| What you eat is as important as your workouts when | | | | deplete the glycogen stores in your muscles. When |
| you're trying to get in shape, stay in shape or lose | | | | that happens, your muscles can't work as hard and |
| weight. The right nutrients dramatically affect the way | | | | you'll start to feel weak. It also leads to muscle loss, |
| your body performs, so healthy eating is a key to your | | | | which is never a good thing. Bottom line - you need to |
| overall fitness. That being said, there are a lot of myths | | | | eat carbohydrates. |
| about healthy eating. Here are a few to consider. | | | | 5. If you exercise you can eat what you want. |
| 1. You can work out on an empty stomach | | | | This is also false. You still have to burn the calories you |
| This is false. If your tummy is rumbling through a | | | | eat. If you work out and then go out for a |
| workout, you're not giving your body fuel to burn. Many | | | | cheeseburger and shake, you just wasted your |
| people think this means your body will run off your fat | | | | workout and then some. Whatever goes in has to be |
| stores. What this may turn into is not enough energy to | | | | burned off or it turns into fat regardless of how much |
| get through your workout or get the most out of it. For | | | | you're working out. Use fitness to splurge occasionally, |
| best results, have a small snack 2-3 hours before you | | | | but it does not give you a free pass at the buffet |
| work out. Also, don't work out on a full stomach. If you | | | | everyday. |
| do a high intensity workout, you also won't have the | | | | 6. Decreasing calories is the best way to lose weight. |
| fuel to work out. Your body will divert energy to your | | | | While you do need to decrease calories and increase |
| stomach to help it digest a big meal instead of sending | | | | activity to lose weight, you don't want to restrict your |
| it to your muscles to keep you going. | | | | calories too much. If you do, your body will think its |
| 2. Energy bars and drinks are a good way to boost | | | | starving and will slow your metabolism down to use |
| energy | | | | what little fuel you are giving it. While you may lose |
| This is also not true. You may get an initial boost from | | | | some weight, this is what also leads to yo-yo dieting. |
| the caffeine, however most of these drinks and bars | | | | That in turn can really mess up your metabolism. |
| are high in sugar. You'll end up crashing because of | | | | 7. Skip soda and alcohol |
| that. Energy bars and drinks are fine every once in a | | | | True! These are just empty calories with no nutritional |
| while, but you should focus on eating healthy fruits and | | | | value. There is no reason to put something in your |
| vegetables instead. An overall balanced diet will give | | | | body that it can't use. Plain water is still the best way |
| you all the energy you need. | | | | to hydrate your body. You can add lemon or lemon |
| 3. Skip breakfast | | | | juice to add to the flavor. Soon you'll find that's really all |
| You should never skip breakfast since your body | | | | you want. Also, make sure you drink water all day. |
| needs fuel to start the day. At night, everything slows | | | | Don't wait until you're thirsty. By then your body is |
| down and your stomach empties from the night | | | | already dehydrating. |
| before. In a sense, your body is fasting. You need a | | | | Changing your eating habits is not easy. The theory is |
| meal at the beginning of the day to break that fast. | | | | that it takes at least 3 months to establish a new habit |
| (Incidentally, that is where the name comes from - | | | | or routine. Don't take on everything at once or you |
| break fast.) In addition, eating within an hour of waking | | | | won't stick to anything. Add 1-2 changes at a time, get |
| up actually jump starts your metabolism for the day. | | | | comfortable with them and then add 1-2 more. Soon |
| That is another important reason not to skip this meal. | | | | you'll be eating healthier in no time and feeling better |
| 4. Low carb diets are healthy | | | | too. And remember - just because you're eating |
| Your body needs carbohydrates to fuel your muscles. | | | | healthy doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself. |
| Very low carb diets can actually be unhealthy - | | | | Reward yourself once a week with one splurge. |
| particularly if you are working out or you're very active. | | | | There are also a ton of great, healthy, flavorful recipes |
| If you're not giving your body the fuel it needs to run, it | | | | out there so use this as a chance to experiment in |
| will turn to your fat stores but your body is not | | | | your kitchen. |
| designed to run without carbs. Low carb diets actually | | | | |