A little knowledge is a very dangerous thing.
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Don't drink water while exercising.
This one is repeated all over religiously. But it only will leave you dehydrated and uncomfortable. Think about it! You are sweating it out and so depleting the level of water in your body. If you don't compensate for this loss, you are likely to end up feeling tired and may even suffer from cramps.
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Weight training will bulk you up.
Have you been avoiding weights all this time because the fear of what you may see? You needn't have. By birth, women are not designed to develop rippling muscles because the absence of male hormones. Instead, strength training will make your body firm and compact, and so, worth a lot of compliments. Plus, it will help you avoid osteoporosis or brittling of bones.
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Don't exercise at night.
This one is only partly correct. You should not exercise immediately before going to bed because exercise will make your body alert and so, prevent you from sleeping soundly. But this does not discount the option of working out in the evening. Some people do prefer to start the day with a session in the gym. But if your work schedule prevents you from doing this, you could do it in the evening.
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If it pains, it means your regime is effective.
This one is somehow correct. But there is a limit to how much you can push your body. Also, pain could be an indication that something is seriously wrong, that you have pulled a muscle too far. So better if you feel pain, stop!
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Exercising on an empty stomach is ideal.
The fact is that you are most likely to feel more fatigued on account of low blood sugar levels. Also in the absence of food, your muscle breaks down to give you energy. I don't think you want to do that, since it's your muscles that you want to preserve. But don't go to the other extreme. Just have a quick, energygiving snack about a half hour or an hour before the workout.
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Heat helps heal injuries.
Injuries caused during a workout usually lead to internal bleeding, soreness or swelling. Heat will stimulate blood circulation, increasing blood flow aggravating the problem. In this situation, a cold pack is a more viable solution. It will dull pain and bring down the swelling. Leave the hot pads for more chronic symptoms, for acute pain. Follow the RICE treatment: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
