Top 10 Weight Loss and Fitness Myths
WARNING: Don't weight train until after you've lost weight!
No, no, please don't believe that headline! That's one of the many myths associated with weight loss and fitness. If you're interested in losing weight and getting fit as quickly as possible, don't let these myths throw you off track:
Myth #1 - Some fancy exercise machine-of-the-month burns more calories than any other exercise.
FACT - One thing that many people seem to be confused about is how many calories are expended during different types of exercise. For example, I receive lots of questions regarding how many calories are burned with fancy exercise machines or certain unusual exercises that are supposed to burn lots of calories.
Don't be fooled by this stuff! Here's the bottom line - caloric expenditure is directly related to the amount of effort an activity requires. In general, the more difficult it feels, the more calories you burn. The easier it feels,
the fewer calories you burn.
That's it! I don't care how fancy or expensive the equipment is, the harder you work the more calories you burn.
Myth #2 - Weight training with free weights is much more effective than with machines.
FACT - For the purposes of general fitness, muscle toning, and weight loss, it doesn't matter. My suggestion is to do whichever you are most comfortable with and are most likely to do on a regular basis.
Myth #3 - Low intensity exercise puts you in the "fat burning zone" and is ideal for weight loss.
FACT - The "fat burning zone" doesn't matter. Here's how it got started. Your body is always "burning" a mixture of carbohydrates and fat for fuel. This mixture tends to contain a little more fat during lower intensity exercise.
Somebody took this to mean that a lower intensity workout was best for losing weight.. not so!
It all comes from the same "pot". It doesn't matter if you're burning a little more fat or a little more carbohydrate at any particular time in your fuel mix. It all comes from the same calorie pool. The bottom line is, how many calories are you burning. With higher intensity exercise you're burning more calories.
Myth #4 - Exercising for 30 minutes two to three times per week is sufficient for weight loss.
FACT - That's better than doing nothing but it's not optimal. I firmly believe our bodies are designed to be active daily. When we exercise daily we are healthier, leaner, more energetic, and the list goes on and on.
Also, daily exercise boosts your metabolism like nothing else can. I recommend working up to 30 to 60 minutes of daily aerobic exercise and three days of weight training per week.
Myth #5 - You can lose fat from a specific part of your body by doing an exercise for that part of your body. For example, abdominal crunches will remove fat from your abdominal area.
FACT - You can't spot reduce! You cannot control where fat is removed from your body.
Myth #6 - You can't lose weight.
FACT - You CAN lose weight but it often happens much slower than you'd like it to. Believing that you CAN lose weight is critical to making it happen. Realize that if you are
consistently doing the right things, it will happen. Don't get side-tracked by every new crazy diet or exercise gizmo.
Myth #7 - You shouldn't start weight training until you've lost most of the weight you want to lose because it will slow down your fat loss, or trap your fat in the muscle, or who knows what else.
FACT - Weight training is VITAL to a weight loss program because it turns up the metabolic fires that burn calories -and it tones your muscles. You should start weight training immediately.
Myth #8 - You burn more fat if you exercise on an empty stomach.
FACT - Exercising on an empty stomach does not affect how you lose weight. In fact, it may hinder it if you don't have the energy to exercise. Eating or not eating before exercise should strictly be a matter of personal preference.
Myth #9 - You should always do your weight training just before your aerobic exercise session because you burn more fat that way. I've even heard that you should weight train, eat two raw carrots, and then do your aerobic exercise.
FACT - The order in which you exercise does not affect how you lose weight. I always recommend weight training just after your aerobic exercise (such as walking) simply because your muscles are warm and supple and much less prone to injuries.
Myth #10 - You'll burn more calories jogging a mile than walking a mile.
FACT - Caloric expenditure is 62 calories per 100 pounds body weight per mile traveled (walked or jogged). For example, if you weight 150 pounds, you expend 93 calories per mile walked or jogged (62 x 1.5). Of course, if you're jogging, you'll cover the distance in less time than if you're walking. Thus, you'll burn more calories in a given period of time if you're jogging.
Get movin'! :)
About the author:
Author and exercise physiologist, Greg Landry, offers free, unique, weight loss and fitness articles and his "Fast and Healthy Weight Loss" Newsletter at his site.. http://www.Landry.com
How to Prevent Tonsil Stones (and Why They Cause Bad Breath)Dr. Harold KatzTonsil stones can create a condition known as Halitosis, which is a stubborn bad breath and taste disorder many people suffer from.
Tonsil stones, also called tonsilloliths, are those nasty whitish/yellow colored, foul-smelling, lumps on your tonsils. These tonsil stones are caused by an accumulation of sulfur-producing bacteria and debris that becomes lodged in the tonsils. This debris, which includes mucous from post nasal drip, putrifies in the back of your throat, and collects in what are called the tonsil crypts. These tonsil crypts are small divots or pockets which appear on the surface of the tonsils, in which the tonsil stones may accumulate.
When this debris combines with volatile sulfur compounds (VSC's) which are produced by the anaerobic bacteria beneath the surface of your tongue, along with the tonsil stones, you develop the condition known as Halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath!
Now, if you do not have your tonsils, then you will NOT (except for rare exceptions) experience tonsil stones. However, I am NOT saying that you should run out and get your tonsils removed. As we get older, tonsillectomies become increasingly dangerous. Aside from that, even if you have your tonsils removed, you will most likely still have bad breath. Why is that?
The sulfur producing bacteria breeding beneath the surface of your tongue, integral to the creation of those tonsil stones, are the most likely candidates to cause bad breath! So, even if you have your tonsils removed, unless you remove or hinder those anaerobic bad breath causing bacteria, your friends may still exhibit those tell-tale signs that you have bad breath!
Fortunately, getting rid of tonsil stones without surgery, is not that difficult...
There are a few select products that I recommend you use that will effectively eliminate tonsil stones without unnecessary surgery. What you need is something that will neutralize the anaerobic sulfur-producing bacteria on contact. For this I recommend a simple combination of AktivOxigen Tablets, Nasal Sinus Drops, and an occasional use of an Oxygenating Spray (http://www.therabreath.com/docs/tonsilstones.asp).
Keep in mind that following a regimen of using oxygenating oral care products, like toothpastes and mouthwashes, along with a tongue scraper, which effectively neutralizes the anaerobic bad breath causing bacteria from the very back of the tongue, will produce optimal results - stopping tonsil stones from ever forming again! Based on clinical tests conducted at the California Breath Clinics located in San Francisco and Los Angeles, most people following this formula reported a significant reduction or complete elimination of tonsil stones.
About the author:
Dr. Harold Katz is the worldwide expert on the topics of Halitosis and bad breath. Grab your FREE copy of his "Bad Breath Bible" to learn more about Halitosis and preventing bad breath by visiting: http://www.therabreath.com/web/art/l/tnssts.asp
No, no, please don't believe that headline! That's one of the many myths associated with weight loss and fitness. If you're interested in losing weight and getting fit as quickly as possible, don't let these myths throw you off track:
Myth #1 - Some fancy exercise machine-of-the-month burns more calories than any other exercise.
FACT - One thing that many people seem to be confused about is how many calories are expended during different types of exercise. For example, I receive lots of questions regarding how many calories are burned with fancy exercise machines or certain unusual exercises that are supposed to burn lots of calories.
Don't be fooled by this stuff! Here's the bottom line - caloric expenditure is directly related to the amount of effort an activity requires. In general, the more difficult it feels, the more calories you burn. The easier it feels,
the fewer calories you burn.
That's it! I don't care how fancy or expensive the equipment is, the harder you work the more calories you burn.
Myth #2 - Weight training with free weights is much more effective than with machines.
FACT - For the purposes of general fitness, muscle toning, and weight loss, it doesn't matter. My suggestion is to do whichever you are most comfortable with and are most likely to do on a regular basis.
Myth #3 - Low intensity exercise puts you in the "fat burning zone" and is ideal for weight loss.
FACT - The "fat burning zone" doesn't matter. Here's how it got started. Your body is always "burning" a mixture of carbohydrates and fat for fuel. This mixture tends to contain a little more fat during lower intensity exercise.
Somebody took this to mean that a lower intensity workout was best for losing weight.. not so!
It all comes from the same "pot". It doesn't matter if you're burning a little more fat or a little more carbohydrate at any particular time in your fuel mix. It all comes from the same calorie pool. The bottom line is, how many calories are you burning. With higher intensity exercise you're burning more calories.
Myth #4 - Exercising for 30 minutes two to three times per week is sufficient for weight loss.
FACT - That's better than doing nothing but it's not optimal. I firmly believe our bodies are designed to be active daily. When we exercise daily we are healthier, leaner, more energetic, and the list goes on and on.
Also, daily exercise boosts your metabolism like nothing else can. I recommend working up to 30 to 60 minutes of daily aerobic exercise and three days of weight training per week.
Myth #5 - You can lose fat from a specific part of your body by doing an exercise for that part of your body. For example, abdominal crunches will remove fat from your abdominal area.
FACT - You can't spot reduce! You cannot control where fat is removed from your body.
Myth #6 - You can't lose weight.
FACT - You CAN lose weight but it often happens much slower than you'd like it to. Believing that you CAN lose weight is critical to making it happen. Realize that if you are
consistently doing the right things, it will happen. Don't get side-tracked by every new crazy diet or exercise gizmo.
Myth #7 - You shouldn't start weight training until you've lost most of the weight you want to lose because it will slow down your fat loss, or trap your fat in the muscle, or who knows what else.
FACT - Weight training is VITAL to a weight loss program because it turns up the metabolic fires that burn calories -and it tones your muscles. You should start weight training immediately.
Myth #8 - You burn more fat if you exercise on an empty stomach.
FACT - Exercising on an empty stomach does not affect how you lose weight. In fact, it may hinder it if you don't have the energy to exercise. Eating or not eating before exercise should strictly be a matter of personal preference.
Myth #9 - You should always do your weight training just before your aerobic exercise session because you burn more fat that way. I've even heard that you should weight train, eat two raw carrots, and then do your aerobic exercise.
FACT - The order in which you exercise does not affect how you lose weight. I always recommend weight training just after your aerobic exercise (such as walking) simply because your muscles are warm and supple and much less prone to injuries.
Myth #10 - You'll burn more calories jogging a mile than walking a mile.
FACT - Caloric expenditure is 62 calories per 100 pounds body weight per mile traveled (walked or jogged). For example, if you weight 150 pounds, you expend 93 calories per mile walked or jogged (62 x 1.5). Of course, if you're jogging, you'll cover the distance in less time than if you're walking. Thus, you'll burn more calories in a given period of time if you're jogging.
Get movin'! :)
About the author:
Author and exercise physiologist, Greg Landry, offers free, unique, weight loss and fitness articles and his "Fast and Healthy Weight Loss" Newsletter at his site.. http://www.Landry.com
How to Prevent Tonsil Stones (and Why They Cause Bad Breath)Dr. Harold KatzTonsil stones can create a condition known as Halitosis, which is a stubborn bad breath and taste disorder many people suffer from.
Tonsil stones, also called tonsilloliths, are those nasty whitish/yellow colored, foul-smelling, lumps on your tonsils. These tonsil stones are caused by an accumulation of sulfur-producing bacteria and debris that becomes lodged in the tonsils. This debris, which includes mucous from post nasal drip, putrifies in the back of your throat, and collects in what are called the tonsil crypts. These tonsil crypts are small divots or pockets which appear on the surface of the tonsils, in which the tonsil stones may accumulate.
When this debris combines with volatile sulfur compounds (VSC's) which are produced by the anaerobic bacteria beneath the surface of your tongue, along with the tonsil stones, you develop the condition known as Halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath!
Now, if you do not have your tonsils, then you will NOT (except for rare exceptions) experience tonsil stones. However, I am NOT saying that you should run out and get your tonsils removed. As we get older, tonsillectomies become increasingly dangerous. Aside from that, even if you have your tonsils removed, you will most likely still have bad breath. Why is that?
The sulfur producing bacteria breeding beneath the surface of your tongue, integral to the creation of those tonsil stones, are the most likely candidates to cause bad breath! So, even if you have your tonsils removed, unless you remove or hinder those anaerobic bad breath causing bacteria, your friends may still exhibit those tell-tale signs that you have bad breath!
Fortunately, getting rid of tonsil stones without surgery, is not that difficult...
There are a few select products that I recommend you use that will effectively eliminate tonsil stones without unnecessary surgery. What you need is something that will neutralize the anaerobic sulfur-producing bacteria on contact. For this I recommend a simple combination of AktivOxigen Tablets, Nasal Sinus Drops, and an occasional use of an Oxygenating Spray (http://www.therabreath.com/docs/tonsilstones.asp).
Keep in mind that following a regimen of using oxygenating oral care products, like toothpastes and mouthwashes, along with a tongue scraper, which effectively neutralizes the anaerobic bad breath causing bacteria from the very back of the tongue, will produce optimal results - stopping tonsil stones from ever forming again! Based on clinical tests conducted at the California Breath Clinics located in San Francisco and Los Angeles, most people following this formula reported a significant reduction or complete elimination of tonsil stones.
About the author:
Dr. Harold Katz is the worldwide expert on the topics of Halitosis and bad breath. Grab your FREE copy of his "Bad Breath Bible" to learn more about Halitosis and preventing bad breath by visiting: http://www.therabreath.com/web/art/l/tnssts.asp
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