That Fit Girl: Four common fitness fallacies debunked

Fitness isn't just about being healthy; it's an outlet, a passion — a way of life. You don’t have to be a model or have rock-hard abs or perfectly toned legs to be fit. It's about finding yourself, your strength and doing things you never imagined were possible.

I know what it's like to go for a ride on the weight roller coaster; to stare in the mirror and be disgusted, then eat more junk food to temporarily feel better. I also know what it's like to be thin and frail and still feel like I was too big, so I'd burn off every single calorie I put into my body on the treadmill.

I had confused exercise with fitness, and paradoxically, the answer to my struggle was in the very thing I was abusing. I had to learn to use fitness in a positive and motivating way. Now, food no longer controls my life. It fuels me and helps me reach my goals.

I'll always have an internal battle with self-image and self-acceptance, and there's no doubt I've had hiccups along the way. But realizing that nobody is perfect and looking at fitness as a lifestyle allows me to see the longterm picture of healthy living. I've been everywhere on the weight, diet and exercise spectrum, but it goes to show that you too can take control of your life.

I'm passionate about promoting health and fitness to everyone around me. I hope I can use my experiences to inspire children, teens and adults to love themselves for the way they are and use fitness as a way to discover how strong they can be in mind, body and spirit. It’s time to begin building your foundation for a fit and healthy life.

In my first post, I take a look at some of the most common fitness misconceptions I see:

1. "Low fat" or "fat free"

You're actually better off getting regular than diet. When people began wanting fat-free foods, manufacturers started producing “healthy” products that are low-fat or fat-free. The only problem is that foods with the fat removed taste like crap. The taste isn't appealing, so they load all their product with chemicals, sweeteners and tons of sugars, which all end up turning to fat in your body. Fats are not bad for you, in moderation, so essentially, you're replacing the good fats with bad sugars.

2. "That will make me bulk. I only need to lose fat."

WEIGHTS AND PROTEIN, PEOPLE!!!

Most people, women especially, who continually make fat loss a priority don't realize that they'd become more efficient at burning fat if they simply had more muscle. Eating less to weigh less is only going to hurt you. It will not only affect your metabolism and sow it down, but it will also be harder and harder to keep the weight off. This creates mental anguish and a downward psychological spiral. Lift some weights, eat foods high in protein and you'll see that having lean muscle will burn more calories and allow you to eat more. As a bonus, the protein will keep you full longer. Yes, it's a slower process to  optimum health, but it will last permanently if done correctly.

3. Obsessing and comparing

News flash: Everyone is built differently. I'm not going to say I've never been guilty of this, because I have, but don't compare yourself to others. It's something everyone struggles with, whether you’re a bikini-body competitor or a newbie to the whole gym-thing. How you handle negative self-talk and comparisons makes all the difference in your body mentally and physically. If you let it, this health-sabotaging mentality can ruin your efforts. Surround yourself with healthy people. Take some time away from your "couch potato" friends if they're toxic to your healthy lifestyle. The same goes for those people who flaunt their bodies all over the internet. Don't let these trigger negative self-talk or affect you and your future goals.

4. The "magic pill"

Every day on the internet, we're bombarded with ads for a "miracle pill" or some secret juice that burns fat — what a scam! Companies are willing to do or say anything to take your money, and ultimately, it always turns out to be snake oil. Think about this: If these products were so effective, would we have such an obesity problem? And how practical or affordable would it be for the average person to take special pills for the rest of their life? As soon as you stop taking the latest and greatest miracle product, the weight is just going to creep back on. Just learn to eat clean and healthy foods, fuel your body the right way and work out— all with a longterm focus.