Top 5 Fitness Myths — Busted!

Every bride wants to look (and feel) flawless in her wedding gown, myself included. We're all guilty of following certain trends or searching for the next diet secret. However, wouldn't it be great to feel like a more fit, gorgeous version of yourself without having to deprive yourself of anything or change everything about your current lifestyle?

As the daughter of a fitness professional who has been in the industry for over three decades, I have seen my fair share of "quick tricks" or "the next best diet." However, my mom taught me that it's about functional fitness and creating a personalized routine that sets you up for success. I've used this advice throughout every major fitness goal and I can truthfully say that it has never failed me. That's not to say that I haven't strayed from it from time to time, but when I get back to the basics, I feel that much stronger, healthier and happier. 

Here are a few myths I've encountered in my shape-up journey for the wedding:

exercise
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1. The only way to get flat abs is to do hundreds of sit-ups.
One of the longest-standing exercise myths I've heard is that sit-ups equal a six-pack. Sit-ups are a strength training exercise to work your abs but this isn't going to shed the layers of fat that you may have around your mid-section. Yes, I do exercises to strengthen my core, but I also do cardio to exert higher levels of energy to burn fat. In my personal experience, the most effective workout is a combination of strength and cardio to engage your larger muscles for higher levels of energy burn, as well as targeting smaller muscles. 

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2. Just cut sugar/bread/cheese/etc. out of your diet and watch the pounds drop off. 
What has worked the best for me is to not cut anything out but just indulge in moderation. For example, if I know I'm going out to a restaurant for dinner, I will eat a healthy salad for lunch, or if I know we're going to get dessert later that night, I won't ask to go get a donut. I never accomplished much when I swore off a food altogether because then it became the only thing I ever wanted to eat. By telling myself that I can have a few small bites of whatever I want, there is a lot less temptation to go off track.

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3. You can eat whatever you want as long as you're hitting the gym.
Although I go to the gym, that doesn't give me the permission to eat a gallon of ice cream at night or have cheese and bread every day for a mid-afternoon snack. I go into each day with the mindset of getting as many different nutrients as I can. By exercising, I am making a conscious decision to nurture my body, so I wouldn't want to let all of that hard work go to waste by giving myself a free pass in the food department. My goal is to eat healthy while allowing myself to indulge responsibly.

4. No pain, no gain!
Have you ever pushed yourself so hard that you literally cannot move the next day? Have you had to spend days recovering from your workout only to feel discouraged and not want to continue? Would you keep hanging out with a friend if all they ever did was be mean to you? I wouldn't, so I'm not sure why it's acceptable to want to workout when all you do is beat down on your body.

I like to leave my workout a little tired but feeling like I accomplished something and I'm ready to take on my next task. On most days, I do 30-45 minutes of cardio at a comfortable pace that is quicker than a leisurely walk. On other days, I jog, do interval training with an incline on the treadmill, or go for a bike ride. Yes, there are days when I might be more sore from a specific strength exercise but I make sure to never push myself to the point where I know I will not be able to move at all for the next week.

5. Strength training will make you look like a body builder.
I have never completely understood this myth, but I do know that it negatively impacts a lot of workouts. I am not someone who enjoys running for hours upon hours, so I always incorporate at least 30 minutes of strength training into my workouts, with some possible interval training as well. I want to look healthy and part of that means looking strong.

By adding in classes such as my mom's Tabata Bootcamp, I've started to feel stronger each week while achieving a leaner, more toned look. Tabata has been great for me because it's all about combining functionality, cardio and strength training. Sure, we do basic exercises like push-ups, but we do them in levels and with specific timing so that they take on more of an energy-burning component.

I've learned to re-understand my body during different times in my life and find a simple, "tired and true" routine that works for me now. I believe that redefining my workout routine and making smart nutrition choices will help me tone up to feel like my absolute best self on my wedding day.

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—Davia Montaya

Davia Lee is a real bride, entrepreneur, lead designer and wedding planner for Davia Lee Events. She loves all things sparkly, fashionable and girly. In contrast, her fiancé, Jesse, is a "man's man" — beard and all! They are the poster couple for "opposites attract" and prove that true love knows no boundaries. Their greatest wedding-planning challenge will be finding a middle ground where all of their wants, needs and dreams will meet. We can tell you this, though — when everything aligns, their big day will be fabulous!