5. Questions & Answers
Why is it necessary for me to integrate all 3 of the major categories of exercise into my exercise program?
Certain exercises, such as weight lifting only done on the upper body, or running, develop a few individual muscle groups. The causes an imbalance with the other muscle groups that are not simultaneously developed. For example, weight lifters often become muscle-bound because of their excessive contraction exercises (building strength and endurance) that leave no room for flexion and extension of those tightened muscles. One of my patients actually had broken blood vessels (bruises) on the surface of the skin from being so muscle-bound that it infringed on the circulation. We have found that integrating the proper combination of contraction, stretching and aerobic exercise into daily life and being consistent with it will provide the necessary strength, flexibility and endurance in the muscular system, maintaining an optimal level of functioning so that it may harmonize with the other systems of the body.
Why are people so obsessed with caloric intake, rather than the quality of the food they eat?
In today's society there are many fads and fad diets that insinuate that the only relevant factor in weight loss is caloric consumption. With this assumption, many people feed their dieting bodies a set number of calories, but calories consisting of highly refined foods and often non-nutritional substances. Their bodies are forced to feed off of this refined food, but the energy derived from a low nutrition diet is less efficient. It seems logical that the quality of food is directly related to the quality of activity. Note that these effects are long term (over a long period of time) and that one wholesome pre-exercise meal is likely to have little immediate effect on the quality of exercise. It seems, however, that people are realizing more and more the superficiality of caloric consumption exclusively and the great importance of the quality and composition of food consumed.