The team challenge way to get fit.

• Position: Exercise - Brief article

When it comes to fitness, it is easy to fall victim to "get fit quick" gimmicks and schemes. Dave McGovern, national coach of Team Challenge, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's endurance training and fundraising program, debunks five myths that can take your fitness off course:

Fitness does not come in a bottle. Americans spend nearly $25,000,000,000 per year on nutritional supplements. Although there is some evidence that certain supplements may help marginally, nothing does the job like the combination of exercise and healthful dietary choices.

Do not fall for "seven-minute workouts." You cannot possibly achieve much in the way of cardiovascular fitness, endurance, or weight loss in only seven minutes. All things being equal, it takes 35 miles of running and walking to burn a pound of fat. Working out seven minutes a day, it will take about five weeks to lose that pound of fat. Compare that to a consistent, honest, 30 to 45 minutes per day, combined with a healthful diet, and you easily can lose one to two pounds per week.

Keep the "toning shoes" in the closet. The only way a pair of shoes...