Seven exercise myths

JoDeen Hettenbach is the manager of Dean’s Comprehensive Weight Management program, but her real title might just be Total Inspiration Provider.

Almost every magazine we open seems to have another quick fix for how to lose weight: A new diet, a new piece of exercise equipment, a wacky approach involving way too much grapefruit, or how much you need to sweat at the gym. With this constant barrage of information (and misinformation), there are many myths out there about what works.

Front and center is exercise and its role in weight loss. Take this quick true/false quiz to see if you have been harboring any of these misconceptions. You may be surprised! Ready to start?

1. True or False: No pain, no gain.
False. Exercising to the point of discomfort can signal bone, joint and muscle injury. Is it hard work? Yes. But it shouldn’t hurt.

2. True or False: Drinking liquids while exercising causes cramps.
False. The cramping often seen during exercise usually means the exact opposite: You need water!

3. True or False: You can “sweat” the weight off.
False. Perspiration loss during exercise can account for some temporary weight loss. But don’t be fooled–it will be “regained” with the first glass of water you drink. So while the benefits of exercise do promote weight loss, remember that an immediate weight loss of a pound or two is probably just water.

4. True or False: Exercise makes you hungry.
False. Moderate activity will not increase your appetite. In fact, exercise fuels feelings of control and accomplishment. Additionally, when you’re exercising, you’re not near the fridge!

5. True or False: Spot reduction eliminates fat deposits in problem areas.
False. Spot reduction can tone and firm an area to make it look thinner, but overall exercise is what helps the most. If there’s excess fat in a particular area, it will never look as firm as you want with spot exercise alone. Still, if you have toned to the best of your ability and still have problems areas you’d like to fix, Dean’s Aesthetic Surgery Center can help.

6. True or False: Cellulite is not the same as other fat.
False. Fat by any other name is still fat! While it’s true that some areas of the body are more resistant to fat loss than others, no shortcut methods will reduce or eliminate the dimpled, fatty deposits called cellulite. The only way to shed these fat cells is through the same program of diet and exercise you’re using for general weight reduction.

7. True or False: Your scale is the best measure of your exercise program.
False. When you exercise, your body’s lean muscle tissue increases while lighter fat tissue decreases. The result is a timeless paradox: “I started exercising, so why haven’t I lost any weight yet?” When you understand that muscle weighs more than fat, you’ll know why you may even gain a pound or two when you start an exercise program. Instead of only using the scale, measure your success by evaluating the decreases in your fat tissue. We can help you monitor your body fat reduction as part of our Comprehensive Weight Management Program.

With all the good and bad information out there, it’s no wonder so many people are confused about exercise and weight loss progress. If you’re ever in doubt about the latest fad diet, exercise equipment, eating habits, or anything that affects your diet and exercise plan, consult with an expert at Dean’s Comprehensive Weight Management Program.