3 Exercise Myths That May Be Holding You Back, From A Marathoner

From swimming to cycling, physical activity is essential to supporting your overall well-being. However, certain forms of exercise such as running or weight lifting may seem daunting, particularly if you're interested in getting started but are bogged down by misconceptions.

Contrary to popular belief, nearly anyone can participate in any form of exercise that they enjoy, so long as they're making sure to be safe and listen to their body. If you're intimidated by running or starting to exercise in general, there are several ideas that must be debunked before you can pick up an activity you may love and approach it with a healthy mindset.

When starting a new workout routine, it's far too easy to fall into the mindset that an intense exercise period every once in a while is more important than a regular routine. However, particularly in the case of running, this couldn't be further from the truth.

"Consistency is key," explains Akbar. "So when you're feeling like you've had too many days in a row or weeks in a row where you're falling off of your routine, it's not going to be the enjoyable experience that it really could be." That one workout a week that you're left feeling depleted after? That's right—it's not enough to hone your physical fitness.

There are so many definitions floating around of what constitutes being an athlete, so we'll put it simply: if you run, you're a runner.

"I have a very inclusive view of running. If you run sometimes, then you're a runner," says Akbar. In instances like marathons and even small road races, there are always going to be varying levels of skill, but at the end of the day, everyone is on the same playing field.

Many people begin their exercise journey with the misguided belief that it has to be unpleasant in order to reap the health benefits and support their body. However, running, or really any form of exercise, should be something you truly enjoy if you want the habit to stick. 

"It doesn't have to be painful," says Akbar. "You don't know how many people I've met that start running after high school and college as a second sport and they [say], '[Running] was our punishment for not doing something right on the field or on the basketball court.'" 

If you're just starting a new form of exercise or have been curious about running but are deterred by common misconceptions, you can rest assured that regardless of how you choose to begin your fitness journey it should never feel like a punishment. When it comes to running, you are still a runner even if you're not training for a race or breaking records, and with all exercise, consistency is key for seeing results.