A quick comment by one of my bootcampers last week got me thinking about something.  She (sorry I forgot who it was) mentioned that she was watching The Biggest Loser last week, and was struck by all the product placement, and how obvious it is.  I don’t watch the show a ton (I know that might surprise some of you) unless I am looking to do a little research.  Every time I do, I am quite amused about how obvious it is..so in your face. “Hey, you know what I do when I feel a little depleted?  I just open my fridge and twist open a refreshing bottle of Vitamin Water!”is the type of thing you hear from Jillian or Bob.

Theres a lot of haters out there for sure.  Most of the critiques from other trainers I see about Biggest Loser are on the negative side.  Jealousy, I think.  While I dont agree with everything that goes on on that show, all in all, these people are doing a lot of good.  I found an interesting link along these lines from a trainer type, poo-pooing trainer Bob’s affiliation with Quaker Oats.  Read the link, watch the videos, and then read my take on it…..

http://www.healthhabits.ca/2011/02/18/celebrity-personal-trainer-bob-harper-says-oatmeal-super-food/

Ok, I see this from both angles.  The author clearly has it out for Bob.  From the videos I see, I dont see where he is pimping the sugary packets as the staple.  Did I miss something?  Furthermore, I think the overall point to the whole thing is that he is expressing the importance of breakfast.  Some of my clients are still on the kick of not eating any food until what, 2,3,4 hours after they wake up?  Sometimes no food until lunch?  Cant imagine why, as Ive stressed this crucial point ad nauseum.

Another point that the author is making is that if you were to have one of those packets, then that would be the equivalent of a having a York Peppermint Patty or some other candy.  Well, truth be told, there are in the ballpark of 12-15 grams of sugar and 3 or 4 grams of fiber in an apple too, but she doesnt mention that.  This is what makes me think “what is her agenda here?”  For the record, I’m not saying that an apple and a peppermint patty are equivalent.

Where I do agree with the author, and especially if its really coming from a place of caring and information is…many people just don’t know that those sugary packets of oatmeal are not the best choice to eat, even though it is oatmeal..and if you see your favorite trainer and he says its OK, you might take it and run with it (sometimes making a food like that a staple because its quick and in a wrapper).  This is where one would run into trouble.  The person who does not know how to read a label, much less check to see how many sugar grams are in a particular product is the person that could get into trouble.  My take is every once in awhile that stuff is “acceptable”, but usually that is only for the person who is not used to eating anything, and just getting something in their stomach is a step forward.  Frankly, anyone who has been, or is looking to get in really good shape should NEVER eat stuff like that.

I’ve said it before and Ill say it again…Id rather see you eat a half a Snickers bar instead of skipping a meal.  That may sound controversial, but I’d bet that the negative effects of skipping a meal would be at least equally as destructive to your fitness plan as eating a Snickers.  At least with the bar, you are getting some semblance of macronutrients that your body can work with.  This is a slight exaggeration, and if it was habit it would be a problem, but you see where Im going with this?

Anyway, just something that I was thinking about that I wanted to address.  The lesson…Learn how to read and decipher labels.  One way you can do this is to attend one of my grocery tours or seminars.  There I’ll teach you what to look for, and what to avoid when purchasing food in a box.  (which I try to get everyone to avoid anyway, but hey, life gets in the way sometimes, right?)

Until next time,

Chris

Chris Buckley, B.S. Exercise Science, is a certified Fitness Trainer and exercise physiologist, graduate of the University of Florida and fitness professional located in Roswell, GA. Buckley is the owner of BodyBack! Women’s Fitness Boot Camps…serving Roswell, Woodstock, Milton, and NE Marietta, and has posted more information on his website, www.RoswellBootCamps.com.  To try a trial week of his fat churning, calorie burning boot camp…click on the registration link at http://www.roswellbootcampsforwomen.com/roswell-boot-camp-registration.html



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