Believe it or not, over 55% of Australians don’t meet the government’s fitness guidelines, but there are still many Aussies that do engage in regular physical exercise. However, if you spend a little time in your local gym lifting weights or getting some cardio in, you’ll soon be aware of a number of common fitness myths in circulation.
The good news is that OCA online learning can help to build your nutrition fitness knowledge for yourself or a fitness career - something we’ll cover at the end - but what we aim to do in this article is dispel some of the fitness and exercise myths and give you the actual truth.
When you listen to and believe certain myths, whether it be about body fat, resistance training, or how to build muscle faster, you make it harder to reach your goals. Plus, some falsehoods are dangerous, so it’s important to do things correctly.
Myth 1: Carbs are the Enemy
As you get to learn in Online Courses Australia’s nutrition and fitness courses, there’s more than one type of carbohydrates in existence, so the old adage ‘Carbs are the Enemy’ is somewhat wide of the mark. The right diet can lower your blood pressure and more, and carbohydrates are an essential part of any diet plan as a source of energy. Without them, you’ll feel very tired.
While fruits & veg are great, you still need carbs. You see, it’s not just in bread, pasta, and rice, as complex carbs also exist in peanuts, almonds, beans, peas, chickpeas, and more. The truth is, you just need to include more of the right carbs in your diet.
Myth 2 - You Need to Stay Away From Fats
To be healthy and get that six-pack, you need to stay away from fats altogether, right? Wrong. Your body needs the full array of fats which include trans fats, saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and monounsaturated fats. It’s the latter you should be aiming to include more of.
It’s correct that you should avoid saturated and trans fats when you can, but mono/polyunsaturated fats are very necessary for good health. Whether you’re a bodybuilder looking for muscle growth or engaging in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a calorie deficit, they’re still needed.
Myth 3: Skipping Meals Helps in Weight Loss
Another example of fitness misinformation comes with the tale that skipping meals is going to help you drop pounds. This is one of THE most common misconceptions about nutrition fitness, and your personal trainer will tell you so. Rather than making it easier, it creates a problem.
If your fitness goals include fat loss and building lean muscle, skipping meals will send your body into famine mode, making it hold onto fat longer by slowing its metabolism. For consistent weight loss, you should eat regular meals while restricting calories gradually - not by starving yourself.
Myth 4: Cardio is the Only Way to Burn Fat
When you experience weight gain, most people know that they need to get out and run, jog, walk, or engage in any form of physical activity. However, some people think that this is the only way to shed pounds when the truth is it’s not the only type of exercise that gets the job done.
When you build muscle mass through squats, bench pressing, and other forms of weight training, your metabolic rate rises, which makes it easier for you to burn calories. Strength training burns fat to repair the muscle, too, especially when you’re recovering from training-related soreness.
Myth 5: Eating After 8 PM Leads to Weight Gain
Another of the untruths relating to health wellness is that you shouldn’t eat after 8 pm, as it will cause you to gain pounds. However, this is based on the false assumption that the body can’t metabolise food during sleep. However, do some research, and you’ll find no such thing written!
In truth, the body is very able to do so while you’re asleep, as all of its functions to keep you alive need to keep going. Any energy left over during the night will just sit in reserve for tomorrow!
Myth 6: Liposuction as the Ultimate Fat Removal Solution
There's a prevailing belief that liposuction offers a permanent fix for stubborn fat. While it's true that liposuction can remove targeted fat cells, it's not a comprehensive solution on its own. Understanding the nuances of fat removal is crucial for informed decision-making.
Liposuction selectively removes fat cells from specific areas, providing noticeable contouring effects. However, it's essential to recognize that maintaining a healthy lifestyle post-procedure is paramount. While liposuction can permanently reduce fat in treated areas, it doesn't prevent new fat cell development elsewhere, nor does it replace healthy habits like proper nutrition and regular exercise.
Boosting Your Nutrition Fitness Knowledge With OCA Online Learning
So, if you want to improve your nutrition fitness knowledge for personal reasons or to start your fitness career, OCA CPD-endorsed online nutrition fitness training offers the easiest and most affordable way to learn. Offered via short, easily-digested, highly-stimulating video modules, it’s no wonder that more and more people are choosing short courses online for upskilling.
To find out more about what’s great about learning with Online Courses Australia, watch our Student Study Demo, which highlights what a well-supported (through 1-to-1 mentoring and more) and stimulating experience is on offer. However, to view our full course library spanning 20+ industries, visit us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au.
Alternatively, to speak to our friendly team about enrolling in our nutrition fitness courses or anything else, simply call 1300 611 404 or email us at [email protected].
