Ever bring up a fitness question among a group of friends? No doubt you got five different takes, with each of your friends proclaiming what they know to be the "real truth." It can be hard to decipher truth from myth, especially since there is often more than one way to achieve results.



Yet there is definitely some misinformation floating around out there. For starters, let's take a look at four common myths, so you can decipher fit fact from fit fiction. I want to lose fat around my stomach, so I'll do more sit-ups.

Unfortunately, you can't choose where your body burns fat first. That means all the crunches in the world won't shed fat from your mid-section. The trick is to keep up with all-over workouts-so you see results all over (including the area you want to target!).

My muscle will turn to fat if I stop exercising. I remember a quote from Richard Simmons that actually says it best: "Repeat after me, people: fat is fat, muscle is muscle." What happens when you stop exercising is your muscle cells shrink and lose their tone-so much so that your muscle could appear "flabby" like fat. But fat is fat and untoned muscle is just that-untoned and soft. The best way to avoid the untoned look is to keep up on your strength training.

If I start to lift weights I will "bulk up" and look like a bodybuilder. Often women fear they'll become muscle-bound if they start lifting weights. But, thankfully, it's not that easy. Huge muscles are a function of hormones, diet and intensity of work. Only training with competitive bodybuilding techniques produce large muscles.

(Although it's true some women are naturally more muscular and build muscle quicker, an average workout routine will give you long, lean muscles and an elevated metabolism-two desired items in almost any woman's book!)

If I want to lose weight, I should increase my cardio. While a good heart workout plays a key role in a weight management program, it isn't the only answer. Science has shown that weight training plays a significant factor in losing weight, and that an hour of weight lifting can yield benefits that last all day and actually burn more calories in the long run than an hour of sweaty exercise.

There are other myths, all worth debunking. However, here's a keeper you can pack away in your gym bag: if you want to lose weight, don't focus on diet alone. A combination of a sensible diet and proper exercise, including both cardio and strength training, will produce slenderizing results that keep you healthy for life!

WHAT ONE TERRIFIC EXERCISE FOR BOOSTING WEIGHT LOSS EFFORTS? Walking! Start or increase your exercise routine by taking this first step: join the Callen Fitness 100 Mile Challenge.