Top 4 Fitness Mistakes

Let's be real. There is so much information on the internet in regards to health, it's hard to determine what is actual FACT and what is opinion and it's even harder to decide what is best for YOU! But, no matter what path you choose, make sure you don't make these four fitness mistakes! 1. Eating clean I hate this term. Yes, I really hate it. It is a term that has no true definition and is often conflicting. Clean eating essentially means you eat as little processed food as possible with no additives, pesticides, sugar substitutes, etc. The term "clean eating" gets thrown around a lot in the health industry and many people think just because you're eating "clean" you will lose weight and be healthy.That is definitely not the case. Eating clean DOES NOT equal weight loss. You can still overeat with "clean" foods meaning you can still GAIN weight with clean foods. What will equal weight/fat loss and provide increases in lean muscle is consuming the appropriate ratio of macronutrients! Sure, you can eat "clean" AND consume the correct ratio of macros but it will take a bit of extra thought and effort when meal planning.

2. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates tend to get a bad rap. For good reason right? They make you fat so you should probably limit as many carbs as possible. JOKING! This is totally inaccurate. Carbs are the body's main energy source and in conjunction with adequate protein, allow the body to build lean muscle, increase metabolism, and increase protein synthesis. Yes, you should enjoy carbohydrates in moderation and there definitely is a strategic way to utilize them more efficiently in your day but you definitely do not need to not cut them out of your diet and make yourself miserable! It's all about the ratio of macros! Enjoying your carbohydrates each day will not make you fat so go ahead and enjoy that bowl of pasta.

*If you'd like to learn how to incorporate your favorite carbs like pasta into your day and still see results, shoot me an email (sadiej15@gmail.com) and I'll gladly teach you the ways! 3. Lifting with light weights Lifting with light weights during your workout does not make you "toned". Getting "toned" happens as a result of decreasing body fat while increasing your lean muscle. This will happen with a manipulation of your macro ratios. Many women think that they have to use light weights in order to achieve that slender, defined look. But avoiding the use of heavy weights in an effort to not look bulky is just silly and is only hindering your progress. You should be using weights that are heavy enough to challenge you for all reps while maintaining proper form. Lighter weights with higher reps should be used when your main focus is muscular endurance. Heavier weights with lower rep ranges should generally be used when your focus is strength. Moderate weight with moderate rep ranges should be used when your main goal is hypertrophy (muscle growth). Supersets are especially beneficial in that phase.

4. Eating late

Eating late will NOT make you fat! 🙌🏼 So go ahead and have that midnight snack! You can eat as late as you'd like at night as long as you are hitting your daily macro targets. The food consumed late will not be stored as fat. Research has proven that it doesn't matter when you eat your calories/macros as long as you are staying within an appropriate target for the day. Long gone are the days of "Don't eat past 6:00PM" and then driving yourself crazy thinking about how hungry you are when you're trying to sleep. Treat yo self to bed time snack, in bed if you want!

Are you making any of these fitness mistakes?? If you are, it's not too late to change your ways. Forgive yourself for being so silly and make things right! I would also encourage you all to do your own research on these topics with PEER REVIEWED articles and journals not just believe everything you hear from your old pal sally or believe everything you read on the internet (like this blog 😏).