Just like in everything else, it is never too late to switch to a healthy lifestyle. Nowadays, looking good and being healthy is just one click away courtesy of all the video tutorials and articles on losing weight and burning fats, but have you been to that point where you ended up frustrated thinking about why, after all what you have done to trim your body to perfection, do you still have your “I don’t likes” in your body? This might help you figure out why.

You eliminate fats in certain areas of your body only.

Most of us are dreaming to achieve that perfect abs or flat belly to flaunt. Doing crunches is the most popular way to trim down your midsection, but the truth is crunches will not work unless you burn the layer of fats on top of your muscles. Phil Tyne, a director of a fitness center in Dallas, said that you need to reduce your overall percentage of body fat to see the abdominal muscles.

In order to burn fat, Phil said that you should create a workout that includes both cardiovascular and strength-training elements. This will decrease your overall body fat content. Any exercise you see online telling you that you will lose fat only in certain areas of your body is a big lie. And of course, a healthy diet is also an important thing to remember (via webmd.com).

You eat too little.

                                                                                                                                    

Most of us think that to reduce weight or lose fat, you should eat less and stop taking in carbs. We (So am, I) have been living a big bluff.

Studies show that when you eat too little or skip our meals, our body starves therefore slowing down our metabolism in order to conserve energy. This explains why fats are still on their places in our body and why we are still accumulating it. Remember to eat the right amount of food as often as possible and align it with your energy requirements (via PreventDisease.com).

Carbohydrates are essential in doing physical activities. It does not make you fat but extra calories do. When our body does not achieve its carb requirement, it burns fewer calories during any workout because it will not require as much energy to recover (via Prevention.com). Instead of cutting out carbs from your meal, measure your servings during each meal and minimize the consumption of simple carbs by choosing mostly complex carbs. Even if you have a hectic schedule and a lot of deadlines to beat, always eat on time with the right amount of food.

You lack sleep.

Always try to get a right amount of sleep. According to the American Journal of Epidemiology, people who sleep less than seven hours were more likely to gain weight. People who do not get a right amount of sleep have no energy to move at all the next day, causing their bodies to slow down its capability of burning fats even when at rest. So whether it is for a school project or you are still having a conversation with your crush on Facebook, avoid staying up late and try to get a right amount of sleep.

You exercise too much

The fact that you should spend hours in the gym to reduce weight and lose fats around your belly is another myth that should be junked. Ashley Borden, a Los Angeles-based celebrity trainer, believes that our body needs to recover, especially after a tough session. Over working your muscles and joints will not only burn fewer calories, but will also leave you prone to injuries. Give your body a time to recover. You can spend one or two days doing something that would not stress your body.

According to Valerie Waters, Jennifer Garner’s personal trainer, doing the same training pattern could also lead to injuries. Switch your workouts alternatively, for example, skipping the weights and go for a run instead.

You cheat on your plan

Photo from @OREOnnejustine on Instagram.

Yes, and do not even deny. Whether it is on exams or your workout plan, cheating is a sin. It is a big no, no. Your workout plan or diet plan will never work unless you follow it. More than anything else, burning fats takes self- discipline. Set your goals on why you are working out to always keep you on track. Fight the temptations that would make you quit or cheat on your plan. It is good to push yourself sometimes but not too much. Think of exercise not as a chore but as a way of letting your stress out, feeling happy, and gaining your self-confidence.

Myths and misconceptions are everywhere. So when thinking of an exercise for your body goals, do enough research, mind your sources. It is always better to consult an expert before doing something. And always bring with you tons of patience. Results of hard work will not be seen in just a couple of days.

- by Divina Sagani