You may be spending hours running on the treadmill yet your weighing machine may be showing disappointing results. When this happens, you must blame yourself for following workout myths.
Have you been putting in a lot of time, effort and sweat in the gym to get into your desired shape? Do you still fail to slip into those tight-fitted jeans you used to wear in college? Well, the answer to your problem lies in the myths you blindly follow when you work out.
So, following is a list of some workout myths that interfere with your regime results and make you weigh the same as you were before the commencement of this regime.
Myth 1
More calories are burnt when you exercise empty stomach.
Fact
There are no short cuts to reduce fat. During a workout, both fat and carbohydrates are burnt. In a recent study, it was shown that when you work out empty stomach you might burn few extra calories but, the total calories burnt turns out to be the same. So, the choice of eating or not before the workout completely lies on you.
Myth 2
Walking at a comfortable speed for an hour is a way to exercise.
Fact
A body in motion is always better than the body at rest. But, when it comes to losing weight you must gain speed. When you walk slowly, the insulin sensitivity in your body improves, there is a surge in your energy levels, the stress is reduced and your blood pressure is lowered. However, your weight loss results will depend on your starting point. If you are over-weight, slow or leisurely walking cannot be of much help. You must gain some pace to shed those extra kilos.
Myth 3
The number of calories burnt during running and walking is the same.
Fact
Studies have shown that running a mile can burn as much as 30 per cent more calories than walking depending on your speed. This happens because running requires more effort hence, calorie-burning muscles are used in the entire body.
Myth 4
Body fat can be turned into muscles.
Fact
You must know that fat and muscles are different tissues and therefore, you cannot transform one into another. However, sometimes you may feel it happening. This happens because you start to lose muscle mass in your 30s, leading to a slowed metabolism which then piles up some extra pounds. This fat can be seen in places where you earlier had muscles.
Myth 5
Muscles weigh more than fat.
Fact
A pound of muscle is found to weigh as much as a pound of fat. However, while the fat is found to be fluffier, the muscle is more dense and compact. The muscles occupy very less space in the body hence, making the body weight increase as you add more compact and tight muscles.
Myths that can prohibit you from achieving your desired body shape must be busted as early as possible so that your workouts are worthwhile.
Image source: Getty
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