I want to start off with a few dont's.
1) Don't take advice from celebrities. Some things really crack me up and one of them is when a celeb is featured in a magazine giving advice on diet and exercise.
I can promise you almost none of it is true or if it is, it does not apply to you.
Why?
Well here is the real scenario. I've chosen a female celeb for this as they seem to pop up on the magazine racks every month.
First, make $10 million in movie and many more on back end merchandise and endorsements.
Then pay personal trainer to design specific routine for you and show up at the times you have slotted off for working out whether its 2 a.m. or 2 p.m.
Next, pay personal chef to do all shopping and cooking for you.
Remain under watchful eye of the above 24-7 especially when next movie role calls for it.
Use as much discipline as you have as well by thinking about the need to look great as part of your profession.
Have photo shoot for magazine at the instant peak appearance is attained. Make sure lighting coordinator knows what he/she is doing and make sure makeup and fashion artists are there to maximize your assets as well.
If above fails, have new baby with different, new hunk in life. Hey, if you're pregnant everyone will cut you some slack on your figure, right?
2) Do not take exercise or diet advice from body building stars especially those who endorse diet supplements.
Why?
They do not take the supplements or if they do they take 1 pill to validate saying they take the supplements. In general their bodies are the result of the huge consumption of illegal drugs.
They do not write their articles or their exercise routines. Those are written by the skinny and fat guys behind the scenes known as ghost writers.
One exception is that the advice of personal trainers is sometimes very good. Keep in mind that if it appears in a magazine there is usually an agenda attached to it.
Ok, onto the questions
Q: Doc, what is the best equipment to use to lose weight?
If you really feel you need equipment here is what I would recommend.
Answer: A jump rope, a pair of well cushioned running shoes, a chin up bar.
That alone should cost you under $200 and you can do amazing things with just that equipment.
Later this year I will be releasing Brick and Mortar Fitness which will show you how to spend almost nothing and still get a killer workout.
I remind you that Combat Conditioning remains one of the best workout routines for anyone even if you are not a combat athlete.
If can be found at mattfurey.com
Q: What is the biggest mistake aging weekend warriors like me make when we try to get back in shape after winter.
Answer: The biggest mistake you make is getting out of shape in the first place!
The next biggest mistake is doing too much too soon because the memory of being fit is still fresh in your mind from the fall.
The third biggest mistake is neglecting your flexibility, especially as you age. It is usually at this point that some whiz kid emails me to remind me of the one study that showed that stretching before you work out increases injury.
Well, my friends, I don't buy it. That study was conducted by handing out a questionnaire and looking at self reported results. I can't think of a worse way to draw conclusions!
If you are over 40 I think stretching should be its own little segment in your exercise program and should be done everyday, even on days when you are not planning on working out.
I am pleased to tell you that one of the books I plan to release later this year will focus a lot on stretching.
Q: Dr Dave, what is the single most important part of exercise that burns fat?
Answer: An elevated heart rate.
At some point I will dive into the Cardio versus Non-cardio exercise debate again, as I have in the past.
But for this moment let's just say that an elevated heart rate is the most important part of fat burning and weight loss. Now please note that recent studies suggest that short bursts of intense exercise that raise the heart rate interspersed with periods of rest may be the most efficient way to do the things you want to your body in the shortest period of time.
While you're at it, if you are going to bother with a better exercise program, this Spring you owe it to yourself to get on fish oil, Regenerizer and Hercules Factor.
There is no finer supplement routine to burn fat and pack on muscle.
It seems like my readership enjoys the Q and A format so look for more of the same in tomorrow's blog entitled "Stud or Spud".
Until then, thanks for your time and your support.
Dr Dave
No comments:
Post a Comment