We debunk fit-myths!

Myths related to health and being in good shape are really great! Currently (thankfully!) more and more people are leading a conscious, healthy lifestyle. And with that comes the fact that more and more people are perpetuating false and often dangerous myths. Those that can lead to eating disorders and cause frustration within us. What are we talking about? Read on!

1. Avoid carbohydrates, fat, or sugar because they make you fat!

It's not specific products that make you fat, but simply a caloric surplus. We have good news - you don't gain weight from any product, and the bad news - you don't lose weight either. In practice, this means that if you feel like it, you can eat a real mix of carbs, fats, and sugars and not gain a single gram. In fact, by including it in your caloric needs, you can easily reduce your weight. ;) The situation looks similar in the other direction. You can eat only fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed products, enter what is called a "caloric surplus," and gain weight.

The same principle applies to all "healthy" and "unhealthy" snacks and meals. For example, nuts. They are super healthy. They are also very caloric, and some in large quantities are not even recommended (e.g., Brazil nuts). In comparison - chips. Considered "unhealthy." They are also mega caloric, just like nuts. We give up these "unhealthy" ones in favor of "healthy" ones, which we assume will help us lose weight. Nothing could be further from the truth. Calories, whether from mega-healthy or slightly less healthy products, are still the same calories. They count the same. So you can spend the whole day munching on donuts, which are a bomb of carbohydrates, fats, and sugars, snacking on chips, and sipping sweet smoothies and still be in a deficit, meaning losing weight.

Such a perception of products and dividing them into "healthy" and "unhealthy" is very harmful, especially in times when so many of us struggle with eating disorders.

Will it be the healthiest solution? Of course not, but we don't live in a black-and-white world, so BALANCE, girls. Even in diet, it is so important.

2. Exercises for specific body parts will allow you to lose weight from them.

How many times have you heard to do crunches to "lose weight from the belly"? Definitely too many! The truth is that you can't lose weight from a specific body part. There are no exercises that will allow you to slim down your legs, belly, or arms. However, there are those that will strengthen them or help build muscle. A proper diet, regular workouts, and you'll reach your goal!

3. Eat little!

What more can I say - nonsense! Eat as much as your body needs. You can easily calculate your caloric needs using free calculators available online. Take into account your lifestyle, such as whether you exercise, how often, how intensely, and how you work. Starving yourself or having too large a caloric deficit will not lead to anything good, so eat wisely!

4. If you get out of breath - you have poor fitness!

In short - not getting out of breath during exercise is almost impossible. Regardless of our fitness level, when we train, our body adapts to the new situation, and our breathing frequency and lung ventilation change. All to provide us with the right amount of oxygen. Over time, our breathing will calm down, but it will still not be like during rest, walking, or lying on the couch. 

However, it is true that people who train regularly have less shortness of breath and find it easier to stabilize their breathing. 

However, remember that if you experience shortness of breath during training that does not stabilize for a longer time, it may indicate that the training is too intense for you. Keep this in mind to avoid overexerting yourself.

5. Don't eat after 6:00 PM! And forget about fruits after noon! 

We are not talking here about the popular "intermittent fasting" which we will discuss in a separate blog post, but about obsessively watching the clock. The truth is, of course, that food has exactly the same number of calories at 7:00 AM, 12:45 PM, and 9:30 PM. It also does not matter what we eat. If you feel like a banana at 7:00 PM - eat it. It won't turn into a calorie bomb, nor will it harm you. 

However, it is true that we should have our last meal 2 hours before going to bed. If we extend this time, we can slow down our metabolism and make weight loss even slower. 

There are many myths about healthy eating! While some are quite funny and harmless, a few can carry unpleasant consequences. We are curious about which ones you have encountered on your journey to your dream, healthy figure? Share it in the comments.