Nutrition & Fitness

The subject of nutrition is probably one of the most controversial when it comes to fitness. It seems that everyone has a different opinion about nutrition or diets (see definitions below). 

It's very interesting to me, how we have changed the meaning of diet as it relates to nutrition. The majority of society has been taught something about the basic food groups, the food pyramid or some form of nutritional guideline as a road map to health. However, having a little bit of knowledge does not guarantee good results. 

Once upon a time, 'diet' simply meant-what you ingest, liquid or solid. Nowadays, it means-how to get skinny quick or the method for losing weight. This is very misleading to a lot of people. Thousands upon thousand of people every year buy into 'The Diet' program in hopes to get fast results at minimal sacrifice or investment. Yet, in the same token, we will spend hundreds of dollars before we will spend an hour of our time.

In my opinion, the only way a diet, in this latter meaning, would ever be truly successful is when it becomes a lifelong commitment and only if it is beneficial to the body.  In this case it would become a lifestyle of nutrition rather than a 'diet program.' However, I am not talking about cases of serious or immediate medical conditions, which may constitute a different perspective as relating to the methods of achieving health. 

The methods of 'dieting' are plentiful, so let's just consider a few of the basic ones such as: Chemical diets, liquid only diets, and carb free diets.

Simply put, we will use our own common sense as we consider a few questions. 

• Was our body designed to live on man-made chemicals or natural vitamins & minerals? 
  
• How long can you live on liquid alone and how healthy would you be?
• Is ingesting a single carb truly the problem of being overweight?

Now, let's consider a few other options to ponder: 

• Are we looking for a quick, easy and simple fix in order to minimize our effort?
• Is the program we are investing in short term or long term?
• Do we stop before we eat to consider what nutritional value we are ingesting as well as the amount we ingest throughout the day?

Of course, like every other living person, I too struggle with the proper nutrition from time to time. Therefore, the evidence proves knowledge does not equal results. We must actively apply the knowledge we have as well as weigh every source of information (including this one) into the 'Big Picture' for the long term program rather than a quick fix.  

Nutrition is the backbone of health to our body and mind, which should be a lifestyle rather than a program!

(Post your comments and stay tuned for more information!)

________________________________________________________________

nu·tri·tion n

1. the process of absorbing nutrients from food and processing them in the body in order to keep healthy or to grow

2. the science that deals with foods and their effects on health

3. foods, or the minerals, vitamins, and other nourishing substances that they contain

Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

di·et1 n

1. the food that a person or animal usually consumes

2. a controlled intake of food and drink designed for weight loss, for health or religious reasons, or to control or improve a medical condition

Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Time Management & Fitness

Why is time management so important to fitness? 

Without time management, success and results will be minimal to non-existent, it needs to be planned on purpose! Proper planning is key while determination is the motivator.  

We need to make a goal, plan accordingly and then be determined to follow through. Then we will achieve the results and success we truly desire. Just know your determination will be tested. Have you ever made a goal and set your mind to be determined to meet that goal and then everything seems to work against you? Many might say only everyday!

We all have the same amount of time in the day, yet we all have different goals, circumstances and priorities and that is what determines our use of the time we have. There are also things beyond our control, which constitutes us to use some wisdom in our planning to allow for some flexibility. 

When we balance these things, life seems as if we are on a raft, gently flowing down a river, taking in all the beauty around us,  as we cruise at a steady pace. Yet, when we are out of balance it's like being on a little kayak rushing down a river of rapids, rocks and wrong turns and causes us to question our survival, or consistently trying to row upstream. In either case, it is less than the best use of our time and resources. 

So, the question becomes, how high of a priority is your health & your body, which is the only one you will ever receive? How important is it to you, that you care for the one thing, which you will live with, all of you days? And do you believe, that the things we do will affect our health and our body? So many more questions, I could ask, but sometimes keeping it simple is best. As you ponder these questions, I encourage you to consider the priority of fitness in your daily schedule and then spend a little time managing on purpose a plan for success. 

Time Management is the prerequisite of success in fitness!