Have you ever noticed something that you just didn't make sense
in terms of why it was there, its purpose for existence, or
what it was supposed to mean? There have been several times
during my journey to find ultimate fitness success that I asked
myself, "why?" or "what the hell!" I'm talking about the hypocrisy
all around us and even within us. If you listen or look around you
will hear it and/or see it as clear as day! In this article, I'd like to
explore the hypocrisy that many times is overlooked or seen as
acceptable and without question.
"The 15 Minute Smoke Break"
This to me is the greatest hypocrisy that exists in many companies today.
Many companies allow or tolerate one or two 15 minute smoke breaks for its
employees.
During which, employees are allowed to run out to a pre-defined smoke-area
and
light one up. This is in addition to the 1 hour lunch that everyone is
entitled to. With the fact that health care costs are sky rocketing, I many
times question why the institution of a 15 minute smoke break policy exists
and a mandatory 1 hour (not including lunch time) fitness break policy
does not. Doesn't it seem sort of odd to you? Following an invigorating
early morning workout, I am much more productive and alive. I also have
much more energy and feel good about myself. Many doctors suggest moderate
exercise to maintain health. That to me means, fewer trips to the doctor.
That in turn means, lowering health care costs, right? I ask this simple
question, "Why is it necessary for you to find your own time to exercise
when,
if you smoke, you can use company time?". I have thoroughly realized the
benefits
of proper exercise and nutrition. Before, I was victim to colds and/or flu
usually 3 times each year. Since I have been more consistent with exercise
and
nutrition, I have not had a cold in over a year! Again, No Doctor Visits,
Lower
Health Care Costs!
"Junk food vending at the gym"
Each and everyday I train at the gym, I pass by one and ask myself, "Why?".
I
pass by the every present and strategically positioned vending machine.
Where is the hypocrisy in that? Well, it's the fact that it is filled
with goodies high in sugar and/or fat. Whether its snack food like candy
bars,
brownies, chips etc. or pop of the non-diet type, it exists in plain view.
You usually find them in areas that make it difficult for even the most
committed
person finds it hard to resist. Especially after a hard and grueling
training session
when most of us naturally feel we have earned the right to indulge. I often
fell victim
to the "Vending Machine" many times early in my journey. It was like
clock-work.
After training, I would head to the locker room to grab my gym bag from my
locker.
As I walked out, I would, without even hesitating, reach into my bag, pull
out a single dollar, and purchase one of those cherry-filled pies! My
rational
was, I needed the carbs after such a hard workout. After years of learning
from
my mistakes, I now realized that not only was I weak but the gym itself was
in a
way responsible for my routine indulgence. How hard would it really be to
load
that same vending machine with much healthier alternatives. I mean, that is
the ultimate purpose of the gym's existence right? Makes you wonder about
the
priorities of a gym that exposes it members to such things! Next time you
see
one, ask the manager to explain why the vending machine contains what it
does.
You'd probably be amazed by the response.
"Over-weight and out-of-shape trainer"
First of all, I am in no way a certified expert on exercise and nutrition.
I
do, however, consider myself knowledgeable. I have and always believe that
the best way to learn is through experience. After attending college and
obtaining
a "real" job in the information technology field, I discovered what most
college
graduates of a technical discipline discover. The technical knowledge I
learned
provided me with a valuable foundation, however, it didn't reflect what was
in the real
world. To me, the same applies to exercise and nutrition. When I see a
fitness
trainer that is extremely overweight/out-of-shape, I question how they could
understand what it really takes to commit to a healthier lifestyle. Yes,
its
possible that they gained enough knowledge and information from text sources
to have an idea but, to me, without experiencing it from day to day, you can
never truly understand what it takes. I was asked by a fellow gym member
what
I thought about personal trainers and what he should look for in order to
know
they are qualified. Naturally, I suggested that the potential personal
trainer
possess some sort of legitimate certification. Also, I suggested to him
that
the person's physical appearance is worth a thousand words. If they look
the
part, that means they live it. It is one of the most obvious indicators of
a persons commitment to exercise and nutrition. Next, I suggested that
he ask them to provide him a detailed training routine and diet plan that
they themselves follow. This, if nothing else, will indicate how serious
they
truly are. Finally, I asked him to remember that it was his money and,
if you care about getting the most for you hard earned money, make sure the
person you choose knows how to help and what it will take to get there and
stay there!
"Fat-Free but Sugar-Expensive Food"
We have all been guilty of taking this for granted and not questioning
the truth. The term "fat-free" is still found in plain site on many
items found in grocery stores all over. The hypocrisy is, although,
many times the so-called fat-free food is low in overall saturated
fat content, they are extremely high in simple sugar content. Since
ingesting high amounts of simple sugar results in the elevation of
insulin concentrations in the blood. One of the functions of insulin
is to assist with the transport of nutrients into cells and tissues.
However, insulin also inhibits the release of fat in adipose tissue.
There is much more detail that I could attempt to go into but I think
you can see how "fat-free" foods may still result in an increase of
body fat! This all goes to reason that you shouldn't always believe
what you read...
Well, that is only the beginning of the many untruths that exist in
bodybuilding. I shall return with more...thanks for reading!
Delbert
"A hypocrite is the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree,
then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation"
-By Adlai Stevenson
wnbfprofessional@aol.com
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