Run Faster to Burn More Fat – And Other Myths

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Confused woman performing exerciseExercise is more than a hobby, it’s science. As a matter of fact there are probably hundreds of studies being conducted right now about how working out affects your body. So it’s no surprise that sometimes rumors and myths get started that may cause some confusion, and frankly, some ideas are just flat out wrong.

The New York Times recently reported that a group of scientists released an article in the New England Journal of Medicine which lays out 7 myths, 6 unsubstantiated presumptions about obesity, and 9 facts “that, unfortunately, promise little in the way of quick fixes for the weight-obsessed.”

Some of the myths mentioned in this article:

  • You have to be mentally ready to diet or you will never succeed.
  • Walking a mile a day can lead to a loss of more than 50 pounds in five years.

Some Facts:

  • Heredity is important but is not destiny.
  • Weight loss is greater with programs that provide meals.

Fitness tech company Digifit also recently listed common cardio workout myths, which include:

  • If you want to burn fat, it is best to get your heart rate as high as possible. In reality: “The best method for burning fat at a higher percentage is a steady, consistent workout in Zone 2 (60-69% max heart rate), the fat burning zone. This zone uniquely targets fat because fat is a slow burning fuel, so if you do a long and less-intense workout, your body will target a higher amount of fat cells then carbohydrates. While you may burn more net calories in higher heart rate zones, you will burn the highest percent of fat calories in Zone 2.”
  • In order to become better at endurance workouts, get your Forrest Gump on and go as far as humanly possible. In reality: “The best way to train for endurance is to workout with steady pace workouts in the Aerobic Zone, which is zone 3 (70-79%). Do not run a race distance every day because that is just asking for an injury! However, once a week try to work in an (Long Slow Distance) workout.”
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