When exercise is the discussion topic, many myths come up! What is your primary myth for skipping that workout? In the past, I found myself saying I didn’t have time for a workout because I only had 43 min., not the necessary hour! I had to bust this myth quickly in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Continue reading common exercise myths & see if you need to bust one as well!
Exercise Myth 1. You Will Burn More Fat If You Exercise Longer at a Lower Intensity. The most important focus in exercise is how many calories are burned during the activity, increasing heart rate & oxygen intake, & breaking a sweat.
Exercise Myth 2. If You’re Not Going to Work Out Hard and Often, Exercise Is a Waste of Time. Any exercise is better than none. For example, regular walking or gardening for as little as an hour a week may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Exercise Myth 3. Going to a Gym Is the Best Way to Get Fit, Skip Home Workouts. The “best” program for you is the one you will participate in consistently. So choose an environment & movement that you enjoy whether it is in the house, gym, park, sidewalk, etc.
Exercise Myth 4. If You Exercise Long and Hard Enough, You Will Always Get the Results You Want. The food you choose to eat, sleep quality, and stress management behavior play a key role in the results you want in addition to the frequency, intensity, & time you exercise. You need to focus on all 4 areas of health to achieve a healthy lifestyle! Exercise
Myth 5. Exercise Allows You to Lose All the Weight You Desire. Although exercise alone cannot guarantee your ideal weight, regular physical activity is one of the most important factors for successful long-term weight management.
Exercise Myth 6. If You Want to Lose Weight, Stay Away From Strength Training Because You Will Bulk Up. Strength training helps maintain muscle mass and decrease body fat percentage. Muscle also burns more calories than fat. Building muscle is necessary for healthy aging & disease prevention.
Exercise Myth 7. The Benefits of Mind-Body Exercise Like Tai Chi and Yoga Are Questionable. Tai chi may improve low-back pain and fibromyalgia. Improved flexibility, balance, coordination, strength and stress management are just a few benefits of yoga. In addition, both may aid in relaxing the brain for clearer & more intentional problem-solving skills.
Exercise Myth 8. Overweight People Are Unlikely to Benefit Much From Exercise. People who participate in regular fitness programs, in comparison to sedentary individuals, have a lower risk of all-cause mortality, regardless of weight.
