Three Fitness Myths

by Cheng-Ling Chen — January 17, 2008

People say different things about exercise, and it can get confusing with all the information out there. I was reading Women's Fitness.net about various fitness myths, and here are three that surprised me.

• Once you stop exercising, muscles turn into fat. What do you think, true or false? I'd heard this many times and pretty much thought it was true. False! Muscle and fat are comprised of totally different body tissues. One cannot turn into the other. However, what is true is that once you stop exercising, your muscles decrease in size given insufficient work. Less muscle tissue leads to more room for storing body fat.
• All fat is bad. This one is also a myth. People avoid fatty foods, thinking that less fat intake is better. However, fat plays a very important role for the body. A source of essential fatty acids, fat maintains healthy skin and hair, insulates body organs against shock, sustains body temperature, and promotes healthy cell function. It also stores energy for the body. Avoiding all fats is not the way to go. Instead, distinguish between good fats from bad ones. (Stay tuned for a more thorough discussion on fats!)
• Yoga or pilates is the way to go. Myth again! Yoga and pilates are great ways to exercise. Both enhance flexibility, healthy alignment, and mental focus. However, being fit means challenging your body in a balanced way. Just like your fitness routine should not only comprise of running or lifting weights, it should not rely solely on yoga or pilates. Mix it up. Practice yoga during the week with running on the other days, or pilates with some cycling. The variety keeps you engaged, helps raise your heart rate, and provides a thorough workout for your whole body.