Still Confused?

Putting things in perspective.

The purpose of this web site was supposed to end all the confusion about diets and exercise. While researching the latest and greatest that the internet has to offer I discovered that there is no definitive beat all end all, right way wrong way, "that’s my final answer" to anything. One of the reasons for this is because there are always new research studies being conducted and when the results get published it usually debunks the older studies. So for every paper published that says one thing there is usually another (newer or older) that says something else. And sometimes the latest findings prove the older findings were right, just right for the wrong reasons.

So how are we supposed to get to the truth of the matter? How can we make any sense out of diets and exercise? We are left with no other choice except to go with what works based on the experience of others, lots of others, thousands of others, over decades of trials. Not the fad diets and not the fad exercises. (A fad is some new idea that has the word "Quick" in the title). Don’t fall for it! If it works quick it will un-work just as quick. On the other hand, just because you put a new name on something to reintroduce it does not make it a new fad. It might be the same old thing just repackaged to sell you on it, so it’s probably still a good idea. From now on just go with what works, period!

There are thousands of research papers published and tens of thousand success stories over decades of time, so we can come to a few conclusions about diet and exercise. Here's my take on it, in no particular order:

  • It’s not easy and it’s not quick and yes your results will vary.
  • The exercise machine on TV will not make you look like the model using the machine in just 90 days.
  • Forget about good carbs or bad carbs. The good and the bad is in the when. It’s all about timing. Nutrient Timing is the correct way to eat.
  • Our society makes too big a deal about dinner. It should be a lot smaller.
  • There are three kinds of muscle and two kinds of exercise.
  • Aerobic instructors don’t know everything.
  • Personal trainers don’t know everything.
  • Bodybuilders don’t know everything, yet.
  • Dieting makes you fat.
  • Eating 5 to 6 small meals a day will do more for weight loss than starving.
  • Low intensity aerobics really does burn fat. It just takes time.
  • High Intensity Interval Training, HIIT, (also aerobic) burns fat for the first half hour then it starts to burn muscle.
  • Strength training cranks up your metabolism no matter what your age.
  • Exercising without eating right is a waste of time.
  • Doing only aerobic type exercise will lead to muscle loss. Muscle loss leads to a slower metabolism. Slower metabolism leads to weight gain.
  • Eat plenty of protein to build and preserve muscle.
  • Carbohydrates give you energy. You need that.
  • Bodybuilders eat Pop Tarts. ( I know they do, they just won’t admit it :)
  • Cheat meals are good for you, once in a while.
  • One total body workout per week will not make you bulk up. (even if you’re trying)
  • One aerobic workout per week will not make you lose weight. (even if you’re trying)
  • You cannot bulk up without adding calories to your diet.
  • You can lose muscle without cutting calories in your diet.

    • This is by no means a complete list of all the facts that are known so far but if there is a plan out there that does not agree with any of the above, it probably doesn’t work. (except for the Pop Tart thing :)

Charlie Barnard

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