Top 5 Fitness Mistakes

5. Using Weights That Are Not Appropriate For You

This means too heavy OR too light. Obviously using weights that are too heavy will compromise your form, leading to injury. But let's also discuss weights that are too light. What are you doing with 3 pound weights?!? Pick up a barbell, dammit. You WON'T GET BULKY. If you don't believe me, please read my prior TWO posts about this. That's how much I am trying to get this point across. Women don't have the capacity to bulk up like men do, so stop making excuses and introduce some heavy lifts into your strength routine. It's great for burning fat, building muscle, leaning out, and building bone strength.

4. Plodding Along On The Elliptical/Treadmill/Bike For Hours

Ok, there is nothing wrong with this, but it's just not efficient. Wouldn't you rather torch more body fat and improve your VO2 max in a quarter of the time? High intensity interval training, my friend. It's more efficient and more effective. The Tabata method is a perfect example of this--20 seconds max exertion, 10 seconds rest (8 reps total) of whatever you choose--push ups, pull ups, etc. It takes four minutes, but it's a beast if you actually do it correctly (i.e. correct time and really push yourself to your max).

3. Believing the Calories Burned Number on Fitness Machines

Even if you have entered your stats, the calorie count is typically not even close to accurate. So the next time you think you have burned 700 calories on a machine that does all the work for you, think again.

2. Working Out So That You Can Indulge

It's fine to do this to a degree, but eating a 1200 calorie meal topped off with a piece of cheesecake because you ran a mile is not ok. Remember, healthy is a lifestyle. You will end up getting caught in a hamster wheel of disappointment if you treat exercise like a chore. Find something that you love...that you will look forward to doing!

1. Cleanses

Please. Stop. Doing. Cleanses. They ravage your metabolism and your muscles start to eat themselves for energy. The pounds you are losing are completely worthless. It's damaging to your body. Instead cut sugar and processed foods, up your veggies and lean protein and I promise you will get better results. It might take a little longer, but at least it will be fat that you are shedding and not water and muscle.