Fitness and Diet Myths for Women

The field of fitness is connected with exercise and diet myths - bits of misinformation and half truths that people cling to like life vests after a shipwreck.

Understanding the truth behind these exercise and diet myths will go a long way towards helping you to figure out what really works. Although there are several, if not hundreds of myths, here are the top five most commonly held exercise and diet myths that will keep you from your fitness goals:

Myth No. 1: I need exercises to work my 'lower abs' and reduce my pot belly.

Myth No. 2: You can lose weight by dieting.

Myth No. 3: The best time to exercise is early in the morning.

Myth No. 4: Food eaten after 8 p.m. will turn into body fat

Myth No. 5: Your metabolism slows down once you hit 30.

Now that you've seen the exercise and diet myths, here are the truths:

Truth No. 1: I need special exercises to reduce my pot belly.

Spot reduction simply doesn't work. To get rid of a pot belly you have to lose body fat and strengthen the underlying muscles. This is true for any part of the body - butts, thighs, hips and abs. Controlling these body parts also takes discipline in the kitchen, where eating a healthy diet is key for losing body fat and staying lean.

Truth No. 2: You can lose weight by dieting.

This sounds like a trick question, but it's actually not. Researchers have found that one of the most accurate predictors of future weight gain is dieting - those who diet end up putting on weight over 85% of the time. Rather than dieting, aim to eat a healthy mix of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, and start an exercise program. You'll lose weight and keep it off.

Truth No. 3: The best time to exercise is early in the morning.

While it's true that morning workouts give your metabolism a boost at the start of the day, some people hate early morning workouts. Ultimately, the best time to exercise is the time you enjoy - you're much more likely to stick at it if you enjoy your workouts.

Truth No. 4: Food eaten after 8 p.m. will turn into body fat.

The basic equation of weight loss is simple - take in more calories than you burn, and you gain weight; take in less calories than you burn and you'll lose weight. When you eat them is irrelevant. Having said that, you're better off eating small regular meals throughout the day instead of fasting all day then gorging in the evening.

Truth No. 5: Your metabolism slows down once you hit 30.

This is both true and false. Your metabolism (the rate at which you burn calories) does begin to slow down once you pass 30, but you don't have to let it impact your waistline. Vigorous exercise, in particular resistance training and intervals, will speed up your metabolism, and more than make up for any effects of the aging process. Aging is mostly about what you do and don't do in regards to exercise and nutrition, not about how old you are.

So keep these points in mind. You can make dramatic improvements in your overall fitness and diet if you stay away from buying magazines at the grocery store checkout counter, or pulling out your credit card to buy the next diet advertised on television. Instead of feeling bad about your current state of fitness, follow the above five exercise and diet "truths" and get started on turning your overall level of health around today.