken down and useless tissues you tore through during your previous sets, and uses the building blocks (from your focused, healthy diet!) to rebuild stronger, and better than before. So rest. Your body requires it.

4. Sweating is the same things as burning fat

A man sweating in a sauna | Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Those giant Italian guys on The Sopranos — they loved to hit the steam room. And yet, they never got any smaller over the course of six seasons. That’s because sweating isn’t actually burning calories (maybe a few), it’s just your body’s natural way of cooling itself down. You may be burning through a little more energy as your body’s systems kick into gear, and if you step on a scale after the steam room, you’ll weigh less (because you’re dehydrated), but have you really made any progress?

5. Sleep is for sissies

A man sleeping | Source: iStock

Yeah, yeah — just how rest days are for sissies, so is sleep. After all, that Wolf of Wall Street guy never slept, right? Right. But you need to go to bed. At a reasonable time, and on a reasonable schedule. Sleeping is very important to your health, and there are numerous physical and psychological benefits. Hit the sack, and don’t let anyone make you feel small for it.

6. Big, strong, and functional are all the same thing

A man lifting weights | Source: iStock

You may be jacked, but you might not be all that strong, oddly enough. Or all of that muscle may not be doing much for your functionality. Yes, you’re going to be stronger if you have bulging muscles than if you’re a walking stick figure, but there are times when strength doesn’t always accompany size. You can read more about it, and adjust your goals accordingly. The goal is to be big, but also functionally strong.

7. You need a Gatorade

Drinking Gatorade | Source: iStock

Sure, Gatorade (or Powerade, etc.) is delicious, and particularly good after a hangover or when you’re sick, but it’s not as essential to your post-workout routine as the advertisements would have you believe. You can just stick to water, and save your self some money while you’re at it. But what about those electrolytes, you say? If you’re working out for a long time, say an hour or more at an intense level, then yes, have a Gatorade on hand. But there’s sugar in there too, which can be detrimental. 

Caution is needed for maximum dieting and fitness results.

To your success.