Studying to be a personal trainer has been an amazing experience to help me unravel some of my own beliefs about health and wellness.
For example, my father’s side of the family is known for being short and round. Like chubby Hobbits. And since I was born with a heart defect, I just assumed it was my lot in life to eventually end up a fluffy hobbit too.
But not so fast! While genetics do play a role in our body’s composition, we aren’t doomed to life out the rest of our lives being a certain way. There is hope. And that hope comes in the form of healthy eating and exercise.
What got me thinking about this topic was my reading today in our ISSA personal training book. Here is the excerpt that made me put down my highlighter and ponder my own beliefs about obesity and myself.
“MYTHS ABOUT OBESITY
A myth is simply a widely held belief without a determinable basis of fact. While myths are generally associated with ancient culture and debunked religions, they can spring up in modern society as well. For example, a best-case scenario of believing a myth in the fitness industry is achieving less than optimal results. A worst-case scenario might involve falling prey to a snake oil salesman who is bent on separating you from your hard-earned money and potentially injuring you.
Dealing with obesity is a subject that is rife with myths. Myths surround fad diets, unsafe surgeries, prescription pills, bizarre exercise regimen, and “new age” cures. One common misconception—myth—is that obesity is basically a lack of self-control. Self-control certainly plays a role, but so do other psychological and genetic factors. By looking outside of trendy approaches and turning to our always guiding light of science, we can more effectively fight this disease that ends way too many lives early.“
Especially in this day and age it is important to be able to identify what is a myth we hold about ourselves and physical fitness, and what is actually true.
So this is my promise to you: That I will do everything in my power to sort through the myths and the facts in order to give you the best fitness and food advice there is so you can live long and happy lives!
Cheers,
Fey
Fey Fitness 