« Fitness for Moms Carnival, 13th edition, August 2008 | Main | It’s Time for Goal Call Monday »
P&S: How to deal with the massive amount of conflicting advice!
By Cindy | August 30, 2008
PROBLEM: Lynn C of the Hungry Little Caterpillar, asks about the massive amount of conflicting advice. For example: Drink water, but don’t do it from plastic bottles, or these types of plastic cups, and not out of the tap because it could have drugs in it. You don’t need water because it doesn’t do anything for you. Caffeine is good, caffeine is bad. It boggles the mind. For every study I read, there are at least 3 that confirm and 4 that conflict. Hard to know what to think.
&
SOLUTION: With access to information from the internet, newsprint, journals, magazines and more, studies are conducted for multiple reasons and used to provide sound bites for the most current trend/discovery. As mothers who received a multitude of advice before baby was born, we politely nod our heads, listen and do what is best for our family. I take that same approach when it comes to advice and studies in the field of health and fitness.
Dear Lynn,
I agree! There is a ton of conflicting advice swirling around us. Of course, by answering your question, I am contributing to multitudes of conflicting advice, but you asked!
For every one study on a position there are two or three more that refute or take the study to a whole new level. When weighing the validity of a study, I look at the qualifications of the administrators, the number of test subjects, and the hypothesis. What is the study trying to prove? Who is the study affecting?
The biggest challenge facing health and fitness results in studies is that we are all unique. An athlete may respond to a stimulant such as caffeine quite differently from a person who jogs or exercises for basic health benefits. Genetics play a large role in how the body responds to sugar or metabolizes fat, carbohydrates and proteins. Emotions and feelings tied to different foods, exercises, activities and memories of our upbringing all contribute to the nuances of how one person is going to perceive and live their lifestyle.
The number of studies and advice available is mind boggling.
My advice is to decide what works best for your family. Consider the source, the participant’s tested and the philosophy behind the study. Does your body respond to an X ingredient that was in the study? How is it going to affect your daily living? Is there strong evidence that the hazards are life threatening?
Ultimately, you make the decision that you believe is best for your family. Just as we receive a ton of advice about raising children (and boy, are their conflicting views on this), we, the parent’s are ultimately responsible for choosing the best method that fits our family.
As for the water questions, all I know is that the human body is 70% water, so drink up girl! Plastic this/tap that, I don’t know, but most of us are walking around dehydrated!
Your Fellow Workout Mom,
Cindy
P & S, One Problem & Solution, designed to deal with your questions about being a mom, balancing life, establishing priorities and everything health, fitness or nutrition related. Drop a question here or send them to c.a.posey (at) hotmail (dot) com. I look forward to helping you find the answers to those nagging questions!
Don't forget to subscribe to my RSS feed and join in the Journey. Thanks for visiting!
Topics: Health Knowledge, Mom Stuff |
What do you think? Leave a comment. Alternatively, write a post on your own weblog; this blog accepts trackbacks.
PERFECT ANSWER.
there is SO much information out there and no only conflicting but may not *work* for you (as you pointed out).
Ive oft been told I should swim for the results I want.
but I kn ow I wont swim.
so what Im doing now? PERFECT (for.me.)
The advice to find what works for you is totally spot on. I drink water. The FDA standards are higher for tap water than bottled. Also, by refilling my (non-BPA laden) bottle, I’m cutting down on trash. (Come on. You can’t tell me that you have recycled every water bottle you have ever purchased. I sure haven’t and we’re recycling geeks.)
I actually can’t “stand” flavored water or any of that… but, then again, I don’t like sweet things and so on.
I think is important to NOT belive the first advice you hear.You can reaserch the subject over the internet and see if the advice is a good one or not.
It blows your mind sometimes how many conflicting reports that are put out. My grandfather used to always say that living a healthy life is all about moderation and using common sense.