Archive for March, 2009Diet vs PizzaMarch 31st, 2009 by Henrik FlensborgCraig Ballantyne just sent out a cool video that is both funny and very educational -- and really drives home the point that exercise can’t beat a bad diet. The video features Craig Ballantyne on the cardio machine, Brad Pilon on Pizza and John Barban in the “commentators booth” Listen for the final numbers at the end of the video for a real surprise -- I bet you will never look at an innocent slice of pizza the same way…ever…
Popularity: 1% [?]  Preliminary review: Eat Stop Eat by Brad PilonMarch 31st, 2009 by Henrik FlensborgIn my search for a diet and weight loss program I’ve come across Eat Stop Eat by Brad Pilon. This preliminary review is based on just reading Eat Stop Eat once – and without actually trying it. The book is roughly divided into 5 parts:
Myths and FactsHere Brad Pilon debunks some of the diet and training myths and provides scientifically backed facts supporting the Eat Stop Eat process or philosophy.
The Eat Stop Eat stepsThe program itself – how you implement it in your current lifestyle – is actually the shortest chapter in the book. But a diet program that is so straight forward as Eat Stop Eat doesn’t really need to be made any more complex than it actually is.
A simple strength training programThis is the weakest part of the program (and not really the core of Eat Stop Eat either) – but since the only way to significantly increase your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is through building more muscle, then it makes sense to have it included in the book. There is a basic training program, but as Brad puts it himself in the book:
So, imo, if you’re already following a strength training program, then stick with that, if you are not yet following any muscle building systems, then by all mean start with the basic training program laid out by Brad (and then find a weight training system from one of the strength training expert)
Q&AThe Q&A chapter is large – and it goes over some of the myths about dieting as well as give some practical advice about who should or should not follow Eat Stop Eat – and when to do it and when not to do it.
ReferencesWith 52 references to science studies this is the best researched book I have ever read on diet. Actually I think that the norm in alot of diet programs is to include 0 scientific references and base the program on anecdotal evidence and “common sense”.
ConclusionI haven’t tried examining the 52 references myself and I haven’t tried Eat Stop Eat myself (yet), but after reading it I have no doubt that it will work without much work and without any of the side effects usually brought forward by opponents of diets. Popularity: 1% [?] Starting weight trainingMarch 30th, 2009 by Henrik Flensborg
I’ve started weight training. Last week I sat my foot in a gym for the first time in my life. I still have about 20 more kilos to lose and with my mountainbike rides being vastly more cardio training than strength training I needed to add something more to my training plan. On previous occasions where I have tried to start running again like I did when I was teenager I’ve always run into problems with neck, back and shoulder injuries. It’s my plan to run Eremitageløbet this October like I did every year when I was young, so I need to build up some strength in my upper body before starting any running schedule to prevent injuries stopping me dead in the tracks. I also need more leg strength to be able to handle all the hills we’re climbing on our bikes because it’s the hills that are killing me. Lastly I want to lose all my belly fat because it is quite frankly disgustingly looking – running around with a belly that hides my belt is just not attractive. So, I went to our company gym last week for an hour of introduction with a trainer and to have a plan made to my training just wouldn’t be random sets with random reps and random weight. So I now have a very basic and simple weight training plan (although I’ll be switching it out for another training plan once I have spent some time looking at a few complete weight training systems) Got my instruction Tuesday, went to the gym Thursday afternoon to train on my own for the first time and was stunned my the number of people working out. I have no clue if it’s safe or recommended to change the order of the exercises, so I spent quite alot of time waiting for *my* machine to become available Friday was recovery day, and the Saturday I hit the gym again – at 06.30 in the morning. First one there, and during my training session only one more showed up to train so there was no waiting for the machines this time. I’m heading there again today and this time I’ll see how crowded it is at 21.00 in the evening. So my next steps will be to pick out a suitable weight training program and to find a suitable diet program as well. I’ve already looked into a few muscle building programs and have looked at a few diet programs as well, but I’m not yet convinced which one to choose. Alot of these programs seem to contradict each other, plenty of them promote the discovery of “hidden secrets” and very few – if any – seem to be based on scientific evidence and studies. Popularity: unranked [?] |
