People start exercising in the first place for weight loss. However, it is not surprising that there is lots of misinformation circulating in the media on the right ways to lose weight. Hence, weight loss strategy and wellness are confusing and the following are myths people tend to believe about exercising for weight loss.
1. Exercise Alone Will Help You Lose Weight
Many people start exercising and stick to a new workout routine thinking this will only help them lose weight without incorporating other behavioural changes. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case in the weight loss journey. You must be in a calorie deficit meaning eating less food than your body expends. This being said, focus on your overall behaviour changes and enjoy the exercise as a way to boost your weight loss.
2. The More You Sweat the More Fat You Burn
Sweating is the body’s way to control its temperature and not an indicator of how many calories or fats you burnt. Thus, slower pace workouts like weight lifting or walking uphill on a treadmill are still key for burning calories, and keeping your metabolism high.
3. The More Sore You Are the Better
Feeling sore has to do with how your muscle adapts to being challenged in new ways. Anytime you do a new exercise or use a new equipment, you’re likely to feel sore afterward. Therefore, being sore doesn’t show that you are burning fat but it’s a sign that your muscles are not yet familiar with the new move or weights. Hence, focus on increasing your workload and not the pain.
4. More Exercise Means More Weight Loss
Unfortunately, more exercise doesn’t mean more weight loss. Your body needs rest to recover, however, if you are constantly exercising then your muscles are breaking down and you aren’t giving them time to repair. As muscle repairs they get stronger which means more muscle mass and hence, more calories to burn.
There are way more myths to be busted in the fitness field therefore, always aim to get your information from reliable sources and just focus on yourself. Weight loss is a journey and not a final destination, therefore, introduce new healthy habits gradually and stick to them for a healthy version of yourself.
