Exercise is important for everyone. Moving your body is a great way to feel better, lose weight, clear your mind, and more. However, there are many things people think or do when it comes to working out that aren’t true. Let’s debunk these myths!
Myth 1. You can work off a bad diet
The key to staying healthy, and achieving the body you want, is a combination of exercise and nutrition. Do not focus on exercise and neglect your diet, especially if you are trying to lose weight. Following a balanced diet while working out will help you reach your goals as well as prevent you from lifestyle diseases. Quit eating food with no nutrients or overeating and you will see the results you want much quicker.
Myth 2. You need to stretch before a workout
From the time you were young, you were probably told to stretch at the beginning of a P.E. class, before a sports event, or before exercising. This should actually be done the opposite way. While it is important to warm up before you put more exertion on your muscles, it is actually better to do static stretches afterward. Stretching after is better because your muscles are already warm and it allows you to help ease your body out of the movement you had been doing.
Myth 3. Fat can turn into muscle and muscle can turn into fat
Fat and muscle do not turn into each other. You simply can burn fat and build muscle. They are two separate things in our bodies. When you stop working out for a while your muscle doesn’t turn into fat, you just simply lose muscle or gain more fat on top of the existing muscle. Certain workouts can reduce fat while increasing muscle at the same time.
Myth 4. You should workout everyday
It is very common to believe that the more you exercise results in better health and being more in shape. However, your body needs time to recover so that it can rebuild muscle. Giving your body and muscles time to heal will give you more strength and endurance while also helping to tone your body. Staying hydrated and getting enough sleep during this recovery time is very beneficial. During this time, to keep your body moving an active you can substitute your normal workout for some gentle stretching or go walking.
Myth 5. The sweatier the better
Sweating is simply the way your body tries to cool you down and some people happen to be sweatier than others. You might weigh less after a sweaty workout but this is just because your body is losing water which means that you need to rehydrate.
Myth 6. Sports drinks are good for you
Sports drinks have always been viewed as a great way to rehydrate with lots of electrolytes fast. However, not many people think about the unnecessary sugar, calories, and sodium that they are adding into their bodies. Typically after exercising, you should only need water to rehydrate your body and your muscles. When working out for more than 60 minutes at a very high intensity or under extreme heat, you may need to replenish with electrolytes. Keep drinking water and don’t add the extra sugar, calories, and sodium that you are trying to avoid.
Myth 7. Bodyweight workouts don’t work
Bodyweight workouts are a great way to start working out. They don’t require a gym membership, they’re simple, and they’re effective! When doing bodyweight workouts you can do more reps, more volume of reps, and do more difficult things than you could when holding weights. While you eventually will probably want to add in some free weights or resistance bands, doing bodyweight workouts is a great way to start.
Myth 8. You have to exercise in the morning
Working out in the morning is a great way to start the day…if you’re a morning person. The fact is, the best time to workout is whenever you want to workout. If you have time to set aside and dedicate yourself to exercising, it is a good time to workout.
Now that you know the facts, keep taking care of your body; stay hydrated, work out when you have time to, and eat right!
Sources:
health.mo.gov/living/wellness/nutrition/nutritionphysicalactivity
vitals.lifehacker.com/are-bodyweight-exercises-effective-1684200011