Shane Lance B.S., M.Ed

Let’s face it, there is a lot of hype out there when it comes to the health and fitness industry.  A multi-billion dollar industry is sure to attract a little fraud.  It can be difficult to know what type of exercise to do, what type of food to eat, or what type of supplements to take.  So many choices.  So many sound great.  What to do?  What to do?

Well, first, find the things you are interested in and start learning.  We live in a wonderful day and age when a wealth of knowledge is at our fingertips on the internet.  Now, it is important to pay attention to the sources.  Before you run off and buy little green pills made from plants that only grow for one week out of the year and only in one small spot in deepest Africa, and has to be processed a certain way by people of a certain group dressed a certain way, make sure the source is credible.  Before you pay big money for a special suit and hang upside down doing yoga poses while wrapped in a special plastic wrap for fat burning, consider the source.  Remember, anyone of any age and experience can create a website and write an article or blog.  Even the claims that are not so farfetched can be hard to sort through. 

The best way to protect yourself is to arm yourself with knowledge.  Be a sponge.  Suck up all the knowledge you can find on a subject.  Soon, you’ll recognize hype in a heartbeat.  Find people who are already successful with things you are interested in.  Most are always eager to share.  Be careful of the guys at the gym who are quick to offer their unsolicited advice. Usually, the ones with all the knowledge aren’t the ones running their mouth trying to show everyone how smart they are.

Your most important resource is YOU.  Learn to listen to your body.  Know when an exercise, diet, or supplement is working or not.  The idea that exercise programs are one size fits all is crazy.  That’s why knowledge is so important.  You can take one of those programs and if you have the knowledge you need, and listen to your body, you can adjust it so it is specific to you and your goals.

So, start reading and learning.  Visit this blog often.  I’ll be discussing different programs, diets, supplements, etc…  And most of all have fun finding your way to a fit and healthful lifestyle