Fitness myths and truths

It continues to amaze how many misconceptions there are out there in regards to living a fit lifestyle. Quick fixes and desperation can create a haze around the truth that people have a hard time seeing through.

The following are just a few fitness myths and truths when it comes to topics such as eating meals, a workout plan for women and other common misconceptions people have in regards to their fitness goals. 

Myth #1
If I do enough ab exercises, I’ll develop a six pack

Truth #1
Ab exercises are needed to create that six pack that everyone wants, but it requires much more. Your abs are hidden behind your fat and to see those abs, you need to reduce that fat through proper diet and exercise. If you have fat around your stomach and only focus on ab exercises, your strong abs will remain hidden behind that fat.  Any workout plan for women requires a full plan that focuses on strength training, cardio and proper eating.  Only then will you find your six pack.


Myth #2
Women who weight train will end up looking like a she-male ‘Helga’.

Truth #2
If anyone that lifts weights automatically gets big, why do all those men (with their testosterone) who knock themselves out lifting heavy weights struggle to gain muscle? Because substantial muscle gain is really tough – and substantial muscle gain for women is unbelievably tough. That’s why most of the women that you see that fit the description above have gotten to that point through the use of steroids.


Myth #3
High reps for fat loss and low reps for building muscle

Truth #3
High reps can result in building muscle and low reps can result in fat loss. The key is to change up your routine, have a sound nutritional plan and continue to evolve your program.


Myth #4
You need to eat mainly protein and limit your carbs to reduce fat

Truth #4
This Atkins approach to eating meals can work, but anyone that’s done it can tell you that it’s not sustainable. If you want to change your eating habits that will result in fat loss and maintaining a healthy body, you need carbs. Besides, how else are you going to find the energy for your killer workouts?


Myth #5
The less you eat, the more weight you’ll lose.

Truth #5
You need to keep you metabolism chugging. To do that, you need to continually feed it to keep it running like a well-oiled machine. When you don’t eat, chances are you’ll slow down that metabolism which will result in limiting your fat loss. Reducing your caloric intake is a good idea. Cutting it off is not.


Myth #6
To remove fat from your body, you need to remove fat from your diet

Truth #6
It is essential that you eat certain dietary fats, such as Omega 3’s for example. The fats that you want to greatly reduce are saturated fats and trans fats.   This is one of those tips on eating healthy that seems to surprise most.



It’s important that you continue to educate yourself on diet and exercise from sources such as this site, publications, trainers, friends and other online sources. A fit lifestyle involves continues learning and understanding to ensure that what you’re doing isn’t done in vain. The more you know, the better you’ll feel and look.