6 Myths About Female Fitness

• Lifting heavy weights will make me bulky or manly: The idea that lifting heavy will only lead to you looking bulky is one of the most popular misconceptions about working out. In reality, it is very very difficult for a woman to bulk up the way a man does. For most women, it's actually impossible without the help of supplements, tons of time, and effort to look specifically that way. What lifting heavy weights will help you with is perking up any saggy areas, reducing fat, and leading to toned muscle definition. If you don't want to look toned and fit, then by all means, skip the weights. But, if your fitness goals include fat loss, muscle gain, improved health and feeling great, then stack on some weights and pump that iron!
• You can spot reduce fat in your problem areas: "I want to lose weight in my belly, so by doing lots of ab workouts, I'll slim down in that area, right?" Wrong! Spot reducing fat in one body part by specifically targeting it is a myth. If you are trying to lose weight, you will lose weight in areas that you are genetically predisposed to lose weight in first, not just the area you work out the most. So do your cardio, hit the weights hard and heavy, and learn to love what makes you, well, you!
• I work out, therefore I don't have to watch what I eat: Put down the milkshake and fries! Just because you work out doesn't mean you can just let your diet have a mind of its own! A healthy diet paired with regular exercise is the formula for a healthy body *and* mind. Don't undo all your hard work by not watching what you eat. Make sure you're getting enough protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs, and not going overboard on the dessert. This is one of the biggest and best ways to see results!
• When you stop working out, muscle gets replaced by fat: Muscle and fat serve two completely different purposes in the body, so if you were to ever stop working out, your muscle would not just get replaced by fat. If you stop working out, your muscles will likely get smaller, and you may gain weight if you are eating more calories than you are burning off. However, if you are nervous that beginning to work out means you can never stop or else you risk replacing your muscle with fat, then fear no more. It's simply not true.
• You'll get fat if you eat more than 3 meals a day: No way! Eating is less of an art form and more about basic math than you'd think. In reality, eating 3 meals equaling 1500 calories provides no additional benefits or concerns than eating 6 meals equaling 1500 calories. So, the idea that eating more than 3 meals will make you fat is just as false as the idea that eating 6 small meals will boost your metabolism. Eat when you feel hungry, keep it healthy, and try to aim for a caloric goal that a health professional establishes for you with your specific fitness and health goals in mind.
• Protein powder is just for dudes: Protein powder is a great way for women, who overwhelmingly tend to not get enough protein in their diets, to meet their macronutrient goals. Protein is important for building muscle, building and repairing tissue, making body chemicals, and much more. If you find yourself not getting enough protein in your diet, a protein powder is a great way to help supplement your diet for your needs.

Did any of these fitness myths surprise you? Let us know in the comment section below!