I must start this article off by stating that I am NO expert. I grew up dancing and love working out, but have absolutely zero qualifications when it comes to talking about fitness and health.

That said, I’m going to write an article telling you everything you’re doing wrong when it comes to your fitness and health. I kid, I kid, but I do want to share some surprising fitness lessons I’ve learned along the way. From listening to fitness and health-focused podcasts to working at a gym and being surrounded by personal trainers, I’ve learned that frankly, I’m doing a lot wrong.

Here are some of the biggest myths when it comes to fitness and health that I too once believed, and why they are nonsense!

Cardio is the most effective workout

I used to think that if I wasn’t sweating, then the workout wasn’t really worth it. I’ve learned that this is totally not true.

Spin and running on the treadmill, as examples, are great for your cardiovascular health; and for that reason are important. However, it’s also important to do a mix of weight-lifting and cardio training if you are really hoping to transform your body and stay healthy even into your old-ass age. We shouldn’t be working out to lose weight – we should be working out to be healthy – but, as many people ARE hoping to lose weight in our society, weight-training is the way to do that, NOT cardio.

So, sweat does not equal success, despite whatever message those Nike commercials are trying to leak into our subconscious! We’re onto you.

I’m going to get bulky from lifting weights

Get over yourself. Lifting heavy weights will not suddenly turn you into Hulk Hogan.

I’ve learned that lifting weights will tone your body and also help you burn fat throughout the day; whereas with cardio, once you’re done, you’re done. It’s not doing anything for you throughout the rest of your lazy-ass day. Also, lifting weights is super important for women – it helps strengthen our bones and, like, we need those bones even when we’re 80 years old.

All in all, lifting weights will keep us strong, tone our bodies, and help us burn fat. Lifting weights can be intimidating for sure, but once you get over the hump and do it just ONCE, you’ll be the new weight-lifting kween of the gym. I just know it!!

Working out excessively is the best way to lose weight

I’m probably dumb for not figuring this out sooner, but I’ve learned that losing weight mostly has to do with what you eat, NOT how many miles you run on the treadmill. Workout all you want, but you won’t slim down much if you’re eating unhealthy and in excess.

This, for me, is a BUMMER to hear as I love food and also love working out. Wouldn’t life be perfect if I could continue to eat everything and my 45-minute workout still cured all? Well, nothing in life is easy and I guess I need to cut my portions in half if I really want to lose weight.

Of course, we should all still work out for important reasons like heart health and quality of life. But if losing weight is the goal, there’s no cutting corners when it comes to what you eat. :(

Carbs are bad

Of course, if you want to look like a Victoria’s Secret model, then yes, you gotta lay off the bread. But for the rest of us normal people, eating carbs ain’t so freaking bad as Keto and all of these other ridiculous fad diets are trying to tell us. A Registered Dietician once told me to just eat the damn bread, and once I did, I stopped craving it (what a concept) and also stopped bingeing it all night long as a result.

This concept really goes for anything – desserts, candy, you name it! Stop telling yourself you can’t have it; because once you start being a little more friendly to yourself and allow yourself to indulge, you’ll stop putting all of these foods on a pedestal, start being able to trust your intuition that much more, and just LIVE!