Weight Loss and Fitness Myths 6 To 10
November 23, 2008 by Jack
Myth #6 – You can’t lose weight.
FACT – You CAN lose weight but it often happens much slower than you’d like it to. Believing that you CAN lose weight is critical to making it happen.
Realize that if you are consistently doing the right things, it will happen. Don’t get side-tracked by every new crazy diet or exercise gizmo.
Myth #7 – You shouldn’t start weight training until you’ve lost most of the weight you want to lose because it will slow down your fat loss, or trap your fat in the muscle, or who knows what else.
FACT – Weight training is VITAL to a weight loss program because it turns up the metabolic fires that burn calories -and it tones your muscles. You should start weight training immediately.
Myth #8 – You burn more fat if you exercise on an empty stomach.
FACT – Exercising on an empty stomach does not affect how you lose weight. In fact, it may hinder it if you don’t have the energy to exercise. Eating or not eating before exercise should strictly be a matter of personal preference.
Myth #9 – You should always do your weight training just before your aerobic exercise session because you burn more fat that way. I’ve even heard that you should weight train, eat two raw carrots, and then do your aerobic exercise.
FACT – The order in which you exercise does not affect how you lose weight. I always recommend weight training just after your aerobic exercise (such as walking) simply because your muscles are warm and supple and much less prone to injuries.
Myth #10 – You’ll burn more calories jogging a mile than walking a mile.
FACT – Caloric expenditure is 62 calories per 100 pounds body weight per mile traveled (walked or jogged). For example, if you weight 150 pounds, you expend 93 calories per mile walked or jogged (62 x 1.5). Of course, if you’re jogging, you’ll cover the distance in less time than if you’re walking.
Thus, you’ll burn more calories in a given period of time if you’re jogging.
