Summer is coming in a few months and surely, everyone will start working out to shed excess weight. Before you start working on getting those washboard abs and bikini-fit body, be informed: you might be an avid believer of exercise myths. These will beliefs/activities will actually hurt your weight loss campaign. Unless if you want to maintain your flabs or love handles this summer, read on!
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Myth #1: Eating after a workout isn’t necessary
Some people believe that you shouldn’t eat after a workout since it will only add excess calories. This is false, since you can – and should – get the right nutrition half an hour after a workout. Eating a high protein snack (like a protein bar) or a lean chicken sandwich (with whole grain bread) will help your muscles recover faster from the trauma it experienced. It will also improve overall body composition.
Myth #2: You need energy drinks, not water
No you don’t. Though drinking the power-packed liquid from a bottle would essentially replace lost water, these drinks are filled with insanely high amounts of sugar, which can make you fat. Though athletes who regularly compete in a professional level NEED these, people hoping to simply lose some weight don’t. Clean, filtered water is still the best way to rehydrate.
Myth #3: You shouldn’t eat before a workout
According to numerous studies, you should – but not too much. Keeping your stomach half-full before a workout will improve overall performance. However, be sure you gobbled up a light, lean, high-protein and energy diet and not a fatty one.
Myth #4: Water will add weight
We’ve met people who minimize water intake due to fears that this zero calorie liquid will add to their “water weight”. First off, water weight is easy to shed – cardio exercises are good enough. Second, this is an absolute fallacy: drinking We’ve met people who minimize water intake due to fears that this zero calorie liquid will add to their “water weight”. First off, we don’t know what “water weight” is. Second, this is an absolute fallacy: drinking water speeds up weight loss , especially if taken in before meals. Water speeds up metabolism and gives your body the impression that it’s “feeling full”. , especially if taken in before meals. Water speeds up metabolism and gives your body the impression that it’s “feeling full”.
Myth #5: You shouldn’t eat meat when losing weight
Partially, this is true but only for meats containing bad fat, like pork and beef – so minimize your steak cravings. Avoid eating too much oily bacon (noooo!!!), pork fat, cheeseburgers and deep fried goodies. Focus your efforts in gobbling up LEAN beef, chicken, turkey , venison and seafood. Bear in mind that meats contain protein – this nutrient helps curb appetite, tones your body and contributes to overall weight loss.
Myth #6: Eating less helps you lose weight
If you’re starving yourself, your body’s metabolism slows down dramatically, making it harder for you to lose weight. Aside from which, how can you perform intense workouts if you don’t have enough fuel on your stomach? On the contrary, you should eat five to six SMALL meals a day, allowing you to satisfy your cravings.
Myth #7: Weights will make women possess muscles like men
Ladies, don’t avoid the dumbbells. To possess a body fit for bikinis, you need to build lean muscle – not bulk up. Weight training speeds up metabolism and helps burn calories, helpful in burning the fat around your arms. You don’t have to worry about the possibility of having man muscles: women don’t produce as much testosterone as men – a hormone vital for muscle growth.
Do you know other weight loss and exercise myths? Please write them up in the comments!
