Fitness Myths and Facts
The fitness industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Sadly, women are the biggest targets of this industry. They want us to feel that something is wrong with us. Furthermore, if we only buy the next product, the new supplement, or follow the latest fad diet we can be fixed.
I will let you in on a little secret. There is nothing wrong with you and you don’t need to be fixed. Certainly, there may be things we need to work on. But fixed? Absolutely not. In 99% of the cases, most people just need to lift some weights, move a little more, focus on protein, eat those fruits + vegetables, drink more water, be consistent and have a little patience.
There is so much information out there it is hard to distinguish between the fitness myths and facts. Fitness influencers constantly promote the latest product that will fix us. We think because they have tens of thousands of followers they know what the are talking about. We read “studies” that us the latest fad diet is a cure-all. We see advertisements that zero in on all the buzz words which make us believe they do what they claim. Truly, it is tough to know what is truth and what is pure junk.
I can’t block out all of the noise that gets thrown at you. However, I can help you discover what is a fitness myth and what is a fact.
Instead of spending more money on the latest product, let’s sort through some of the information floating around out there.
Let’s Sort Through Fitness Myths and Facts
Myth 1: You need to pay for a fancy gym membership and have a gym full of equipment to get results.
Fact 1: Some dumbbells, kettlebells and resistance bands are enough to get you results. Fancy machines are great but they’re not a necessity.
Myth 2: There is some magical moment in the future where getting in shape will be easier.
Fact 2: It will never be convenient. There’s always something else to do. But anything worth doing, is worth doing today. Especially protecting your health.
Myth 3: You can get fast results.
Fact 3: Results tend to be slower than you are sold online. This is okay! Give yourself more time and be patient.
Myth 4: You’re just one product/pill away from your goals.
Fact 4: Supplements can help but MOST don’t. Most wellness influencers are just trying to sell you something. If someone’s selling a “new” solution to a “new” problem be skeptical.
Myth 5: There’s something uniquely wrong with you.
Fact 5: The wellness industry makes more money when you think you are broken. You’re not. You, like most everyone, just need to build some habits and remeber how uniquely great you are.
Myth 6: More is better.
Fact 6: Exercise is awesome. But you absolutely do not need to workout 6-7 times/week. A few, even just 2-3 workouts a week, can change your whole life.
Myth 7: There’s something wrong with your cortisol.
Fact 7: Cortisol is confusing and hard to understand. And while hormones can play a role in your fat loss, companies take advantage of this confusion to sell you a product. Your cortisol is most likely fine.
Myth 8: You need to follow a restrictive diet.
Fact 8: Most diets don’t work. You don’t need a diet, you need a lifestyle. Focus on getting enough protein, eat fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Eat more nutrient dense foods and less overly processed foods.
Where do you go from here?
These are just some of the fitness myths floating around. Unfortunately, more come out every day. However, there are some things you can do to sort through all of the information. Be aware of who you receive information from. Just because someone has a lot of followers on social media doesn’t necessarily mean they are qualified to be giving advice. Look to see that the person has a certification or degree in fitness and/or nutrition. Be cautious of who conducted the studies you read. If it was done by the company selling the product, the results may be skewed.
My best advice is to try as best as you can to block out the noise, stick to the basics, and hire a coach to get you started on the best plan for you!
