If you could rewind the clock and tell yourself something you wish you knew, what would that be? When it comes to fitness & nutrition, sometimes the hardest lessons we learn are the ones we live through ourselves. And sometimes…just sometimes we shake our heads at the crazy sh*t people come up with and try to market to the masses (don’t even get me started on that one!).

1) Starvation diets don’t work

Does eating a piece of lettuce and half an almond sound like a good plan to you? Sure…you’ll drop weight. And, you’ll also drop energy, the ability to function and brain power as well as screw up your metabolism which in turn is going to make you gain weight. Not so cool…is it? Don’t get caught in the quick fix cycle.

2) Overtraining doesn’t work

More isn’t always more. Yes, you have to train hard and with intensity. But, killing yourself by spending more time in the gym than at home isn’t necessarily going to bring you more/greater results. Most likely what’s going to happen is you’re going to burn out mentally and physically. And, you’re setting yourself up for injuries. You can still be a hardcore maniac…just be a smart maniac…lol!

3) Weeble wobbly thingies don’t decrease your love handles

Don’t believe the hype! No matter how good the infomercial is….don’t give into the temptation to buy a gadget that’s going to burn off 27% bodyfat in 3 days. It’s not going target specifically at those stubborn love handles!! It’s just not going to happen. You CANNOT spot reduce! Your nutrition and training is what’s going to bring you results (aka: work!).

4) Sugar is a carb

…so being on a low carb diet but eating candy is counterproductive – no further explanation needed!

5) Hours of cardio/day will catch up with you

Have you ever been to the gym and seen the same people on the same cardio machines and get this…they look the same!!?? There’s a reason for that. This is another prime example of more is not more. More cardio does not = greater results. Your body is simply not going to respond after a while. It’s not going to like you and your body will start to rebel. Trust me when I tell you that it’s a LONG process to recover from!!!

6) My body is smarter than I like to think it is

There’s a very specific reason why our bodies function the way they do. The various systems we have internally work in harmony with each other so we can do what we need to do without thinking. For me, it usually comes down to having the patience to let nature take its course. With proper nutrition, supplementation and training, anything is possible.

7) You need to use a tanner before getting on stage

Have you ever watched Sesame Street and they play the Which One Of These Doesn’t Belong game? If you don’t use some sort of tanner before getting under those bright stage lights, it’ll be very obvious you didn’t prepare. There’s also a strong possibility you’ll end up as a viral web meme sensation! When you have the proper spray tan applied, your muscles show greater! Isn’t that what the sport is all about!! Why spend all that time prepping for a show only to look like a ghost against your competitors???

8) Learn to pose if you’re going to compete

Why work so long and so hard if you don’t know how to show off your efforts? It’s so important to work with a Posing Coach that will show you how to bring out your best features and take attention away from weaker areas. This could make the difference between first place and not bringing home a trophy. You need to work on your posing so you’re comfortable and confident on stage. If you’ve watched a show, it’s easy to spot the Athletes that have practiced their posing and those that haven’t.

9) Proper supplementation can make a world of difference

Sometimes it’s really tough to get all of the vitamins and minerals you need from the food you eat. Having the right supplements to assist in your overall health plan as well as help with recovery and the efficiency of how your body functions. If you don’t know what kinds of supplements you should be taking, ask a knowledgeable, trusted professional. And, don’t fall for over-hyped marketing claims.

10) Smarter, not harder…

…less is sometimes more – as you’ve read, this is kinda a running theme for me…lol! Coming from someone who’s put their body through hell and suffered the consequences. It was a really tough journey for me to get my mind and body back to a healthy place. I’ve learned the hard way that working smarter is so much better than working harder. Your body is going to be so much happier when you’re nicer to it!

I’m sure there are many more lessons I could add to the list. Hindsight is 20/20! But, if I had only known then what I know now, I would have saved myself from major metabolic burnout. At least my personal experiences can help my clients lead healthier lives!

 

Your life. Your results. 1 degree of separation.

~Jamie
Email: talk2us@212fitness.ca