Wow, there is so much health and fitness information out there. Can I really get fit and strong in only 30 minutes a week? Should I avoid carbs? Are fats bad for me? How about cholesterol? Aerobics — good or bad? And stretching?
The first thing you need to know about any information you receive is that the person presenting you with that information has an agenda separate from the obvious one. Usually that person is trying to make money.
Think about it.
Let’s say you have built a pretty good salary selling people on low-fat living. Then low-carb living comes into vogue, becomes the publicly acclaimed healthy way to go. Are you going to give up your salary, even in the face of scientific evidence that debunks the basis for it? (I am not saying this evidence exists for low-fat living — this just an example.) NO! You are going to continue to push the scientific evidence that shows low-fat is the way to go!
What if you are a pretty successful personal trainer, making $60 for a 45-minute session. You have a list of clients who keep a roof over your head, food on your table, and a 60-inch tv in your living room. Are you really going to tell them that they can get in shape in only 30 minutes a week?
How about if you are a government agency facing budget cuts if you don’t endorse the version of the food pyramid your primary supporters in Congress want pushed through for whatever political reasons they have?
I gave up on information I get from others long ago. This is not to say that I ignore it, but I filter it, picking and choosing what sounds right. Primarily what I do is try it out on my own body.
Exercise is supposed to make my arthritic knee feel better? Let’s try it out. Well, yoga definitely helps, but plyometrics does not.
Carbs are evil and making me fat? Let’s try it out. Maybe it looks like calories are more important than the actual types of nutrition that comprise them.
I know, I know. It takes a lot of energy to try stuff out. It’s much easier to believe in the one thing, do it, then blame the thing when it doesn’t work, or praise it when it does. That situation — when the thing actually works — creates problems, too, because even if it works for you, it might not work for someone else.
I love Tony Horton’s P90X. LOVE IT! But it’s not for everyone. In fact, all the parts of it are not even for me. But I love the parts that do work, and I do them, and that’s my thing. I have to be careful, though, not to evangelize about it. I only really talk about Tony Horton’s P90X when asked.
So, back to the original point — how about this blog? Should you believe me?
You won’t see a lot of answers here. I raise questions, try things out, and let you know what works for me. My thought is that maybe some of the stuff that works for me will work for you. That’s all. This blog costs me nothing to keep. I do make a kickback on any links you click to buy stuff here, but that’s not how I make my living.
My goal is just to let you know — honestly — my experiences in my quest for fitness. My hope is that you’ll find it interesting enough to read from time to time.
My agenda? To help you get healthier and more fit.
Believe it.
