There is so much information out there in magazines, websites, newsletters, journals, doctor’s office pamphlets, etc. on health and fitness. It’s not difficult anymore to find a thousand different ways to get a to one’s ideal self. However, we also know that the conflicting information is there as well, creating a cerebral fencing match in our brains as to what we should and shouldn’t do regarding our health. Every expert out there in the world of health and fitness has their own concoction of health tips, tricks, and gadgets to get you shredded, cut, toned, and/or ripped in 3 days guaranteed. It’s easy to see how some need a mental gauze and anti-septic after being mangled by one proposed miracle-system after another. Experts in the field write tedious programs for their clients, holding steadfast to them as if they were gospel, even though many fail to see results. Many professionals right it off as poor program adherence, poor nutritional habits, etc. These are all external factors, however what about internal factors? Is this system missing something?

Expertism: A system that exists where an expert gives advice to an individual without taking into account the individual’s own belief system. The individual either sinks or swims if the orthodoxy is not followed religiously.

Should i avoid fats or carbs? Should i run or lift weights? Should i eat salt? Should i avoid red meat? Should i squat to parallel or all the way to my heels? All of these questions are enough to incite riots among roundtable discussions, as many trainers hold steadfast to their convictions about what is “right” what is “contraindicated” and what is “most beneficial for the client”. The most disappointing part, however, is that many of us miss the boat when it comes to asking the client what they think about the issues and having an honest discussion about it.

What do YOU think about squatting parallel vs. ass to ankles? What do YOU think about salt? What have you been told about these things? How has it been working for you so far?

Even if there is a definitive answer to these questions, which there never really is, should it not start with one’s own beliefs about themselves and what they believe to be best for them? Change starts with the understanding of one’s belief system, then shifting that as that person sees fit. From there, we have a framework for which to build upon, as opposed to hard and fast rules that one must “implement or fail”.

We all have ideals of where we need to be, however being a present part of the journey to get there is the most rewarding part. Getting oneself to see the process and not beat ourselves up over the process, leaves us smiling even in the face of momentary failure. Failure is a perception, whereas one can view it as an end, another can view it as an opportunity to improve.

With that said, here are some thoughts…

The best exercise is the one you will do most frequently.

What do you love to do and why do you love to do it? In the words of Anthony Robbins (paraphrased), “find the WHY, and you will find the WAY”. If you love walking, do a little bit every day, even if it is only 15-20 minutes after dinner or on your lunch break. If you want to be a be a professional olympic weightlifter, you’ll have to learn how to squat all the way down. Are you okay with this? Thousands of weightlifters have done this for decades with no knee problems, but there are no guarantees in life. Just like there is no guarantee that you’re going to be alive tomorrow. If it’s important, do it every day.

The best food is the one you know is best for you at the time you are consuming it.

What do you want your food to do for you? Does this food align with your goals right now? If you want more energy for your day, a coffee and a danish might shoot you up initially, but it will also leave you hungry very soon after. There is no such thing as bad food. If you happen to eat a cookie or eat cottage cheese even though some guru health practicioner told you that your ethnic group shouldn’t have dairy, don’t beat yourself up over it. Remember that your mental and emotional states change the pathways in which your food is assimilated. If you stress out too much about your food, it could release stress hormones which could store fat instead of going towards other, more desirable tasks. So, if you’re going to eat that cookie, enjoy the hell out of it!

Bottom line: The inherent problem of the expertism line of thinking is that advice can not be digested, unless the individual taking the advice understands the “why” behind his/her actions. It is unwrapping the why in the box of beliefs that should be the place to start before implementing change. you are the ultimate expert of you, regardless of what any expert tells you. Start with your beliefs first and see if those beliefs align with your goals. And most importantly, learn to love the process first and let the product come as a result. Then again, am i just another expert espousing my own beliefs that are no more valid than the aforementioned? What do you think?

CR

Charlie Reid Uncategorized