Knowledge is Health

So, let’s say that you hear about someone getting success trying out a new diet. 

If you’ve been trying a diet or struggled with one in the past, it might be natural to be a bit pissed off, but you think “maybe I need to try that diet.”

So, you try the diet, and it doesn’t work. 

Or maybe you didn’t follow it. Just kind of. Or you “did your own version” of the diet…. for like 2 days. 

Now before you go on YouTube or listen to a podcast about the newest diet or fitness hack, what if I told you learning is the key to finding your fitness, and not following someone else’s steps? 

We live on a spectrum of lifestyles. There are no absolutes. So somewhere on the spectrum of healthy exercise and eating habits, there is a path for specifically for you. The challenging part is you should understand what is on the spectrum to be able to know what path may be right for you.

Let’s look at the spectrum of exercise first. (My rough interpretation)

  • Begins with a runner –

    • Very lean – not a lot of muscle tissue but incredible endurance

    • Amazing cardio output – but hardly any muscle

  • Then a basketball player

    • More muscle mass, still good endurance

  • A linebacker football player 

    • More muscle mass, less endurance more power

  • Bodybuilder

    • Tons of muscle mass and Power

    • Terrible endurance or Aerobic

Difference 

  • Muscle mass – 

  • Cardiovascular training – 

Similarities 

  • Training – 

  • Usually some form of strength training – 

  • Consistent discipline – 

Results 

  • All happy and fit for their goals and values

Now let’s look at the realm of nutrition

  • Vegan 

    • No animal products

    • Tons of whole foods

  • Mediterranean 

    • Lots of whole foods, and fish

  • Paleo

    • Whole foods, no modern foods

    • A lot of protein and animal products

  • Carnivore

    • Mainly if not all meat 

Differences

  • Animal products vs. plant products

Similarities 

  • Whole foods

  • Not a lot if any processed foods

  • Appropriate about protein intake

  • Appropriate calorie intake 

Results

  • All happy and fit for their goals and values


Notice something there I put in results. – Values 

Same goals, different values. That is a HUGE part of a person’s identity – it basically is their identity. If you’re trying to follow a scheme or a concept without knowing if it matches your values, how can it work? 

“I’m going start running to lose weight” 

“Do you like running?”

“No.”

Bad idea. 

Here’s the knowledge part…

The common ground should be understood, and why it works. You should know why a person may or may not need or want to run. 

“I want to gain size. So today I went for a run instead of my leg day.”

This is a bad idea. Why? Because you’re sending your body a signal to be catabolic (breakdown) over anabolic (building), activating the wrong system. 

“Well, I did a lot of exercise today cleaning my house. I don’t think I need to lift weights.”

Cleaning a house isn’t the same as squatting 20-40 lbs. If you can only do 2-3 sets for 12-15 reps with squatting weights but you did clean your house all day – there is a reason why strength is a different signal to the body. 

“But I don’t have time to do a whole hour.” 

You can do strength training with a simple stimulus within 10 minutes. If you have time to scroll Instagram, or watch TV, you have time for squats. 

But you don’t value it yet. How could you? You don’t know what it is even doing in your system. 

What if you did? What if you knew the fundamentals of training, and how simple it could be? What if I told you, jogging isn’t a great way to lose weight if you don’t like to jog? 

Same with food. 

“I tried keto and it didn’t work.” 

Well, why did you try keto? What does “work” mean to you? Ketogenic diet is a great tool for those needing to retrain their appetite cues because they have a poor relationship with carbohydrates and recognizing hunger cues. Did you try to work on your relationship with food? Not to mention the fact that calories still matter.

“I always feel really bloated when I eat beef.”

What did you eat it with? 

“Pasta.”

Well, I’m willing to bet it wasn’t just the ground beef. And ground beef has enough fats in it already that you don’t need to add much more than just low-calorie veggies to complete that meal. 

But if you don’t know, how could you know? 

Imagine a day you looked at your exercise plan knowing why you chose it and how it’s going to help you get your goals. You enjoy it, and don’t feel like you waste your time. 

That same day, you go to eat food and see exactly why you chose each serving and what value it has to you and your goals. You even go out that night to a restaurant and don’t panic because you know what you can enjoy without stressing about “is this bad”, but rather knowing how to make it good and enjoyable. 

Isn’t that the dream? 

Maybe that’s me because this is my passion, but I can’t imagine too many people who truly desire their best fitness and health wouldn’t want to know more. 

Know your Why, What, and How. 

The knowledge of training and food creates the foundation of understanding – The Why. 

The values you have steers your decisions based on all the options – The What.

Then the practice makes it your lifestyle – The How. 

This will lead your decisions for YOU, because your lifestyle is unique. 

Embrace this part of the journey – reap the rewards of being empowered to give yourself the best shot of a healthy happy life.

Rhyland Qually