by Charles Fischer

Created on: December 13, 2010

In warning, I am no health practitioner, nutritionist, or physical trainer.  I am just an average guy who likes to work out.  And I have only recently delved deeper into the world of physical fitness.

There is so much about fitness that can be overwhelming.  The first challenge, in my case, is overcoming the inertia that comes from -30C Canadian weather and navigating the icy roads to get to the gym.  The second is getting a vague idea of what to do at the gym.  It doesn't help to walk into a room full of muscly guys (and girls) who look like they could probably beat me up.  

Aside form these initial challenges, there is the constant bombardment of information about exercises, supplements, super foods and dieting techniques that all claim to help us achieve that illusive goal of being "fit."

If you ever pick up a fitness magazine, it doesn't take long to get an eyeful of these promising ads.  Generally, products are introduced by young Arnold Schwarzenegger lookalikes and have product names with descriptive adjectives like "extreme," "massive,"  or, my personal favourite, "Mutant Growth."  Of course, this doesn't cover the other wide array of products like Acai Berry which are designed to burn fat or  products packed with creatine that claim to increase your energy levels.

Now, when I actually read the contents of said fitness magazine, I realized there was not a single reference to the same supplements that decorated every other page.  Instead, there were articles describing effective exercises for different muscle groups, information on how to avoid injury, and a list of healthy food choices. 

Not once did I see a recommendation for health supplements.  Instead, I learned things like how eating an apple with peanut butter slows the release of glucose into the system (and is an excellent post-workout snack, having both protein and sugars).  My overall impression was that proper nutrition, combined with an effective exercise routine, is more valuable than packing yourself with supplements.  

Despite this, I will admit that I have tried L-glutamine pre-workout as it claims to protect against muscle damage.  But I soon found that after taking the supplement I had far less energy, felt agitated, and strange overall.  In contrast, my best workouts have always been after having a good meal and drinking plenty of fluids. 

Following a meal plan that includes enough calories to support your workout, and the nutrients that are necessary for your body, is by far the best way to maximize your benefits.  If you do feel the need to take supplements, choose those that replace any nutrients that you might not be getting from your diet.   

So, choose fruits and vegetables over pills and powders when it comes to achieving your fitness goals.     

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