Written by Bill McGinnis, MFT
I often hear people say "I get all the vitamins, minerals, protein and essential fat needed from my diet." I have to tell you have that you don't! Not today, tomorrow or in the future.
'Just isn't happening folks. I'm not selling any supplements here, so relax, please.
I am intending to help some of you get a better understanding of what you're missing in your diet and why you don't get the fitness results you want. The National Federation of Professional Trainers takes this position, "not only do most Americans not get proper bio-chemical substances (vitamins) in most typical diets but most diets consists primarily of foods produced using pesticides and preservatives." See where I'm going already don't you? To further complicate this insufficient dietary intake is that far too many of you don't participate in any regular exercise. Yikes! You have trouble ahead not only for your long term health but as our bodies starting loosing muscle in the natural aging process, all sorts of health risk possibilities ensue. High blood pressure, arterial disease, bronchial distress, arthritis, and loss of sleep have been linked to poor diets and lack of exercise. Your notice range of motion (movement of your limbs with ease) gets limited as muscles deteriorate accelerated by lack of enough protein, minerals, saturated fats and way too much sugar.
As a Master Fitness Trainer, I find the range of motion loss most serious of the afore mentioned possibilities. One of the most courageous clients ever to grace my life is a 90 plus lady who four months ago came to train after her Doctor recommended me stating, "you need balance and core strength improvements." She came into the gym using a cane to walk with. For the past two months she has not used that cane because her diet improved aiding muscle growth thereby improving her balance. Is this some miracle? Maybe, but more likely she has simply adjusted her diet and changed her metabolism by strength training done correctly.
Other "fitness heroes" worth noting are those folks who recover from massive heart attacks, joint replacements, back injuries, neck injuries, major surgery and terrible emotional distress from loss and grief. They still come to the gym doing cardio work, diet improvements and strength training with me regularly thereby loosing weight, adding muscle, buying smaller clothes, wearing sleeveless blouses, having serious depressions lift and get ongoing compliments from friends, admirers and family. I asked almost all of the 4,100 plus clients I've worked with to increase their protein intake and remove sugar whenever possible. A few actually take my suggestions. The only reason this is important, folk, is that I want you to get stronger and more empowered for a long healthy life.
In my personal workout, I have a daily protein intake of over 300 grams as I want to still add muscle mass. It seems to be working: As 12/23/10, I did standing calf raises with 615 pounds three times with witnesses at age 60. This is probably not a new record but it does speak well for dietary supplementation, I'd say.
If you still need inspiration, and want to see a "fitness superstar" in action, stop by the UTMB Alumni Field House Fridays around 1 PM. Ms. "Superstar" Agnes, who at 94 will be there doing boxing, dumbbells, bands and Bosu Ball work.
Please make 2011 the year you change your life if needed.
Move, breathe, sweat and get healthier with a more flexible body! Remember...you can't get a new body if the original one wears out!
Bill McGinnis is an NFPT-certified Master Fitness Trainer, and trains exclusively at the University of Texas Medical Branch Alumni Field House on Galveston Island, TX. He has over 24 years in the Fitness Industry, including work as the Men's Fitness Trainer at the Betty Ford Center and as a Fitness Manager in Southern California. He currently specializes in training older clients for balance, strength, endurance, golf, tennis and an improved quality of life. He can be contacted through his web site, www.ProFitness4Life.biz, for distance training programs online.
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Mr.Mcginnis also hit the nail on the head, about our food supply, which is full of sodium, preservatives, and other junk our bodies just don't need. I look forward to Mr. Mcginnis's future articles.