Fitness Myths I Believed at First… And What’s Really True

Alright, let’s talk fitness myths. We’ve all heard them, maybe even believed some of them—I know I did! 😒 After trying almost every workout and fitness “hack” out there (at least that's how I feel after more than 10 years of experimenting), here are my thoughts on what’s real, what’s nonsense, and what actually works.

Myth #1: "You Have to Work Out Every Day to See Results"

Okay, confession: I am so ashamed, but I still fall for this one sometimes! There’s that little voice that says, “If I don’t work out every day, I’ll lose progress.” Or my favorite - "If I work out every day, I will see the result faster!". 

But the truth is, your body needs rest just as much as it needs movement. I learned (and keep re-learning) that going all out every day doesn’t speed things up—it actually leads to burnout and sometimes even injuries. 

So, what really works? 

A solid mix of workout days and rest days to give your muscles time to recover and grow. And for strength days, adjustable dumbbells (if you prefer to work out at home as I did for a very long time) are a lifesaver - they let me switch up the weight depending on my energy and keep things fun! 

                      

I've been loving the UNNMIIY Adjustable Dumbbell Set. It's not just a pair of dumbbells; it's a 4-in-1 set that transforms into a barbell, kettlebell, and even push-up stands. The set includes a connector rod, allowing you to combine the dumbbells into a barbell, which is perfect for squats and bench presses. WHICH IS AMAZING for home workouts. It's literally like having a mini gym at home for such a good price! 👌Also it has smooth surface doesn’t damage the floor. 

Myth #2: "Only Cardio Helps You Lose Weight"

Been there, believed that as well! And guess what - the fact that I abused doing cardio, made me HATE, HATE, HATE it!!! Cardio is great for heart health and burns calories, but it’s not the only thing that helps with weight loss. 

I realized that strength training played a massive role in my journey, boosting my metabolism and helping me tone up. So, PLEASE, don’t skip the weights! If you’re starting, resistance bands are amazing for strength exercises and a super affordable option. They’re easy to use anywhere, and they add that extra burn to every move. Here’s a set I love.

                                   

Myth #3: "Lifting Weights Will Make You Bulky"

At least for this one, I got lucky! Thank goodness I had men around me who explained the truth about lifting weights early on, so I managed to educate myself in time. But I know so many of my girlfriends who fell for this myth, too. They were afraid of bulking up big time. :(( 

The reality? Building visible muscle takes way more than just lifting weights a few times a week. Lifting won’t magically turn you into a bodybuilder; instead, it’ll help you get stronger, feel amazing, and see that toned look we all love. 

Myth #5: "Crunches Will Give You Abs"

Let’s set this one straight—doing a million crunches won’t give you abs. 😒😅 Abs are a mix of core strength and body fat percentage, so it’s about overall fitness, not endless crunches. A balanced routine that combines cardio, strength training, and core exercises is way more effective.

And when I want to level up my core days, core sliders are AMAZING. They add an extra challenge to planks and other core moves, and you can use them on any surface. And they are super cheap!  

Get them here.

So, that’s my take on some of the biggest fitness myths out there! Now I’m curious - what myths have you fallen for? Have any fitness “rules” held you back? Let me know in the comments!