I read an article on Facebook today that somehow connected
drinking coffee to cancer… On my way to work I noticed that somehow I subconsciously
walked by the coffee maker that I use every morning and didn’t turn it on. I
ate the same breakfast this morning that I eat every morning with my coffee, but
this time I didn’t notice that I didn’t have any coffee to drink. It didn't hit
me that I didn’t have my coffee with me this morning until I was walking into
work and realized that I not only didn’t I have my coffee but I forgot my lunch
box, water bottle and protein shaker bottle; this morning was awful to say the
least.
I read a different article a few weeks back explaining how
some of the most common beers are so terribly bad for you that they should be
banned from the shelves… Now I second guess myself every time I order a beer.
While my reactions to those stories are wildly true, it hit
me that what we read on social media sites, blog pages and the random website from
the darkness of the inter-web have such a huge impact on our psyche… If we let
it. The new rage in Social Media advertising is what I like to call “Propaganda
Marketing”. It is when a blog page, website or an internet troll posts an
outlandish picture, video caption or blog title (i.e. my title about Crossfit causing
cancer) glamourizing something to the point where you have to click on the link to see it (Have you ever seen one of
those titles that say something like “This goat didn’t eat for days, then THIS
happened…” yea, I clicked on that too). It is a cheap way to get hits on
websites, videos and blogs but it often leaves more questions than answers.
With the amount of information now a days at our finger tips,
it’s hard to distinguish between the truth, the half-truths and the outlandish
lies… Because it’s on the internet so it must be true, right? The easiest way
to make a buck on the internet these days are to discredit something trendy and
popular. The one to guarantee the quickest response? Crossfit. Hands down Crossfit
has changed the landscape of the fitness industry, mostly because of the cult
like following it produces; if you’re going to fight Crossfit, you’re going to
have to fight it’s fan based that has pledged their allegiance to the fast
pace, chalky world of Crossfit.
At the end of the day, do your research. If a blog is siting
sources from a major publication or a scientific study, then go check the
source before you put faith in it (if they don’t site any sources, chances are
they are opinion based and can most likely be full of half-truths and outright
lies). Whatever you do, DO NOT repost something you don’t agree with or find
holes in… you are then just feeding into their ploy and sending people directly
to their site for more hits, more traffic and more money for them. The best
thing you can do is just ignore them.
Now, for my opinion on the health and
fitness world. … there, now that I got that out of the
way. Any health professional or dietitian would be hard pressed to disagree
with the thought that we should be consuming whole foods like organic vegetables
and fruits (mostly in a raw state), organic meats, fats from nuts and oils as
well as complex carbs. We should also stay away from processed foods, GMO’s and
excessive amounts of sugars. Of course everything in life should be had in
moderation and good judgment. As far as exercise is concerned, do whatever
makes you happy as long as you are moving and active. If you want to do Crossfit,
DO YOUR RESEARCH and find a place that you feel comfortable with and that has a
coaching staff that is competent and focuses on form. If you want to join a big
box gym, DO YOUR RESEARCH and find a place you feel comfortable with and that
has a staff and certified personal trainers that are willing to help with basic
exercise information (do NOT let them talk you into some sort of personal
training contract that you don’t feel comfortable with, they are there to help
not sell you something, even though most of their intentions are the other way
around). If you have no idea what you are doing, DO YOUR RESEARCH and find a
good personal trainer to help you with the ins and outs of working out and
program design. If you want the ultimate workout and live in the Tampa, FL area
go check out Core5 Studio (www.core5studio.com)
for a comprehensive fitness program.
At the end of the day, do what works for you, but with all
of this great information at our finger tips, there is plenty of tools to help
you weed through the garbage and get what you need!
As Always; Peace, Love and Fitness!
