Weight Loss Myths
|
Every regime has its supply of useless folk lore and half-truths that gets passed on down the line from person to person. But I'd put weight loss up against any of them for what has to be the most time wasting and even the most dangerous myths out there.
There is a ton of free advice seen in the media these daysand if it is taken seriously, can really set you back on your weight loss endeavours. This can lead to the kind of frustration that makes people think they are "destined to remain fat for life".
This in not true, Have a look at the Weight loss myths below and draw your own conclusions.
Exercise on an empty stomach and burn more fat.
Effective weight loss is the total amount of calories burned during the day, not how or why they were burned. It doesn't matter if it is night or morning, so exercise early in the day has no advantage to exercise later in the day.
Studies show that increased metabolism induced by anaerobic exercise is actually less after a large meal. Which probably means that more energy is being used for digestion than what is being used to repair muscle.
More exercise is better.
Every exercise session is beneficial to each individual, however more is not always better. It depends on what is trying to be achieved. There is a level and frequency required to achieve results.
After this level is reached, additional exercise can have the opposite effect, not allowing the body to recuperate and adapt to the stress induced by the exercise, which can be detrimental to your results.
After stopping exercise muscle will turn to fat.
This in not possible, Muscle and fat are two different types of tissues in the body and you cannot convert one into the other. This is like trying to turn water into milk. If you stop training, the muscles will shrink in size - and do not disappear. The more calories taken in that are not burned off will be deposited as fat.
If your not sweating you're not working hard enough.
Sweating is the body's way of cooling itself down. Many factors contribute to body temperature, including room temperature, types of exercise done, body-fat levels, clothing, and exercise intensity. The intensity for exercise can't be judged by the amount you sweat.
A well-trained person will often sweat a lot because their body can more efficiently regulate heat.
Can I take sugar before exercise to raise energy levels?
Ingestion of sugar will lead to a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. This rapid rise stimulates a release of insulin, which quickly removes the excess sugar from the blood system, often causing your blood sugar levels to drop, sometimes below the level that it started at, leading to faster exhaustion.
Gaining weight is just a part of getting older.
Getting older is not an excuse for gaining weight! As we age and begin a more sedentary lifestyle we start to lose muscle mass.
The efficiency of your metabolism is directly linked to how much muscle you have on your body. The most efficient way of maintaining your body's muscle mass and keeping your metabolism from dropping, is by doing a high intensity strength training workout once a week.
X is the best form of exercise.
Claims like this are usually based on marketing strategy and personal bias. Even when claims are based on factual information, they have little practical value to the average exerciser. The most important thing is to choose an activity that you like, and perform it properly and consistently.
If it's fat free I can have as much as I want.
Unfortunately fat free doesn't mean calorie free. The word fat free is misleading because if you overeat on anything, even fat free foods and you don't burn off those calories, your body will store the excess as fat.
Don't drink water when you exercise or you will get cramps.
By drinking litres of icy cold water in one go while exercising you will probably suffer from cramps. This is why it is important to drink water continuously before, during and after exercising to replace the fluid you've lost and avoid any discomfort.
By not having a personal trainer I wont make gains.
Hiring a personal trainer is one way you can use to reach your goals, but you are an adult capable of making decisions and setting your own goals once you have the knowledge of how to go about it. Following a good exercise program and eating plan does not require someone standing over you and telling you how to do it.
By exercising my abs I will lose my pot belly.
Exercising your abdominals will help to tone and firm the abdominal region, but it will not reduce fat deposits that are responsible for a pot belly. Fat reduction comes from burning more calories than you take in. Fat is reduced uniformly throughout the body there is no such thing as spot reduction.
Gary Matthews is a trainer from "down under" who has been coaching clients from athletes to bodybuilders for two decades. You may contact Gary directly at gary@maximumfitness.com and visit his website at
http://www.maximumfitness.com.
|
|
|
Motivation: Keeping The Fire Going In Your Fat Loss Plan
Motivation is a factor often overlooked when it comes to weight loss endeavors because you feel strong and determined when first embarking on a fat loss plan. You're positive you'll never lose sight of your goals. But, what happens when you lose your focus and motivation takes a serious dive? Can you ever regain your fierce determination and get back on track? YES YOU CAN!Are you ready?Are you ready to stop fighting against your own success? Are you read...(related: Weight Loss)
Government Against Diets
The Government of the Australian state of Victoria has started a campaign aimed at warning people of the dangers of fad diets. The campaign is believed to be the first of its kind in the...(related: Weight Loss)
3 Steps Gastric Bypass Patients Can Take To Avoid Calcium Deficiency
Most Americans do not get enough calcium in their diets; the average daily intake is 500 milligrams shy of the RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) of 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams.Gastric bypass patients are even more unlikely to intake adequate dietary calcium and without supplementation they may become calcium deficient which ultimately results in osteoporosis. Weight loss surgery patients are limited by the volume of calcium rich foods they may consume. In addition,...(related: Weight Loss)
Is The Dr Atkins Diet Safe?
The Dr Atkins Diet has been around for ages, but it has gained significant popularity just over the last several years. Despite its popularity, as with many low carb diets, the Dr Atkins Diet has been the subject of a lot of controversy.Many doctors, especially cardiologists, argue the safety of the Dr Atkins diet. On this diet you are allowed to eat, virtually, unlimited amounts of many fatty foods. You can have bacon and eggs every morning for breakfast, you just have to skip the toast and hash browned potatoes. It would not be uncommon, on the Dr Atkins Diet, to fry up a juicy cheeseburger for dinner, as long as you toss the bun and fries out the door.The upside to passing on carbs is that your body is forced to feast on the f...(related: Weight Loss)
The Truth About How To Lose Weight
The huge companies stealing your money by promising impossible results if you just drink their shake, take their pill, or do 10 minutes of exercise on their wiz-bang machines are abusing your trust in the name of profits and market share.The real truth is that most (if not all) the products they're peddling are worthless ? to you, that is. To them, the products are incredibly v...(related: Weight Loss)
3 Simple Changes In How You Eat That Will Make Dramatic Results In Your Ability To Burn Fat:
1. Increase your water intake to at least 1 gallon of Plain, fresh water per day. Start your day with a full gallon jug, and just make sure you sip on it all day long, and before you know it, it will be gone and so will some body fat.2. Increase the number of meals you eat each day to at least 5 or 6 small to medium sized meals.3. Eat nothing but lots of raw vegetables and baked, steamed or broiled lean protein (like skinless chicken, fish, egg whites or lean red meat).For a ton of f.ree, valuable tips, tricks, and secrets visit: http://www.MaximizeYourMetabolism.com© 2002-2004 Wisdom Books, LLC & Christopher Guerriero WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as...(related: Weight Loss)
Does Calorie Restriction Lead To Weight Loss?
Yes and no. Moderate calorie restriction helps in controlling and getting rid of fat to a certain extent.In fact the so called low carbohydrate diets are low calor...(related: Weight Loss)
Weight Loss, Exercise, And Bodybuilding Tips ? Keeping Your Body-fat Low: Part 4 Of 10
Which is easier to do ? turn a car's steering wheel while sitting still in the driveway or when it is speeding down the highway? Sure, the answer is simple...it's easier to turn when you are moving or going down the road. When things are moving, there seems to be a more fluid pace. Your time in the gym and during your workouts is the same. Keeping your body fat levels low is a matter of flow and movement.Low Body Fat Technique #4: A Matter of Flow!I have won numerous bodybuilding championships and have consistently exercised every week for over twenty years. The smartest decision I have ever made that has made the biggest influence on my success in the gym is; I put a time frame each day on my workouts.At the time I did not know the impact having a sense of urgency on my workouts would have on my body fat l...(related: Weight Loss)
Weight Loss & Health Tips Revealed: Can I Be Fit And Fat?
We all have an image of "fit" - lean, even thin, with a healthy glow. Many researchers are now beginning to question that picture of fitness - there may be more to being "fit" and less to being "fat" than conventional wisdom suggests.What Are The Dangers Of Extra WeightCarrying extra weight can put stress on your body. People who are overweight - that is, who weigh more for their height than is considered healthy - may be at increased risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and strokes, and may put additional pressure on their joints.So Thin People Are In Danger Too?However, as recent debates among scientists show, the "fit = thin" equation may hide a more complex situat...(related: Weight Loss)
Do Diet Pills Really Work?
You've seen diet pill advertisements? You have read the testimonials claiming diet pills work. You have often wondered - will diet pills work for me?For fast weight loss, diet pills can work. If you are overweight or obese, using diet pills can help to kick start y...(related: Weight Loss)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Weight Loss