Read time: 4.5 min
Since I left the finance industry and entered the wellness world I had many discussions with friends and family about health and fitness.
It struck me how many of my loved ones were struggling to get in shape, despite their efforts 😳
Diving deeper into these conversations, I discovered the root cause of their frustration -
false beliefs and misconceptions about fitness, built over years of misinformation 🤦♂️
Unfortunately, my loved once are not alone...most people stuck in a cycle of misinformation, fad diets, deceptive marketing, and unrealistic expectations 🔁
The main point they all missing is that fitness is NOT just about losing weight or looking a certain way...It's about embracing a healthy, sustainable lifestyle that aligns with who you want to be.
So, in this newsletter I’ll debunk these misconceptions and provide you with the right roadmap for your fitness journey.
Here are 8 things you need to know before getting in shape:
#1 It’s gonna take longer than you think
We’ve all been enticed by those "Lose 10 pounds in 10 days" type of advertisements 📢
Sorry to burst the bubble, but true, sustainable weight loss takes time.
Crash diets and rapid loss often lead to rebound weight gain.
Instead, focus on slow, steady progress, creating healthy habits that last a lifetime.
#2 Stop focusing on losing weight
Society has conditioned us to obsess over the scale ⚖️
The truth? The scale doesn’t measure health, happiness, or fitness level.
Instead, shift your focus towards feeling good, gaining strength, and improving overall health.
Credit: @laurapatt_fit
FYI: muscle tissue is more dense and weight more than fat tissue. That’s why the looking at the scale won’t tell the entire story 💪
#3 Your goal body is the destination. Your lifestyle is the way
Begin by picturing the body or fitness level you aspire to attain 🖼️
Reflect on the lifestyle choices that someone with this physique might make:
- how they'd exercise
- what they'd eat
- their recovery routines
To make this vision a reality, start infusing such practices into your daily life.
These consistent habits are the route to your destination, the embodiment of your goal 🎯
#4 Your identity has to change
A lot of us believe we're "trying" to be healthier or fitter.
However, this mindset often keeps us stuck in our old habits.
The real transformation happens when you start believing that you ARE a healthy, active person.
You're not trying to change; you are living the change.
#5 Resistance training over cardio
The belief that cardio is the holy grail of fat loss is ingrained in many of us 🏃♀️
But let’s face it, it's a half-truth.
Resistance training helps build muscle, which in turn boosts metabolism and fat-burning even while you rest (and sleep) 🏋️♂️
Cardio has its place, but resistance training will give you long lasting results.
#6 Fitness is a marathon, not a sprint
Ever felt like you need to workout hard every single day to get results?
Here’s a little secret: consistency beats intensity 🤫
Being fit is a lifelong commitment, not a momentary achievement.
It's essential to establish a sustainable workout regimen and dietary habits you can stick to in the long run, rather than opting for fad diets or exhaustive exercise.
#7 Your nutrition will define your results
It’s tempting to believe that we can eat anything we want as long as we're working out 🧁
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you can't out-exercise a bad diet.
Proper nutrition and balanced meals are the foundation of any successful fitness journey.
Here's an example of how a plate should look like if you want to maximize your results 👇
Source: Precision Nutrition
#8 You can’t spot reduce your belly fat away
Wouldn't it be lovely to decide where you lose weight from first?
Unfortunately, our bodies don't work that way.
No amount of crunches will melt away belly fat if it’s not coupled with overall fat loss.
The focus should be on reducing body fat as a whole through nutrition.
In summary
There you have it, friends! The not-so-secret truths about getting into shape.
Now, armed with these insights, you can embark on your fitness journey with confidence, knowing you’re equipped to achieve lasting results.
