Staying on top of our health is not as easy as we think. Exercising and working out effectively is something that takes time, perseverance, dedication and time management. To get the desired results, dedication is a must. When we start exercising we may look up information on the internet. Some of this information can be great but another similar source might be garbage and it can be difficult to tell the difference. We have gathered some common misconceptions to dispel, so that you can start your health journey on the right track.
8 Health Myths That People Get Wrong And How The Truth Will Benefit You
Reducing your calorie consumption is mandatory for weight loss – Health Myths
According to WebMD’s post to retain a healthy weight; both men and women should follow the estimated calorie requirement. The average man should consume a total of 2,400 calories per day. The average woman should consume an average of 2,000 calories daily. Excessive calorie cutting is not advisable. There are a lot of risks that come with sharply reducing the number of calories from your diet. You can become really run down as your body is trying to function normally with a deficiency in nutrients. You are at risk of losing muscle mass and physical and mental energy. As a whole, drastic calorie cutting does not create good eating habits for the long term. It is better to make subtle changes over time so you can incorporate the changes permanently.
Lifting weights will make you look like Johnny Bravo – Health Myths
Gym classes and weightlifting are great forms of exercise. Most women try to avert themselves from the weights because of a belief that if they try weightlifting they will begin to look “masculine” or “bulky”. Opposite to what most people believe, this is actually fictitious. In fact, you eliminate more calories by weightlifting. Lifting weight can help shape your physique, not make it any bulkier. It is always a good idea to do a lessons with a personal trainer so that they can explain how the muscles will change over time.
Excessive hours of steady-state cardio is the key to weight loss – Health Myths
Long tiring hours of cardio is not your solution to weight loss. The upper advisable amount of cardio per person is 35 minutes for 5 days of the week. Cardio is necessary for losing weight but it’s only part of the bigger picture. Some of these important factors include sleep quality, balanced diet, stress levels and good health. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket, combining healthy habits will have you achieve faster results.
Consuming this specific food or drink will give you an astounding body – Health Myths
It has not been proven that any type of food or drink will make you have a perfect body, there are however foods that are more beneficial than others. Some of these foods are fish, berries, melon, beans, eggs, oranges, broccoli, dark chocolate, quinoa, tomatoes, yogurt, tea, spinach, and avocados. Do your own research and don’t be afraid to ask others, this can save you a lot of time and work. There are thousands of healthy options it’s just a matter of finding the ones that you like.
Your weight defines how healthy a person is – Health Myths
Your weight does not determine how healthy you are. A person can be healthy-looking but malnourished or obese. A person’s health is determined by body composition, body mass, activity level, how he/she exercises, his/her diet and sleeping pattern among many other factors. The fact is you can get skinnier but actually weigh more! So take your eyes off the scales and stay focused on your goals.
Targeting specific body parts for weight loss – Health Myths
Targeting specific areas of body fat in your body would be an ideal exercise, sadly it has not been proven by scientific studies. Researchers found out that although there is fat loss occurring, it was generalized throughout the entire body, not the specific body part being that was being exercised.
Skipping meals before exercising help in losing weight – Health Myths
Food is your source of energy for your body. Skipping meals before a workout can give you weight loss benefits and risks. Some research suggests that you’ll drop bad weight in a short time but eventually gain more belly fat. You can also be at risk of poor mental function, nutrient deficiencies – fatigue, and other health concerns. There are some great reasons to skip meals, but losing weight is not one of them. It is important to eat 30 minutes before your workout.
You’ll build up weight if you eat during night hours – Health Myths
Eating at night does not necessarily mean that you’re going to put on weight. You’ll only gain weight if you exceed the recommended calorie intake per day. So if you prefer to eat later then that is fine, just take that into account for the days meal plan.