Myth: Vegetarians don't build muscle or perform as well as athletes who eat meat.

Truth: Consider Dave Scott, six-time winner of the Ironman Triathlon, or Paavo Nurmi, who won nine Olympic medals for distance running. Vegetarians are also well-represented among legendary bodybuilding champions: Andreas Cahling (Mr. International) and Bill Pearl (Mr. Universe), are all devotees of a plant-based diet, according to Joseph Keon, Ph.D., a fitness expert from Mill Valley, California, author of Whole Health (Paris-sound,1997).

Myth: Anyone can have a flat stomach.

Truth: When you watch television, it seems like the models, actors and stars have fabulous bodies with lovely flat bellies, doesn't it? And many of them do, but what you may not know is for many people it's not physiologically possible to achieve a flat stomach. Let's face it; the factors that dictate how our bodies look are too many to keep track. Age, genetics, gender...all of these decide what your body and, therefore, your tummy, look like. Women, in particular, tend to store fat around the lower belly area causing that annoying lower belly pooch. Men tend to store fat around the middle, causing that annoying spare tire effect.

Yes, you can exercise and reduce your body fat, but you can't choose where you lose fat.

To get six-pack abs, you may have to drop your body fat to a level that is either a struggle to maintain or downright unhealthy. Many of us have the goal to get six-pack abs, but most of us will find it difficult to reach that goal.

If this is true for you, trying to reach an impossible goal is only going to make you crazy. Set reachable goals for yourself and make friends with your belly. Remember that we all have flaws and perfection isn't an option unless you head to your nearest surgeon. Instead of doing that, challenge yourself by taking care of your body and accepting it - good, bad and ugly.


Myth: The more you exercise, the more protein you need for energy.

Truth: Consider Dave Scott, six-time winner of the Ironman Triathlon, or Paavo Nurmi, who won nine Olympic medals for distance running. Vegetarians are also well-represented among legendary bodybuilding champions: Andreas Cahling (Mr. International) and Bill Pearl (Mr. Universe), are all devotees of a plant-based diet, according to Joseph Keon, Ph.D., a fitness expert from Mill Valley, California, author of Whole Health (Paris-sound,1997).


Myth: Vegetarians don't build muscle or perform as well as athletes who eat meat.

Truth: Of the three major nutrients, protein, carbohydrates and fat, protein is the least efficient energy source. Carbohydrates are the best source of muscle energy followed by fat. The body tries to spare protein for tissue maintenance and repair functions.