EFL Blog

It’s that time of a year when even in a gym as non-mainstream as mine more people are inquiring about how to lose some pounds and reduce the stress of sitting in front of a computer for 12+ hours a day.  (Quit your job and move to Indonesia and surf?)  The more people I train, the more years of training experience I have under my belt, the more quality information I read, and the more workshops with the best minds in physical therapy I go to, the more “middle path” my training approach for the majority of people seems to go.

While on the subject, here is an article for Yahoo Sports on some tips for picking gyms.

Years ago I might have said everyone has to squat, bench, and deadlift a certain amount to be fit, but realized that isn’t applicable nor even necessarily healthy for a lot of people. Nor is it the biggest factor in helping someone lose weight or feel better. Sure those movements (pushing, pulling, squatting, hinging) are basic human movements that should be practiced, but as I’ve learned the demands our lifestyles of sitting, driving, sofa surfing, jogging etc… take on our body requires more thought when it comes to incrementally moving towards a healthy body and attaining one’s goals.

Likewise not everyone needs or should do a ton of corrective work, stretching, or massive volumes of aerobic work. I’ve trained more people wrecked from running and yoga, probably to two activities most people would consider the safest ways to exercise, than any other sport. Maybe it’s because more people run and do yoga than do parkour… or maybe most those activities aren’t all that good for us as commonly taught. In any case doing a variety of exercises/sports is better than doing one thing exclusively in many ways. So get out and walk, bike, ski, snowboard, surf, lift, climb. I guarantee you’ll have more fun in the process!

A yoga teacher and former colleague of mine at Equinox forwarded this article in which a well respected teacher states

“Yoga is for people in good physical condition. Or it can be used therapeutically. It’s controversial to say, but it really shouldn’t be used for a general class.”

I’ve heard the same thing said by the best physical therapists, movement specialists, and sports coaches about bodybuilding, powerlifting, gymnastics, kettlebell sport, running, cycling, and just about any method of fitness that is all too often done in extremes.

As the wonderful writer Michael Pollan says about food eat plants, meat, some grains, some fruits. In other words moderation in most things. And if you are trying to change your eating or exercising habits then just be aware that it will take time, patience, and you will hit roadblocks.

Just the other day I had lunch with Nate Green, who is a writer for Precision Nutrition, Dr. John Berardi’s company that has been getting great fat loss results. Their latest Lean Eating program had 1,000 people enrolled, and I believe the average person lost north of 30 pounds over the span of a year.

But what’s really important is that John and his team teach people how to create sustainable healthy eating and living habits. I’ve been incorporating strategies Precision Nutrition uses for years, but recently they have been taking it to another level.

By now anyone reading this blog should know that diets don’t work. Creating healthier eating habits that become your new normal from now on works. Hitting the gym 30 times this month for 2 hours at a shot then not seeing the inside of a gym until next year doesn’t work. Being consistent in eating mindfully and exercising 4-5 days per week every week of the year gets results.

As Adam Bornstein says in this short excellent read:

The bottom line is simple: Weight loss depends on how many calories you eat, the foods you eat, and the macronutrients you consume in your diet (that is, what’s the ratio of proteins, carbs, and fats). Add in your exercise tendencies, and that will determine how you look and feel.

Its simple but not easy, as the saying goes. Eat a variety of healthy foods but not too much (and enjoy some of your favorites, even if not healthy, from time to time) and do a variety of exercise.