1. Fun Fit Facts
What do you know about exercise and physical fitness? Let’s test you. Answer the following true-or-false questions:
- In order to reap the benefits of exercise you need to push yourself to your limits.
- If you sweat more, you will lose more weight.
- Exercising will make you eat more overall.
- The best option for losing weight would include a combination of aerobic conditioning and strength training.
- It doesn’t pay to begin an exercise program as a senior citizen if you have never exercised before in your life.
- Spot reducing is the best way to tackle a problem with fat on a particular part of the body.
- Cellulite has nothing to do with your body fat.
Here are the answers:
1. False.
Excessive exercise can actually do more harm than good. Pushing yourself
too hard increases risk of injuries to the bones, joints, and muscles
and can also make you dislike exercising altogether. If you are
overdoing your workouts, you would benefit more from slowing it down,
enjoying what you are doing, and making exercise a part of your everyday
routine. But fess up—do you even come close to being an excessive
exerciser?
2. False. Water
weight can be lost through excess perspiration but this is only
temporary. Once fluids are reintroduced to the body, this water weight
will return. When exercising, replace fluids on a regular basis.
3. False. It is
true that some people experience variations in their appetite, but, on
the whole, regular exercise should not increase or decrease your
appetite.
4. True. You can
lose weight more quickly and effectively when you do both aerobics and
strength training regularly. Doing aerobic activities burns more
calories than doing strength training, which builds more muscle.
However, having stronger muscles helps your body work more efficiently
to burn more calories when you do your aerobics.
5. False. Don’t
even think of using the age excuse! People of all ages can benefit from
an exercise program. Even a simple regular walking program can be of
great benefit. If you are a senior, get involved in a regular fitness
routine. By doing so, you can gain muscle mass and improve strength,
flexibility, and endurance. Many seniors who suffer from elevated blood
sugar levels as a result of non-insulin-dependent diabetes and high
blood pressure have seen those levels come down after starting a workout
program. If Mick Jagger can rock the super bowl as a senior, then you
can take the dog for a walk and get some satisfaction in the pounds you
lose.
6. False. You
cannot spot reduce. Fat doesn’t just melt off one part of your body.
However, you can tone the muscles underneath your fat. Cardiovascular
fitness helps to burn the fat, while doing strength exercises, such as
sit-ups for the abs or leg presses for your thighs, can help you define
and firm up your shape. The best way to lose that flabby stomach or trim
those thighs is to do both aerobics and strength training.
7. False.
Cellulite and body fat are one and the same. Cellulite is just fat with a
dimply appearance, which comes from the way it is deposited in the
body. Again, weight loss through a plan of reduced calories and fat
combined with an increase in exercise will help combat or at least
reduce the appearance of cellulite.
