Are You Secretly Sabotaging Your Health?
Girls' Life magazine|December 2016/January 2017

LET’S FACE IT: We are all a little (or a lot!) guilty of falling for a fitness myth. Whether it’s following your fave Instagrammer’s diet down to the kale chips or counting every single calorie, it’s easy to make mistakes or pick up bad habits without even knowing how they may set back your goals. But don’t sweat it: We’re setting things straight so you can keep fit and strong all year long.

Amanda Tarlton
Are You Secretly Sabotaging Your Health?

MYTH 1 BEING SORE IS THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW YOU GOT A GOOD WORKOUT.

That OMG-I-can-barely-move ache in your legs is known as delayed onset muscle soreness—and it doesn’t necessarily mean you torched mega calories in last night’s spin class. It simply means you worked your muscles in a way they aren’t used to, which is normal if it’s your first time on a bike. But it also can be a warning sign of injury if you’re still aching a few days later.

Remember to take rest days to give your muscles time to repair if you’re achy, especially if you’re a beginner. And whenever you work out, always focus on form. Sure, it’s impressive if you can squat more than your BGF...but if you aren’t doing it properly, you won’t reap the benefits (because you’re stressing your joints instead of your muscles) and you’re also putting yourself at risk of serious injury.

MYTH 2 CONSISTENCY IS KEY! YOU SHOULD RUN THE SAME NUMBER OF MILES AT THE SAME PACE.

Running is a great workout, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you do. Your body adapts pretty quickly to a routine, so your daily jog is less effective the more you do it. Plus, running long distances at the same pace can eat away at muscle mass, which weakens bones and leaves you feeling fatigued.

Next time you’re at the gym, mix up your cardio workouts with some heart charging intervals on the spin bike or elliptical. Then wander over to the weights and try out a new circuit workout— check out girlslife.com/iti for inspo (and no, you won’t get bulky). Building muscle also boosts your metabolism, so you reap the rewards of your hard work all day long.

MYTH 3 CARBS (OR SUGAR OR MEAT OR WHATEVER) ARE TERRIBLE FOR YOU.

Denne historien er fra December 2016/January 2017-utgaven av Girls' Life magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 2016/January 2017-utgaven av Girls' Life magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA GIRLS' LIFE MAGAZINESe alt
Now loading: Meditation mode
Girls' Life magazine

Now loading: Meditation mode

Haven't tried it yet? Here's your start-this-second strategy to find your center, no matter the strom.

time-read
4 mins  |
December/January 2025
Spread some cheer (here and there and everywhere)
Girls' Life magazine

Spread some cheer (here and there and everywhere)

You know that girl who's always bringing the holiday hype? Oh wait...that's you!

time-read
2 mins  |
December/January 2025
How to eat more vegetables (even if you truly hate them)
Girls' Life magazine

How to eat more vegetables (even if you truly hate them)

GOING DAYS—OR EVEN, YIKES, WEEKS—WITHOUT A SINGLE GREEN? THIS ONE’S FOR YOU.

time-read
4 mins  |
December/January 2025
THIS IS THE YEAR YOU CHANGE THE WORLD
Girls' Life magazine

THIS IS THE YEAR YOU CHANGE THE WORLD

It's exciting to be a part of the generation people say will transform the future.

time-read
5 mins  |
December/January 2025
NEW YEAR'S resolutions officially OUT
Girls' Life magazine

NEW YEAR'S resolutions officially OUT

What's in, you ask? New Year's intentions, aka the strategy that'll *actually* make all your end-of-December dreams come true.

time-read
5 mins  |
December/January 2025
"Ugh! My family is so...
Girls' Life magazine

"Ugh! My family is so...

OK. we're just going to say it: It's valid to sometimes get furiously frustrated and downright disappointed with your nearest and dearest. (Take that as permission to feel *all* your feels rn.) Our gift to you? Breaking down these daunting holiday dynamics so you can get back to being a fa-la-la family again.

time-read
3 mins  |
December/January 2025
Dear Carol
Girls' Life magazine

Dear Carol

CRUSHING ON A POPULAR BOY There is this boy I've been crushing on.

time-read
8 mins  |
December/January 2025
YOUR 2025 CONFIDENCE GLOW-UP
Girls' Life magazine

YOUR 2025 CONFIDENCE GLOW-UP

Sure, you could whisper some mantras, ask your besties to gas you up and listen to \"Bejeweled\" on repeat...or you could try these simple (but srsly effective) hacks for making 2025 your most confident era yet.

time-read
3 mins  |
December/January 2025
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
Girls' Life magazine

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

Hunter L., 16, is really tired. Not the kind of tired when you stay up scrolling on TikTok, but tired of, well, being a teenager.

time-read
5 mins  |
December/January 2025
READ THIS before you hard launch
Girls' Life magazine

READ THIS before you hard launch

You and your crush are one what-are-we convo away from making it official...except for that one thing.

time-read
4 mins  |
December/January 2025