Why you shouldn't believe every health advice your mother gave you

Filed in archive Exercises For Everyone on November 28, 2007

Knowledge and experience is passed on from generation to generation. We learn from our parents and do as they say, and end up believing that they are right. Surely you have heard your mother saying that you have to wait 30 minutes after you have eaten to swim, or less you will get cramps in the water. And we believe these myths; yes it is a myth, because they become normal when everyone believes in them.

Well it's always good to be a bit skeptical and next time your mother says so you can tell her that times changes and you are totally right. There is no need to wait 30 minutes after you have eaten to enter into the water. Of course waiting a little will make the swim much more enjoyable and you will also perform better. But there is nothing that says you will drown or have cramps just because of that.

This is only one out of many fitness myths that people believe everyday. Another common myth is; "No pain, no gain". No you do not need to train so hard that you say "ouch" for every step you take the next day. In fact over training is not advised.

And no, you don't need to run to get in shape quickly, nor do you need to exercise early in the morning or worry that you will get bulky muscles if you lift weights. But I'm sure you have heard it and probably believed it.

So how do you know an old advice is a myth? Stop and think about it, does it make sense? For us to know what is a myth or not we need to know how our body reacts in different situations. Did you miss biology class? Research to find out if the advice is a myth or if you should believe it.

Do you believe everyhealth advice your mother gave you?