Destination: Goal
Photo by: jaycoxfilm
Have you ever bought a magazine because something on the cover peaked your interest, only to find that your $4.99 investment had one page dedicated to that topic and the rest was nothing more than one advertisement after another? As a fitness professional, I love to read different magazines, books, and online articles that relate to fitness, nutrition and overall wellbeing. I get really great ideas that I use in class or on my own as well as tips on nutrition. The most popular fitness magazines come loaded with advice, diet tips, new routines, and new equipment. Unfortunately, they also come filled with advertisements…well most magazines do, that’s where they make most of their money I guess.
The problem I had this week, when I attempted to give myself a break from the “must read” items to focus on a couple of really good articles in my latest fitness magazine, was that every time I turned the page there was an advertisement about the “ultimate” body transformation product, or the “best” fat burner, the “fastest” weight loss product, etc. each with a picture of a chiseled woman and her not so wonderful before shot. No, there’s no jealousy here, well, actually maybe a little…they do look awesome, but I doubt they achieved such physique in 60 days with a pill alone. My issue with these ads is that they are trying to convince us that if we take this product we will also have an awesome after picture to show off in a matter of weeks.
It was very frustrating for me because I was really into the article on exercises to tighten my Abdominals and Obliques, also the article on how to increase my energy in the afternoon, etc. But when I turned the page to continue reading I was met with yet another weight loss, calorie burning, body toning pill. Before I knew what hit me I was reading that article instead. If I was really desperate I would have completely disregarded the articles that were trying to teach me proper fitness techniques and nutrition advice to take the easy way out. It is difficult to stay focused on the real issues and what really works when we are constantly being thrown a curve ball.
I decided that if I wanted to really focus here I was going to have to take matters into my own hands….I tore up the magazine! OK maybe not the whole thing. I simply paged through and ripped every section that had the articles I found to be of value, I stapled those together and now I have a much smaller magazine almost completely ad free. Some sneaked in on the back pages but that’s okay because I don’t have the complete article to the picture so it really doesn’t matter. What matters is that I realized, from the beginning, that the “quick” weight loss articles were getting in the way of my learning and I had to do something to keep me focused.
These advertisements are in magazines, newspapers, the radio, but the worst is on TV infomercials. Pick up the remote and change the channel…do not let yourself get caught up in these idealistic advertisements that promise to shape your muscles and trim the fat in six weeks while you eat what you want and skip the gym. I can guarantee that each and every diet pill bottle will advise you to follow a sensible diet and exercise routine; you just have to read the fine print. While you may lose weight taking diet pills, it is only temporary and you are likely to risk more than just the weight gain that comes back, inevitably, after you stop taking the pills.
Go ahead, pick up the magazine but question every advertisement or better yet, tear it up and keep only the good stuff, after all, you bought it for the recipe or the exercise ideas not to be sold countless bottles of body defining products. Stay on track and don’t lose sight of your ultimate destination: your goals. Here’s an ad-free tip from me to you:
To see changes in your body and the way you feel there are four realistic things you must do every day:
Eat nutritious foods
Exercise
Stay hydrated
Sleep/Rest
Stay Well,
Spin Diva
Thanks so much for your comment! This was a great article. I've noticed the same things flipping through magazines. So many of the articles are thinly veiled advertisements. It's just not right!
Posted by: Jen | May 13, 2008 at 14:52
Wow...you're right! It's pretty weird that we wrote posts on virtually the same subject like that. Great minds think alike! :)
Posted by: Zandria | May 13, 2008 at 23:13
I have this weird thing that makes my eyes absolutely immune to magazine advertising, no matter what kind of ad it is, or where it is located. Wish I could just pass along my "super-power", but since I can't, I want you to envision your magazine re-vamping exercises as mommy's special craft time! ;0)
Posted by: Topsy-Techie | May 14, 2008 at 11:33
It really is that simple, isn't it? We should all remember that while we pursue the picture perfect body.
Great Blog,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa McGlaun | May 14, 2008 at 13:35
Lets not forget the airbrushing the goes on behind the scenes...grrr! all I know is that every scar I have ever developed either from falls or from having children will be there until the day I die and you know what, I'm ok with that. We really do have to love who we are today and strive to improve our health for the sake of living a long, fruitful, independent life. thanks for visiting my little niche on the web.
Posted by: spindiva | May 14, 2008 at 22:47
so true.
and for me.
no matter what it is (toddler hand holding, husband hug, whatever) PHYSICAL CONTACT is a crucial part.
invigorates and energizes me.
Posted by: MizFit | May 16, 2008 at 05:19
I am Topsy's R-T...followed her link over. I am trying to diet,lose weight and get in shape. Thank you for boiling it down to those four main ideas to keep in focus. I like it when things are concise like that. It helps me keep the main things the main things.
Posted by: uto | May 17, 2008 at 19:20
Thanks R-T for stopping by. Glad my four points are helpful--- much easier to remember.
Posted by: spindiva | May 17, 2008 at 23:02