1. Fat Free is Always Better
Not necessarily true! Fat is an important component of our daily diet. Your body is a clever machine. Ultimately, your body will begin to store fat on its own if you don't give it what it needs from food. Eating healthy fats, including olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and seeds will satiate hunger and give your skin a great glow to boot. If you’re set on avoiding fat, your body may have a hard time absorbing the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K & E. That’s not good. Additionally, if you’re inclined to believe that “fat-free” is synonymous with “all-you-can-eat,” you may find yourself eating too much!

 

2. Lifting Weights Will Give Me Big Muscles
Women need not worry if they fear that moderate or even heavier weight lifting will cause Hulk-like thighs and biceps. Regular resistance training will result in a faster metabolism, and a toned body. Women who do bulk up and look "big" work very hard, lifting very very heavy weights for a long period of time. Additional benefits of strength training include improved bone density and balance! Now get out there and grab a dumbbell.

3. Diet Foods Will Help Me Lose Weight
Not necessarily. Often times foods labeled as “diet” are loaded with refined carbohydrate, excess sodium and ingredients with a shelf life that could last a lifetime. Rather than turning to pre-packaged diet foods, aim for fresh foods that are nutrient dense and serve to help your body lose the weight it needs while getting all the vitamins and minerals it's missing.

4. I Exercise, Therefore I Eat (A LOT)
You worked out hard. You deserve something good...but it shouldn't be a brownie. If your goal is weight loss, using exercise as a reason to eat could very well backfire…badly. Eating normal-size healthy meals at regular times is all that’s necessary. Many of us are conditioned to eat during or immediately after a workout, as though we’re going to wither away to nothing. Truth be told, if you’re a healthy person, your body doesn't need any extra energy from food, unless you're working out 90 minutes plus. A big bottle of water is all you need until a typical meal or snack time. Don't bank on a calorie allowance because of exercise either. A good workout will burn a few hundred calories, maybe more. An extra cookie or slice of bread could quickly add back what you just worked off.