41 0118 989 7570 True or false? Shater the exercise myths W orking out the fact or fiction behind some of the most accepted fitness myths can be the hardest part of exercising! What's the reality? The myth: It's possible to lose fat from specific body areas The truth: As you exercise fat is lost from over the whole body – not the specific area you might be working. The bad news is that areas you lose fat from last are those that gained it first. In men, this is generally the abdominal area, while in women its hips, thighs and bottom. It's therefore impossible for sit- ups to magic away the fat from your tummy, or squats to melt away your bottom. But what exercising will do is tighten the muscle beneath the fat, creating a more toned look. The myth: Muscle turns into fat if you stop exercising The truth: This isn't true, but don't use that as an excuse to stop exercising! Muscle and fat are completely different types of body tissue, it's impossible for one to become the other. If you stop exercising the muscles will lose bulk, strength and tone. This process makes them appear smaller, and feel less firm, looking more like fat than lean, sculpted muscle. This situation is exacerbated by diet. Many people who stop exercising still eat just as much food as when they were active, resulting in them taking on board more calories than they use and subsequent weight gain.

www. nirvanaspa. co. uk 42 The myth: It's best not to push yourself The truth: We've tended to believe that ' feeling the burn' was a 1980s phenomenon that went out with neon leotards and leg warmers. But, just as footless tights have crept back into fashion, we're once again appreciating that we do have to work hard to get results. Research by the respected American College of Sports Medicine sets people who want to get fitter a weekly target of three to five sessions, lasting from 20 to 60 minutes, working at 55 to 90 per cent of their maximum heart rate.