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Though I think there are a couple of myths making their way into this infographic’s mythbusting – namely, numbers 9 (metabolism low because of an 8-hr fast?), 4 (burning only carbs?) and 6 (muscle memory?) – I still thought there was some good info here. What about you?
Let me know, in the comments below, what kinds of fitness myths you’d like debunked! Maybe it’s time I did my own mythbusting….
12 comments
I liked the infographic. Lots of good information. My only peeve is the “muscle weighs more than fat” thing. A pound is a pound. A pound of lead is equal to a pound of feathers. Muscle is *denser* than fat. So a pound of muscle would take up less space than a pound of fat.
THANK YOU!! I was beginning to think I was the only one who could grasp this concept!! I have had this debate over and over. Weight and density are two completely different measurements. Even when I try using the pound of lead versus the pound of feathers, my staunch naysayers still hold firm to the belief that the feathers are lighter. In fact, it’s more difficult to carry a pound of feathers because of the mass is requires to get a pound of feathers, whereas the lead would be quite compact. But they don’t hear me tho. Lol. [Rant complete]
Thanks for the info about muscle weighing more because someone told me that pound for pound, muscle and fat weigh the same (?!). I don’t know how that’s possible or is it more complicated than that?
Ack…I glossed over that and, because I knew what it MEANT, I completely ignored it. I used to say this the wrong way, too….but then I realized the right way to say what I meant and never even think to correct people.
If you have a 1″ wide, 1″ long and 1″ tall cube of muscle sitting next to a 1″ by 1″ by 1″ cube of fat, the cube of muscle will weigh more… somewhere around 1.5 times more. A pound is a pound is a pound, whether it be of muscle or of fat. However, if you have a chunk of muscle and a chunk of fat, both being the same size, the muscle will weigh more.
Muscle, like the commenter said above, is far more dense.
Since we are on the topic of muscle weight, I have a quick question. If a person has been exercising and losing weight but only doing cardio then starts to incorporate weight lifting into her routine. With everything else staying the same as far as eating habits, does it make sense that the scale would go up a bit after adding weight lifting? Thanks in advance.
YES.
Thank you for addressing this so rationally. This- gaining muscle mass while losing fat mass (but making the scale jump a little) gave me a really bad go-round with my body image issues.
Seeing folks like you address it so matter-of-factly is such a help to those of us who struggle.
I would like the myth of “no pain no gain” to be debunked.
#3 has a little bit of myth built in too – 1 lb of fat is still 1 lb and 1 lb of muscle is still 1 lb – it doesn’t weigh more or less – it looks different – you can look slimmer and still weigh the same or more if you are building muscle, but a pound is a pound.
I do like several of these myth busters – especially the protein shake as MANY in the fitness field push these like they are water and air – I have found they are unnecessary
Serious question: so the protein shake is REALLY unnecessary?? I have read all the arguments in regard to WHICH ones are best/worse, ie whey vs soy vs vegan [I opted for whey] but my trainer AND nutritionist insist they are vital post workout. What I don’t understand is, I eat a meal post workout that ALWAYS includes protein so why should I need both. Still, they are the experts so I comply. Thoughts??
All I will tell you, is that no one who trains under me is drinking that stuff. Plain and simple.
I think its a gimmick that people buy into – the buzz is so compelling that fitness and health professionals get sucked in too – I quit using them back in June and actually did BETTER on my weight loss and muscle gain than I did when I drank them – they are added calories and didn’t fill me up the way everyone said they would – real food is much more nourishing.
I say this, if they are truly necessary, truly a can’t do without then how did our ancestors work and labor all day, heck how did athletes prior to them being pushed so much, all thrive and benefit without them??
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