I came across this link today about a recent study. So...kids get less active as they get older, huh?
It always amazes me when people do studies about things they already know the answers to. I mean really...anyone that either has kids or was a kid could have projected this one. Who funds these things? I often wonder whether I could actually make a living out of doing unnecessary studies like this. Why not put the money spent towards something more useful?
Okay...another rant. I'd mentioned that I had done the BFL program for some time. There is a website out there that a lot of Body for lifers frequent to discuss the program and obtain information and encouragement. For a variety of reasons, I withdrew from the site. I do occasionally go out there to read a few posts.
One of my pet peeves out there has always been how many of these people willingly buy and use a truckload of supplements. I understand that BFL is more of a bodybuilding program than a performance based fitness program. In order to enter the contest, you must use some of the EAS supps. When I did the challenge, I used the whey protein, and I still do. I use it in recipes and as a meal replacement. The rest of it? Why does anybody waste their money on it? So many people start BFL in order to lose fat and get back into shape. The diet is similar to The Zone in many ways. I really believe a lot of people fail on BFL because of unrealistic expectations. The supplements are looked at as a way to gain an edge and to make progress much more quickly than could otherwise be expected. It is exactly the type of thinking that has always made people fail at fitness and diet programs. It takes time. Your expectations should be realistic. Very few people are going to build a bodybuilders body, and yet they load up on all sorts of crap and expect to do just that. They cite research that everything they are taking and doing is safe, and really will enhance their performance. Eventually, they realize they don't look like Ahnold, and never will. They get discouraged and quit. Honestly, I just got tired of reading that crap time and time again. I was always very vocal against using supps, in the hopes that newbies would see an opposing point of view about them. After a while, you realize that people aren't going to listen to reason. They want the magic pill that will transform them overnight, followed by disappointment. Oh well. At least I can say that I tried.
It's just another thing I love about Crossfit. It's about performance and proper nutrition. There may be some people taking supps, but I would venture to say not a ton of them. It just isn't necessary. I'm where I belong now!
Showing posts with label Supplements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Supplements. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
I read an interesting article the other day
It discussed placebos that had been used in various medical trials. The more expensive the placebo was, the better it worked. The conclusion of the study was that the mind and your belief in something plays a huge role in the outcome.
It's interesting how this applies to a BFL lifestyle. It really shows that a positive outlook, visualization, and determination really can propel you forward towards your goals. Likewise, convincing yourself you will struggle and fail will much more likely make it so.
There is also a direct connection to the supplements so many BFLers gobble up like candy. I can't tell you how often I've read people saying they can lift more now that they are on creatine, or recover better on glutamine, or blah blah. How much of that is in their head? How much does the belief that these things work actually make them work harder and lift more just because they believe?
The only real way to measure these things would be to administer these substances to people without their knowledge....without them knowing they were getting anything at all. Not that you could do something like that...but if you could, I think you'd see that the supps might not do much at all.
Anyway...second time this week I hit a record 5k. Today was 22:36, 11 seconds faster than Tuesday. Wow. If I shave 11 seconds every week, I'll be at a 20:30 5k in twelve weeks! Yeah, right. But it does show that you need to really focus on challenging youself. I guess I've been a bit of a slacker with my running.
It's interesting how this applies to a BFL lifestyle. It really shows that a positive outlook, visualization, and determination really can propel you forward towards your goals. Likewise, convincing yourself you will struggle and fail will much more likely make it so.
There is also a direct connection to the supplements so many BFLers gobble up like candy. I can't tell you how often I've read people saying they can lift more now that they are on creatine, or recover better on glutamine, or blah blah. How much of that is in their head? How much does the belief that these things work actually make them work harder and lift more just because they believe?
The only real way to measure these things would be to administer these substances to people without their knowledge....without them knowing they were getting anything at all. Not that you could do something like that...but if you could, I think you'd see that the supps might not do much at all.
Anyway...second time this week I hit a record 5k. Today was 22:36, 11 seconds faster than Tuesday. Wow. If I shave 11 seconds every week, I'll be at a 20:30 5k in twelve weeks! Yeah, right. But it does show that you need to really focus on challenging youself. I guess I've been a bit of a slacker with my running.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Assorted flotsam from my brain
1. Scaling Crossfit
I got onto the treadmill this morning for my cardio, and was really confident that I was going to have a good run today. It was still hot in the gym, but I could feel that I had my wind and was going to do well. At about the seven minute mark, my calve suddenly turned into a knot on me. I tried to run through it, walk through it, and stretch it out, but I realized that I shouldn't continue to push on it unless I wanted to get hurt. I jumped onto the Concept 2 rowing machine to finish off my HIIT, alternating one minute of all out rowing with a slower recovery minute. When I've done Crossfit workouts, I haven't scaled them at all. I've found that my muscles and joints have been much stiffer for a few days after a Crossfit workout than when I do a BFL workout. Even though I can complete the workouts, perhaps I should consider scaling them and gradually moving up. There is a LOT of leg work on Crossfit, and my body needs to learn to accommodate that load.
2. Supplements
It's the time of the year when a lot of people make promises to themselves to get into shape and live healthier lives. Although I've removed myself from the BFL Tracker site, I do still pop in the once in a while to check things out. It's also the time of the year that I get frustrated reading posts that deal with supplements. People that haven't eaten right or exercised for years suddenly decide they want overnight results. While the results you can get in a twelve week program are substantial, it really is about changing your habits for good. Inevitably, people reach for a shelf full of supplements to make it all happen faster. Isn't this exactly what the BFL program is supposed to prevent? Loading up on all sorts of crap sounds like a fad diet, not a lifelong plan for health and fitness. Other people write about how great the supps are. More people end up taking them because they don't want to fall behind in the challenge, or want faster results, or whatever. People write about how safe they are. Let us not forget that a few years ago, EAS was one of a number of companies that were selling a certain supplement (I can't remember the name) that was found to be very harmful. These things are not FDA approved. Our bodies weren't designed to load up on supplements. They were designed to eat real food. As great as the BFL program is for getting people to make positive changes in their lives, it does force the use of supplements if you want to enter the BFL Challenge. I understand that this is a business. Go ahead and mix some protein into your oatmeal. But I'll let you in on a little secret. Health and fitness will never come from the inside of a bottle. It will only come from inside you.
3. The BFL challenge winners are up. Once again, the transformations were amazing. That being said, when I look at the winner in my age category, I'm kicking myself for not completing a formal challenge in 2007. I coulda been a contender! I'm telling you...damn.
I got onto the treadmill this morning for my cardio, and was really confident that I was going to have a good run today. It was still hot in the gym, but I could feel that I had my wind and was going to do well. At about the seven minute mark, my calve suddenly turned into a knot on me. I tried to run through it, walk through it, and stretch it out, but I realized that I shouldn't continue to push on it unless I wanted to get hurt. I jumped onto the Concept 2 rowing machine to finish off my HIIT, alternating one minute of all out rowing with a slower recovery minute. When I've done Crossfit workouts, I haven't scaled them at all. I've found that my muscles and joints have been much stiffer for a few days after a Crossfit workout than when I do a BFL workout. Even though I can complete the workouts, perhaps I should consider scaling them and gradually moving up. There is a LOT of leg work on Crossfit, and my body needs to learn to accommodate that load.
2. Supplements
It's the time of the year when a lot of people make promises to themselves to get into shape and live healthier lives. Although I've removed myself from the BFL Tracker site, I do still pop in the once in a while to check things out. It's also the time of the year that I get frustrated reading posts that deal with supplements. People that haven't eaten right or exercised for years suddenly decide they want overnight results. While the results you can get in a twelve week program are substantial, it really is about changing your habits for good. Inevitably, people reach for a shelf full of supplements to make it all happen faster. Isn't this exactly what the BFL program is supposed to prevent? Loading up on all sorts of crap sounds like a fad diet, not a lifelong plan for health and fitness. Other people write about how great the supps are. More people end up taking them because they don't want to fall behind in the challenge, or want faster results, or whatever. People write about how safe they are. Let us not forget that a few years ago, EAS was one of a number of companies that were selling a certain supplement (I can't remember the name) that was found to be very harmful. These things are not FDA approved. Our bodies weren't designed to load up on supplements. They were designed to eat real food. As great as the BFL program is for getting people to make positive changes in their lives, it does force the use of supplements if you want to enter the BFL Challenge. I understand that this is a business. Go ahead and mix some protein into your oatmeal. But I'll let you in on a little secret. Health and fitness will never come from the inside of a bottle. It will only come from inside you.
3. The BFL challenge winners are up. Once again, the transformations were amazing. That being said, when I look at the winner in my age category, I'm kicking myself for not completing a formal challenge in 2007. I coulda been a contender! I'm telling you...damn.
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