Thoughts, Ideas, and quick stabs

It’s not often that I want to spend the time to write about a subject, but every now and then, something or SOMEONE will strike a nerve with me. The main reason for me to write this blog entry is to say to everyone that may read this, “be careful of the advice you take on this or any website”. (or anywhere in that manner). People will claim to be experts with workout routines, diets, cardio, etc; but what I have found in all the years that I have been working out is – EVERYONE is different. There is no clear cut diet, nor routine that will ever get everyone to the same place.

 
First, we all have different body types. What works for me, may or may not work for you. Example, I was asked this morning, if it was ok to work out a muscle twice a week. A lot has been written in the past few years on this subject, and you can find arguments for both sides. Some people believe that working out the muscle once a week is enough, some believe in more. Me, I find that once a week is no where near enough for my body type. I tend t recover quickly from workouts and have found that working a muscle twice a week seems to have better results for me. But some people have great results with once  a week

 
Second, people have different goals for themselves. I myself am into working on my strength, so I sacrifice the time on cardio for the time with the heavy weights. So what routine might fit your goals, may not fit for me. The workouts my son goes through are so different than mine, because he is working for a specific sport and not working out to increase body size, etc.

 
Lastly, we have the diet. The biggest thing here (and again back to goals) is that not everyone is trying to cut weight, some people are trying to add size, some are trying to just transform, and some are trying wanting to add lean muscle. Also, some people do well with low carb diets, some do well with no sugar diets, some do well with high protein diets. Myself, I cannot cut carbs at all. If I do, everyone might want to back the F up. Understanding how changing your food intake effects YOUR body is a huge step in getting your nutritional plans in order.

 
I guess what I’m trying to say is, when seeking out help and advice, be careful of who or what you take that advice from. There is no set program, diet, or plan that works for all people. If you are paying for a trainer, PLEASE make sure your trainer sits and talks to you. Asks you questions, and listens to you. Is constantly adjusting to you (within reason). Example, one of my favorite people to work with, came to me and asked me to help because the plan she was given just didn’t work for her. WHY? Because it was a plan that had her doing 50 reps of a certain exercise and she said that she just dreaded it so much, that she would avoid going to the gym. So, we (yes the two of us) found a routine that she liked and would enjoy doing. There is nothing wrong with paying for a trainer, some people need the help of others, but also realize this, watch out how much you are paying. I have seen some trainers on this site that have great results and charge what I consider a reasonable price (Stevep78 is one that I have a lot of respect for), and then there are some that are charging outrageous prices for nothing more than a written down plan that they recycle over and over. The person giving you advice has got to know you, adjust to you, and listen to you. I was told the other day that one person I am working with is taking in way too much protein. This person gave this advice without ever asking a single question as to her goals and needs. And then tried to challenge my knowledge by quoting ONE source on the subject. Well hell, I can quote 100 sources that say otherwise. The bottom line is this, first understand that persons goals, and then talk to them about how things are going. Blanket statements are useless, as are blanket routines.

 
Good luck people, BodySpace is a great place to be, but please beware that not everyone here is out for your best interests nor do they really know what they are doing. So choose wisely on who and what you listen to.