Parasites? Now that's a smart way to lose weight! Why didn't I think of that first?
Do you know how much BAD health and fitness advice is out there? I read something the other day and polled my class on it this morning. I had read something saying that in order to lose weight, a person should or could eat cookies in the morning. It seemed to be saying that you would have longer to burn off the calories and you would have your cookies for the day. I guess it was assuming you were eventually going to eat the cookies at some point in the day, maybe? This would absolutely NOT work for me. It would set me up for wanting sweets ALL day long. My body would take that bit of sugar and set off a craving that would have my head spinning. One of the members of the class said that it would work for her as she would know she had something sweet and wouldn't eat more throughout the day. I can see how that makes sense.
I would imagine that this type of advice would send some nutritionists, doctors or dieticians to the moon as going against sound nutritional advice on what constitutes a healthy breakfast and what we should be eating in the mornings after spending hours fasting.
This made me think of all the different dos and don'ts floating out there in books, magazines, talk shows, magazines, books and cyberspace. There are so many conflicting studies, reports and advice that it is no wonder folks have no idea what to do or not do. It is no wonder our nation is three times more obese than it was 50 years ago. In turn, it's also no wonder the diet industry is a billion dollar business! There is so much bad advice out there that folks follow we all wind up like a little hamster on his wheel, trying to work so hard and getting no where fast and, eventually, just giving up.
What are some of the worst, or craziest health/fitness advice you have been given?
* Remember when we were told to always stretch before we exercised? Well, that's bad advice now. We are told to warm up our bodies with a similar type activity as our workout and to wait until the end of the workout to stretch. Actually, the studies really can't prove that stretching actually keeps you from getting injured or helps relieve soreness from a good workout.
I, personally, am a big believer in stretching following exercise, regardless of what the latest research states. I like it because it makes me feel good after a workout. I don't like my muscles to feel stiff and contracted. I like being flexible. It also makes it a lot easier to pick up stinky socks off the floor at my house.
* Lots of women do not lift weights. Someone once said that they would get bulky by lifting weights. They don't know what they are missing! We do not have enough testosterone to get all bulky. While I do have a lot of testosterone in my house, I, personally, do not have enough in my body to make me look like a guy. I really like weight work. It works for me, so I'll stick to it. If you've listened to someone telling you that you are going to get big and bulky you should chunk that advice and pick up some dumbells! See how they actually work on your body.
* How about those claims that if you do a certain workout you can get a bum like J Lo? Or legs like Cameron Diaz? Or abs like Halle Barry? All I can say is don't get sucked in! Sure, you can exercise and work hard and diet, but your bum is your bum. It might get smaller and tighter, but it's still your DNA. It won't be J Lo's bum! While I'd love to have Cameron Diaz's legs, I would have to get them stretched a couple of feet to even begin! As far as abs like Halle Barry, I'm still dreaming. Just kidding! I know its a lot to do with diet, some exercise and even more good genes. So, those infomercials that promise flat abs from wearing some belt around your waist during the day, that sound too good to be true, ARE too good to be true. Don't get sucked in!
*I've heard some folks say that at the gym, with the leg machines, there is no longer any need to use free weights. Don't believe this! Free weights activate more muscles so give you more bang for your buck. Your body is one, giant interconnected muscle. The more muscles you use with each exercise the stronger you will get. When you try to isolate certain muscles by using machines you are cheating your tons of assistance muscles out of work. Try sticking to free weights and see if you notice the difference.
* The worst are diets that tell you to eliminate carbs, fats, watermelon or any food from your diet OR diets that tell you to ONLY eat grapefruit, cabbage or cookies or some other particular food. Your body works on fuel, so we have to fuel our bodies with the right things to have energy, build muscles, have brain function and get through a busy day. Eat lots of different things, but not too many of one thing! Any diet advice that would tell you to forego a natural food in favor of some pre-fab protein bar or packaged anything can't be sound. Use your common sense on that one! Stay away from crazy, quick weight loss promises!
*Somewhere I read that in order to lose weight we should run for about an hour a day, then do 30 minutes of cardio. The pounds would just melt off. HA! Please don't be fooled into this one either! Slow cardio is ineffecient!! 20 minutes of interval training is more effective for weight loss than 40 minutes of slow cardio. The best way to lose fat is to use the right diet combined with interval training.
Who has time for 90 minutes of slow cardio a day anyway?
* The ever elusive six pack promises! All you need to get a six pack is lots of crunches everday. Absolutely not! Crunches are the most ineffective way to train your mid section for that sought after six pack! Don't get sucked in! First of all, we all know it's 90 percent diet! After that, we need total body workouts to lose weight and tone and then exercises that work the entire core. That means front, side and back! Planks, medicine ball russian twists, side planks, bridge poses, mountain climbers are just a few of the great ways to train your abs for strength and support. No ab roller! No magic belts!
A lot of finding what works for you is trial and error. Our bodies are all wonderfully different. We all have our own individual strengths and weaknesses. Find a sane way to get or stay fit! Follow a natural eating plan! Don't get sucked into crazy promises . . . please! If you hear someone giving health advice and it sounds a little wacky, chances are it is!
What's the worst advice you have been given? I know there are some doosies out there!
I would imagine that this type of advice would send some nutritionists, doctors or dieticians to the moon as going against sound nutritional advice on what constitutes a healthy breakfast and what we should be eating in the mornings after spending hours fasting.
This made me think of all the different dos and don'ts floating out there in books, magazines, talk shows, magazines, books and cyberspace. There are so many conflicting studies, reports and advice that it is no wonder folks have no idea what to do or not do. It is no wonder our nation is three times more obese than it was 50 years ago. In turn, it's also no wonder the diet industry is a billion dollar business! There is so much bad advice out there that folks follow we all wind up like a little hamster on his wheel, trying to work so hard and getting no where fast and, eventually, just giving up.
What are some of the worst, or craziest health/fitness advice you have been given?
* Remember when we were told to always stretch before we exercised? Well, that's bad advice now. We are told to warm up our bodies with a similar type activity as our workout and to wait until the end of the workout to stretch. Actually, the studies really can't prove that stretching actually keeps you from getting injured or helps relieve soreness from a good workout.
I, personally, am a big believer in stretching following exercise, regardless of what the latest research states. I like it because it makes me feel good after a workout. I don't like my muscles to feel stiff and contracted. I like being flexible. It also makes it a lot easier to pick up stinky socks off the floor at my house.
* Lots of women do not lift weights. Someone once said that they would get bulky by lifting weights. They don't know what they are missing! We do not have enough testosterone to get all bulky. While I do have a lot of testosterone in my house, I, personally, do not have enough in my body to make me look like a guy. I really like weight work. It works for me, so I'll stick to it. If you've listened to someone telling you that you are going to get big and bulky you should chunk that advice and pick up some dumbells! See how they actually work on your body.
* How about those claims that if you do a certain workout you can get a bum like J Lo? Or legs like Cameron Diaz? Or abs like Halle Barry? All I can say is don't get sucked in! Sure, you can exercise and work hard and diet, but your bum is your bum. It might get smaller and tighter, but it's still your DNA. It won't be J Lo's bum! While I'd love to have Cameron Diaz's legs, I would have to get them stretched a couple of feet to even begin! As far as abs like Halle Barry, I'm still dreaming. Just kidding! I know its a lot to do with diet, some exercise and even more good genes. So, those infomercials that promise flat abs from wearing some belt around your waist during the day, that sound too good to be true, ARE too good to be true. Don't get sucked in!
*I've heard some folks say that at the gym, with the leg machines, there is no longer any need to use free weights. Don't believe this! Free weights activate more muscles so give you more bang for your buck. Your body is one, giant interconnected muscle. The more muscles you use with each exercise the stronger you will get. When you try to isolate certain muscles by using machines you are cheating your tons of assistance muscles out of work. Try sticking to free weights and see if you notice the difference.
* The worst are diets that tell you to eliminate carbs, fats, watermelon or any food from your diet OR diets that tell you to ONLY eat grapefruit, cabbage or cookies or some other particular food. Your body works on fuel, so we have to fuel our bodies with the right things to have energy, build muscles, have brain function and get through a busy day. Eat lots of different things, but not too many of one thing! Any diet advice that would tell you to forego a natural food in favor of some pre-fab protein bar or packaged anything can't be sound. Use your common sense on that one! Stay away from crazy, quick weight loss promises!
*Somewhere I read that in order to lose weight we should run for about an hour a day, then do 30 minutes of cardio. The pounds would just melt off. HA! Please don't be fooled into this one either! Slow cardio is ineffecient!! 20 minutes of interval training is more effective for weight loss than 40 minutes of slow cardio. The best way to lose fat is to use the right diet combined with interval training.
Who has time for 90 minutes of slow cardio a day anyway?
* The ever elusive six pack promises! All you need to get a six pack is lots of crunches everday. Absolutely not! Crunches are the most ineffective way to train your mid section for that sought after six pack! Don't get sucked in! First of all, we all know it's 90 percent diet! After that, we need total body workouts to lose weight and tone and then exercises that work the entire core. That means front, side and back! Planks, medicine ball russian twists, side planks, bridge poses, mountain climbers are just a few of the great ways to train your abs for strength and support. No ab roller! No magic belts!
A lot of finding what works for you is trial and error. Our bodies are all wonderfully different. We all have our own individual strengths and weaknesses. Find a sane way to get or stay fit! Follow a natural eating plan! Don't get sucked into crazy promises . . . please! If you hear someone giving health advice and it sounds a little wacky, chances are it is!
What's the worst advice you have been given? I know there are some doosies out there!
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