There are lots of myths and remedies focused around physical activity, lifting weights, exercising, and dieting out there. How are you supposed to know what to try and is it true? Well, I am hoping this post will maybe answer some of those questions that you may (or may not) have or things that you have thought about that you think might be nice to know. So I am going to be touching on a few of the things that I personally had questions, doubts, etc. about and I am posting this by experience only! This is my personal opinion, and I am just stating those things that I have already tried, done or am in the process of doing.
I'm going to start with the thing that I think is the "trendiest" on the list, and that is BODY WRAPS. (I know they have been around for years and years, so why so popular today?) What are they? Do they work? What's all the hype about them? Are they worth the money? I have to be completely honest. I was looking for an easy way to lose the last bit of weight that I wanted to lose without working for it so I got wrapped. I did a lot of research beforehand and was pretty skeptical about it. How does it work? Basically, you choose a wrap depending on what you want. Do you want to lose weight? Inches? Cellulite? Or maybe you just want to get moisturized or detoxed. You get a specific wrap with special (mostly herbal) ingredients that claim to target that key area you want fixed, it is applied to said area, and after 45 min or so you remove the wrap and voila! Does it work? In my experience (the one and only time I tried it), I didn't feel any different, nor did I get any staggering results as was promised. That is not to say that it won't work for anyone, but I don't believe that getting wrapped will give you true, lasting results. Friends that I have talked to who have or have had body wraps done, say that you have to keep doing them in order to keep the inches down, which in my opinion is only keeping the water weight (in other words the bloating) down. So, are they worth the cost? I think if you want a quick fix and you're not expecting lasting results, then sure. Always be wary of any quick fix that promises lasting results.
One topic that even I had been misinformed about is WEIGHT LIFTING. When you think about lifting weights, the first thing that goes through your mind is probably, very muscular, buff men or women. I personally have always liked lifting, although I never did it on a consistent basis until a few months ago because I didn't want to look like a man. Seriously! But, did you know that the hormone that causes muscles to become big when you lift is testosterone? And did you know that men have a significant higher amount of that hormone than females? Which means, unless you are taking in an extra (significant extra) amount of testosterone or steroids, if you're a female lifter you're not going to end up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger! And lifting weights is a great way to lose weight while getting toned and it works the muscles you use everyday. Good news, right?! I thought so too. Get lifting ladies!
Okay, what about DIET PILLS or DIET SUPPLEMENTS? A couple of months after the birth of my second child, my very kind, generous, loving husband came home from work one day with a bottle of diet pills for me. I had been complaining how I was so tired and I needed motivation to workout and yada, yada, yada...so that's why he bought them. (He really is a good-hearted man and I love him to pieces!) The following morning I took one and waited for about half an hour before I started feeling the effects. Boy, was I moving that day. The pills suppressed my appetite and gave me energy so I continued taking them. They seemed okay and they did help for awhile. However, after about three weeks I was finding that I had to take more and more to keep the same energy level I had when I first started taking them. I was becoming immune to them and by the end of the second week, instead of giving me tons of energy, they were dragging me down and making me really tired unless I took more than the dosage said to. So I stopped taking them and then got the worst headache that I have ever had for a whole week. True story. Why do I tell you this? Because while I believe that it is okay to use certain things as "jump-starters", I know how easy it can be to let that thing become your crutch. What you should be aiming for is a whole lifestyle change. Honestly, a cup of coffee gives me as much energy as one of those pills. It doesn't suppress my appetite, but you have to practice self-control somehow. And if you eat healthy, drink enough water, and exercise, your energy levels are naturally going to go up. And your immune system will love you more!
I know there are so many "cures" and remedies and myths out there about what you should and shouldn't do, or what is or isn't healthy so hopefully this was helpful. What is something that you have wanted to try but not sure if you should or not? Always feel free to comment, and as always, Happy Workout!
