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Physical Fitness: 8 Expectations vs. Reality
Busting 8 Myths about Physical Fitness
Picture the perfect workout. You have a tailored fitness plan. You show up rocking the coolest new gear, you breeze your way through a tough but doable workout, and you leave the gym with a satisfied smile. You eat a perfectly balanced breakfast and check yourself out in the mirror. Are you seeing things or do you look a bit trimmer? Feeling 100% refreshed, you’re ready to do it all again the next morning.
Now ask yourself, how often has that happened to you? Probably never. Imagining the results from a workout can look very different in reality. But just because your exercise sessions don’t look like an Instagram image doesn’t mean you won’t see the results you want. By changing your fitness mindset and exercising smart, you can look and feel your best.
Myth #1 You need to look like the athletes online.
It’s easy to compare ourselves to others. Just scroll through your phone and you will see professional bodybuilders and shredded athletes. The message is “This is what you need to look like.” But that simply isn’t true. It’s more important that you focus on becoming the healthiest person you can be. And that will look different for everyone.
A bodybuilder’s physique isn’t going to do you any good if you want to become faster. And a ripped runner isn’t who you need to be if you want to build muscle. Aim to look like what is best and healthiest for you. That may mean sacrificing muscle for speed, or skinniness for strength.
As long as you workout in a way that is right for you, you will build a strong, healthy body.
Myth #2 The best way to track your progress is by your weight.
Weight isn’t the most important factor of measuring success at the gym. Body composition is much more important.
Everyone holds their weight differently. Body composition measurements tell you what percentage of your weight is muscle mass, skeletal muscle, and fat. If you can measure your body composition you will get a much healthier picture of your body than by just measuring your weight. By monitoring these percentages, you can measure how your workouts are affecting your body.
Myth #3 You will look like your athletic role model.
Sadly, not all of us can look like Chris Hemsworth or Serena Williams. Apart from their crazy training routines, they may simply be built physically different than you are. That’s because of genetics.
Genetics determine how you look. They affect everything from your body shape to the type of workout that will be most effective for you.
If you have a smaller figure, no amount of sparring will make you bigger. Likewise, it’s not realistic for someone with a large figure to shrink down to a smaller person’s frame.
Getting to know your body shape can be a helpful tool for you to understand what workouts and nutrition plans will benefit you the most.
Myth #4 You have to exercise at the same time each day.
Everyone seems busy now, and often no two days look the same. It can feel impossible to make fitness a habit. But it’s more important to work out consistently. So don’t be afraid to be flexible, and try to find a time that works for you, even if that means exercising at a different time.
Maybe you can get in a quick workout before picking up the kids from school. You could visit the gym straight after work before relaxing on the weekend. If you’re a night owl, use that surge of late-night energy to move. Find what works for you, and keep going. That’s the quickest way to see results.
Suggested Read: It can be difficult to make fitness a habit. Read our tips on how to do that here!
Myth #5 You can exercise your way back to your 20-year-old body.
Our bodies change naturally as we age and experience life. Pregnancy, injuries, diet, and activity will affect how our bodies look each year. In general, once people age past 30, the body can start to change.
But don’t worry! Instead of wishing for the body you used to have, it is more beneficial to focus on improving your body now. Accept where you are and work to improve. It’s never too late to get into shape. Besides; a large contributing factor to weight gain is lifestyle; meaning if you change your lifestyle to be more active, you can change your body!
Myth #6 You have to work out 24/7 to stay in shape.
The saying is work smarter, not harder, and it’s true. Consistency will get you results. But that doesn’t mean you need to go to the gym everyday.
In fact, you need rest days in order to gain the full benefit of a workout. But how many rest days you need will differ from person to person. It will also affect the results of your exercising.
If you workout 3 times a week for one hour, you will see different results from someone who works out 5 days a week for two hours.
This doesn’t mean one way is right and one is wrong. It just means that you will get out what you put in, and that some people need to put in more than others. Ultimately, it’s not about who is working out the hardest or the most often, but who is exercising the smartest (and having the most fun!) By paying attention to what your body needs and working with it instead of against it, you will see good results from your workouts.
Myth #7 You need a lot of equipment to get started.
Nope! All you need to get started is a good attitude. Really.
While it depends on the type of workouts you do, you shouldn’t need much to start. Bodyweight exercises and running don’t require any other gear. Of course, you’re going to need certain equipment as you advance, but don’t worry about it when you start.
Instead, focus on building good habits as you begin your physical fitness journey. Once you are firmly grounded in your fitness plan, you can incorporate more advanced equipment into your routine.
Suggested Read: Struggling to find the motivation to workout? Hire me to be your online personal trainer! Read about the benefits of working with an online personal trainer here.
Myth #8 As long as you exercise, you can eat anything you want.
Sadly, no. Diet plays a huge role in determining our physical well being. For people who exercise casually (2-4 times per week), nutrition makes up 80% of your physical well being.
However, trying fad diets or alternating between significantly different diet plans can harm your body. Instead, try working with a qualified nutritionist or personal trainer. They will help you come up with a meal plan that is right for you and that will give you the most energy and nutrients while keeping you lean.
Remember, eating ‘bad’ food can negate the positive effects of all your hard work. Your body needs both fuel and power to function, so slacking on one just won’t cut it. Keep eating, keep working out, and keep doing your best to find the balance between them.
Change your fitness mindset
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