With Halloween and Trick or Treating just a few days ago, I thought I would get creative with my title. In honor of this holiday that glorifies sugar, I thought that I would go through some common fitness mindsets that can easily bamboozle you. Working out and being healthy should be a treat. Here are some common misconceptions:

Carbohydrates are bad for you.If I had a dollar for every time I heard this I would be able to purchase the Miami Dolphins (somebody needs too). Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for many of the bodys vital organs, including the brain, central nervous system, kidneys and heart. If the body doesnt receive sufficient carbohydrate, it breaks down muscle and other tissue to produce glucose.

Weight gain is caused by consuming too many calories, whether they are from carbohydrate, protein or fat. It is better however to consume complex carbohydrates over simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates have more nutrients and take longer to digest.

No pain = no gainExercise should never hurt. Soreness is not unusual when you start an exercise program, but your body acclimates quickly, and soreness should be less of a problem as your muscles adapt. Warming up and stretching before and after exercising should help. There is a difference between soreness and pain. Pain is a sign that you are doing something wrong. If you are experiencing pain, you are either exercising at too great an intensity or using improper form. Dont ignore it find out what you are doing that is causing the pain, and give your body a chance to recover.

The best time to work out is early in the morningNot exactly. Many people believe that the energy boost you get from exercise is a double-edged sword. It is a great pick-me-up in the morning, but if you work out at night, you may not sleep well. If this was gospel truth, morning people would rule the earth. Fortunately, there is no one best time to exercise. It is a matter of what you prefer. You can try different times of day and see how it goes. Some people are at their best in the morning, while others can not fit it in except at lunchtime or after work. Fitting exercise into your day should be a priority. And no, working out is unlikely to keep you up at night. As long as you dont exercise too close to bedtime, you will probably sleep better on the days you work out.

Use the scale to determine progressThe scale is not all that intelligent, seriously. You give it far too much power over dictating how you feel about yourself. It cannot distinguish between fat and lean body mass. It is in fact possible to lose fat and weigh more due to muscle increase. That is actually supportive of long term fat loss. Even worse, the scale might suggest you are doing great; on your diet by revealing that youre losing pounds, but muscle loss will result in a slowing of metabolism.

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There is a lot of bogus information out there, especially in the social media world. Use a little common sense before taking random advice from anyone other than a healthcare professional. Its like trying to get an oil change in your car from the bakery shop next door. Leave it to the experts, I wouldnt recommend anything else.

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Healthy living: don't get tricked | Opinions - The Capital Journal