There’s a lot of information out there about physical health. Some of it is accurate, and some of it is not. It can be hard to know what to believe and what to ignore. This article will dispel some of the most common myths about physical health so that you can separate fact from fiction.
Myth #1: You shouldn’t eat after 7 pm
This is one of the most common myths about physical health. The rationale is that consuming later prevents your body from torching the calories before you sleep. As a result, you will gain weight. However, this myth is not based on any scientific evidence. In fact, more recent research has suggested that your body doesn’t metabolize food differently depending on the time of day. Your body burns calories at the same rate whether you eat at 7 am or 7 pm. Thus, it is not necessary to avoid eating late at night. What’s more integral is ensuring you get enough nutrient-rich foods throughout the day to support your health and fitness goals.
Myth #2: Sugar is only bad for your blood sugar levels
Sugar has become the number one public enemy in recent years. However, it’s not just because of its impact on blood sugar levels. Sugar is also a significant contributor to obesity, heart disease, and tooth decay. So if you’re trying to improve your physical health, cutting back on sugar is an excellent place to start.
Also, sugar is entirely detrimental to your dental health as well. Excess sugar consumption is one of the primary causes of tooth decay. Sugar not only promotes cavities but weakens tooth enamel. Undoubtedly, when tooth enamel is damaged, it, unfortunately, provides a place for bacteria to fester and cause cavities. Once you visit the dentist, they may suggest dental implants if the decay is too severe. This is because dental implants are the only solution that can give you back your natural tooth. Other solutions include wearing a dental bridge or getting dentures.
Myth #3: Crunches are the best exercise for flat abs
If you want to achieve flat abs, you must do crunches—or so the myth goes. In reality, crunches are not the best exercise for flat abs. In fact, they are not even practical exercises for targeting your abdominal muscles. Crunches only work the rectus abdominis, which is the muscle that gives you a “six-pack.” To get flat abs, you need to target all the muscles in your core, including the transverse abdominis, which is the muscle that wraps around your waist and gives
If you want toned abs, focus on exercises that work your entire core, such as planks and Pilates exercises. Also, resistance training, such as weightlifting, can help you build muscle and burn fat, both of which are essential for toned abs.
Myth #4: You need to sweat for a workout to be effective
This is another popular exercise myth. The idea is that if you don’t sweat during a workout, you must not be working hard enough. However, sweating does not necessarily indicate how hard you are working. Some people sweat more than others due to genetics and other factors beyond their control. Sweat is an inaccurate basis because people can have different thresholds for sweating.
A better indicator of how hard you are working is your heart rate. You can measure your heart rate by using a monitor or by taking your pulse. A general guideline is that you should aim to keep your heart rate at 50-85% of your maximum heart rate. The bottom line is that as long as you are working at a level that feels challenging for you, then your workout is effective—sweaty or not.
Myth #5: You can target fat loss in specific areas of your body
If you want to lose fat in your arms or thighs, all you need to do is focus your workouts on those areas—right? Wrong! It’s impossible to target fat loss in specific areas of your body through exercise alone. When you lose fat, it comes off evenly from all over your body—not just from the areas where you happen to be working out at the time!
You may have heard the saying, “You can’t spot fat reduce.” This is because there’s no such thing as spot fat reduction. The only way to lose fat in a specific area is through a combination of diet and exercise which results in weight loss.
Final Thoughts
Now that this article debunked some of the most common myths about physical health, hopefully, you feel more equipped to separate fact from fiction when it comes to taking care of your body! Remember that physical health is just as important as mental health, so make sure to prioritize it in your life. Creating and following a healthy lifestyle can be daunting, but it’s worth it when you feel your best!
