OLD MCDONALD'S MALEVOLENCE

USDA Organic (from http://www.simplesteps.org)
To use the term “organic” on a food package, farmers and manufacturers must verify through an independent auditing agency that production processes have met all the organic guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA-certified meat, dairy and egg products must come from animals that were given access to exercise, sunlight and, in the case of beef, pasture to graze in (though this access can be minimal). The animals cannot be treated with antibiotics or given hormones to supplement growth, and their feed must be certified organic and free from animal by-products and genetic modifications. USDA-certified organic produce comes from farms that have refrained from using synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers and genetically modified seeds for at least three years. For processed foods to be certified organic and bear the USDA emblem, they must contain at least 95 percent certified organic ingredients.


I may avoid most animal products, but I'm no saint. I wear leather and occasionally fur (mostly vintage), but that doesn't mean I'm not an animal lover! I've been cussed-out and had pig's blood thrown at me during Fashion Week by protesters, which is far too aggressive and in fact, hurtful. It wasn't until a few years ago that I was exposed to the truth about factory farming, and the treatment of these animals is absolutely heartbreaking. Cows, pigs and other animals deserve to enjoy the sunlight, play in the grass, consume a healthy diet and be free of hormones or antibiotics before ending up on our plates. Many animals undergo torture before slaughter no matter where they're from, yet are still considered "culinary delicacies" (veal, foie gras, shark fin soup, etc.). Its very important that we support local farming!

Take veal for example: After being discarded by the dairy industry, new-born calves and confined in crates barely larger than their bodies so that they can't move around. The calves are fed an all-liquid diet that causes deficiency in iron and fiber which leads to loss of muscle mass and anemia so that the meat is more "tender" to our taste. These calves are given up to five times the medication than those raised in more spacious environments, and they never even get to see the sun or taste grass.

Foie gras, also known as "pate'" consists of fatty duck liver that is produced by shoving a metal tube down their throats repeatedly to force-feed them until they're slaughtered. Many restaurants including those owned by renowned chef Wolfgang Puck have removed the dish from their menus. Others have simply changed the names of dishes on their menus to try to cover-up what the customers are actually eating.

Contrary to popular belief, shark finning doesn't only occur in Asia, but in Europe and the Americas as well. Many species of these creatures that have existed since far before our time are finned in masses and then tossed back into the sea while still alive! Shark fin soup is considered a Chinese delicacy consumed by the wealthy, and now that the economy is stronger, the demand for this dish has rapidly increased. If we don't do our part to end this behavior, sharks could easily become extinct within the next ten years!

The smell of bacon is intoxicating, isn't it? Well, in case you weren't aware of how this tasty meal gets from the factory farm to your plate, here are a few facts: Mother sows are confined to metal crates barely larger than their own bodies, and even when moved to a "larger" space after giving birth, they are still unable to turn around or lie down comfortably. The piglets are taken from their mothers after less than a month and packed into pens with concrete floors and metal bars where they endure stress-related tail-biting. 

Farmers then break-off the ends of piglets' teeth and have their tails sliced and yanked off with clippers while they are completely conscious. This results in infected wounds from the open sores which is added to the noxious gases that they are already breathing from living in confined pens full of urine and feces. The unwanted runts are killed-off by having their heads slammed against the concrete floors or left to starve to death.

Several pigs die during transportation before they even reach the slaughterhouse, while the survivors are hung upside-down by their back legs until they bleed to death. If that still doesn't do the job, their throats are slit to speed-up the process. As you may know, pigs are quite intelligent, so they are completely traumatized throughout their short lives and suffer from lesions caused by pneumonia.

As for chicken, many companies have attempted to advertise this meat as "cage-free", because they are placed in dark warehouses at factory farms instead. The beaks are cut-off to prevent fighting among other chickens until they are beheaded and dipped into scalding hot water if they don't die right away. Many chickens raised for egg production are kept in cages where they can barely move and are starved for weeks to increase the amount of eggs per chicken.

The cancer-causing arsenic that is found in chicken litter is often fed to cows in farms and remains in their tissue until consumed by humans once ground into burgers. These so-called "free range" animals are raised into sheds full of disease and are forced to go days without food or water. They are slaughtered in the exact same ways as those from factory farms, so don't believe the hype!

Today's meat industry favors quantity over quality, and contaminates have continued to grow from hormones and overproduction in factory farms. The ammonia injected into most of the beef produced in the United States has the trimmings removed for dog food, which are even more contaminated. Farmers claim that cows are slaughtered painlessly, yet they are paralyzed and torn apart while still alive.

If you haven't read the book or seen the film 'Fast Food Nation' by Eric Schlosser, I highly recommend it. He uncovered the fast food industry and revealed the conditions of the animals from birth until death. Science also plays a big part in food production by using techniques to emulate the senses that we received from "real" foods.

The meat sold to fast food restaurants contains fats and random animal parts thrown into a processor by the factory before more chemicals are used to preserve the meat in freezers. High-fructose corn syrup is present in most fast foods, and increases food cravings and causes the body to store more fat. Its no wonder that Americans are so overweight and unhealthy!

Billions of animals are slaughtered for food in the United States every year with little legal protection, which wouldn't be the case if this abuse was recognize with house pets. Humans are the only species that consumes milk from other animals, and the BGH (Bovine Growth Hormone), is given to cows to increase milk production. The grass-fed cows at factory farms are unable to produce the amount of milk demanded on a daily basis, so they are fed an extra-rich diet that often lead to lameness and ketosis. These same cows are slaughtered for meat production to provide delicious burgers full of chemicals and hormones for you to enjoy!

It brings me a little peace of mind when I see a family that owns their own small chicken and dairy farms with plenty of room for the animals to roam. If you're going to consume animal products, consider local options, because there's nothing wrong with being picky when it comes to being healthy and cruelty-free! If a restaurant or store doesn't know exactly where their food comes from, don't eat it! Please check out http://meat.org.


The following videos are examples of what really happens in factory farms nationwide and worldwide. Please support local farming so we can stop this!

MARS AND VENUS

Disney and romantic comedies have completely brainwashed women. Sure, I'll watch one of those movies and think "wow, he stopped the plane so that they could be together? How romantic!" Then reality sets in, and its a good thing that it does! Many women cannot grasp the fact that the male and female species are different, and they stress themselves out trying to be more understood. Women are very sensitive and emotional creatures due to the fact that we are gatherers and nurturing mothers. Men are the hunters, and it isn't common for them to let their guards down too easily. Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, after all! 


I constantly hear women whining "men suck", "I can't believe he did that", etc., but whose fault is that? Women! If he never had a strong woman who didn't care who he was or what he had and refused to put up with being mistreated, that's why he's still a jerk. "He hasn't called/texted!" Well, then stop waiting by the phone and make other plans! Why make yourself readily available to someone who doesn't even respect you? The quote "never make someone a priority when to them you are an option" certainly comes to mind here.


There are many men out there whose egos are three times the size of what's in their pants because some eighteen year old girl who had never been with a real man told them that they were a stud. Thanks a lot, dumb girl! Now those guys are walking around thinking that they've got it all going on when the smart women can see them oozing insecurity, especially if they sleep around. I won't believe what I hear until its proven true, but I have friends in common with everyone in my life - and that's just by chance! It surprises me how small the world really is, yet people still think that they can get away with so much crap. We ought to stop the hatred towards men and realize that someone probably made them that way - a woman.


You know those people who get into a relationship and are all of a sudden too busy to spend time with their friends? I can't stand them. A healthy relationship consists of two individuals who have their own goals and aspirations in life, but maintain a special bond with each other. They keep their friendships strong and enjoy the occasional G.N.O. (Girls' Night Out) or B.N.O. (Boys' Night Out) without expressing jealous or controlling behavior. Your significant other isn't supposed to be "your reason for living", good heavens, no! They are someone that you love and respect with your whole being, and instead of clinging to each other 24/7, its an escape from the noise and stress of your everyday life.


Just because the pscyhotic hot actresses chase men in the movies doesn't mean that you ought to as well, so keep it old-fashioned. Women are certainly capable of asking men out, but remember that the man is the hunter, so let him court you. When you grow up as a "girly tomboy" and have guy friends, sometimes they forget that a lady is in the room, and too much is shared. The stories that some men have told me about women either cause me to become disgusted with them or completely embarrassed by how stupid some women can be. 


Don't give your power away to a random person who doesn't deserve it (read my other posts: 'Incoherent Hook-Ups Are Not Cute' http://nikiconnor.blogspot.com/2011/07/incoherent-hook-ups-are-not-cute.html and 'Dating' http://nikiconnor.blogspot.com/2011/07/dating.html). You don't want to be one of those people who goes to bars and clubs to find love either, because it won't happen when you're looking for it! You can't find love, it finds you when you are ready for it. Instead of being negative and angry about past relationships - no matter how bad they were, look at each one as a teacher. Though its only happened once before, I know what its like to be in love, and giving your heart to someone who gives theirs in return while being your best friend in the entire world is just beautiful.


If I hadn't learned from experience without being bitter about it, I wouldn't be where I am now: Growing on my own and learning to love and respect myself better. You can inspire others, but you can't change them. Change must come from within!

THE TRUTH ABOUT SUNSCREEN

When it comes to protecting yourself from harmful UV rays, wearing a sunscreen with a high SPF number or attempting to get more Vitamin D solely through milk isn't going to cut it. Here is a great article from Women's Health Magazine that breaks it all down for you, and this information definitely doesn't only apply to women!


THE SUMMER OF SPF
10 SNEAKY SUNSCREEN SECRETS
We uncovered some surprising sun and skincare truths. So, before you lotion up 
this summer, make sure you really are sun-safe.


BY KIMBERLY GOAD

Slathering on sunscreen is the best way to ward off evil rays,
but don't put blind faith in its efficacy. The Environmental
Working Group, a nonprofit research organization based in
Washington, D.C., reviewed nearly 1,400 sunscreens in 2010
and found that only 8 percent made the grade in terms of
preventing skin cancer and signs of aging. (Scary, right?) So
choosing the right one is critical. These fascinating facts and
tips will help keep your skin healthy this summer and beyond.

Some Dangers Lurk Within

A form of vitamin A is added to some sunscreens to minimize
the aging effects of the sun. What's not to love about that?
Potentially plenty: Researchers with the National Toxicology
Program say retinyl palmitate—a vitamin-A compound used
in at least 40 percent of American sunscreens—may speed
up the development of skin cancer–related tumors and
lesions when used on skin hit with sunlight. Lab animals
coated with a vitamin A–laced skin cream and exposed to
the equivalent of just nine minutes of midday sunlight
every day for a year developed tumors and lesions up to
21 percent sooner than animals coated in vitamin A–free
block.

While there's disagreement in the medical community
about whether vitamin A has the same effect on humans,
 it's best to proceed with caution. "If there's a question
about the safety of something, avoid it. Plenty of
sunscreens don't have retinyl palmitate," says
Robert J. Friedman, M.D., a dermatologic oncologist
in New York City and a clinical professor at the
New York University School of Medicine. Try Jason
Family Natural Sunblock SPF 45 ($12, at health-food
stores).

Vitamin A isn't the only controversial ingredient slipped
into some SPFs. Oxybenzone and octinoxate, common
block chemicals, are linked to allergic contact dermatitis
and photocontact dermatitis (irritation caused when
certain chemicals are on skin that's exposed to sunlight),
as well as hormone disruption, in lab animals.

Sunscreen Can Harm the Environment

Twenty thousand tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers,
divers, and surfers into the oceans every year, eventually
affecting marine life, according to a 2008 study published
in Environmental Health Perspectives. And coral reefs are
getting especially creamed. Researchers say sunscreens
with octinoxate, oxybenzone, parabens, or camphor
derivatives are killing hard corals (which could negatively
impact biodiversity and reef ecosystems). None of this is
a problem if you're hiking, biking, or sunbathing on dry
land. But if you plan to swim in the sea, slather on a
biodegradable sunscreen that doesn't contain
ingredients that are mean to marine life. Try Alba
Botanica Very Emollient Fragrance Free Mineral
Sunblock SPF 30.

SPF Doesn't Always Block UVA Rays

The magic number shown on the bottle refers only to a
sunscreen's ability to block the sunburn-inducing UVB
rays, not to be confused with UVA rays, the ones that
cause wrinkles and skin cancer (though excessive
exposure to both rays can lead to skin cancer). The
FDA is considering a set of guidelines that would use
a four-star system to rate a sunscreen's effectiveness
against UVA rays. In the meantime, check the
ingredients on the bottle for one of these UVA
blockers:

Titanium dioxide or zinc oxide: These ingredients
are famous for their UVA blockage, and new formulas
won't leave you with a Casper-like film on your face.
Try Episencial's Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35 Water-
Resistant Protection for Face and Body.

Avobenzone (a.k.a. Parsol 1789): This common UVA
fighter is among the most effective chemical-based
blockers. Choose one like MDSolarSciences No Touch
Body Spray SPF 40.

Ecamsule (a.k.a. Mexoryl SX): This chemical ingredient
is 3.8 times more protective than avobenzone and has
long been a staple in European and Canadian sunscreens.
It's now available in a few American blocks, including
La Roche-Posay's Anthelios line and L'Oreal's Ombrelle
line. But it's not cheap—a 3.4-ounce bottle of
La Roche-Posay costs $30, laroche-posay.us.

Sunscreen Expires

If you pull a half-empty, sand-caked tube of last
summer's sunscreen out of your beach bag, check the
expiration date before using it. Most sunscreens are
designed with specially formulated stabilizers that
protect its potency for up to three years, but that's
assuming you didn't let it bake for days in your
backyard. "Leaving sunblock in intense heat for a
prolonged amount of time may make it less effective,"
says Mitchell Chasin, M.D., medical director of
Reflections Center for Skin and Body in New Jersey
and fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine
and Surgery. So store sunblock in a cool place, and
while you're at the beach, keep it in the shade.

Meds Can Make You More Vulnerable

Medications like tetracycline, diuretics, and painkillers
such as Celebrex, Aleve, and ibuprofen up your chances
of getting a burn, says Barbara Gilchrest, M.D.,
professor and chair emeritus of the department of
dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine
and chief emeritus of dermatology at Boston Medical
Center. "They make your skin more sensitive to sunlight,
specifically to UVA wavelengths, which means you need
to be extra vigilant about sunscreen when you're taking
them." Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks
both UVA and UVB rays, like Neutrogena Pure &
Free Liquid SPF 50 ($10, neutrogena.com), to ward off
sunburn and photo damage, which results from chronic
exposure to UV rays.

Certain Foods Can Turbocharge Your Protection

One more good reason to load up on lycopene-rich
fruits and veggies such as watermelon, guava, pink
grapefruit, and tomatoes: A 2010 study published in
the British Journal of Dermatology suggests the potent
antioxidant lycopene acts as a sunscreen from within.
Women whose diets included 16 milligrams of lycopene
every day (the amount in about two cups of diced
watermelon) for 12 weeks showed a reduction in the
damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays, including
sunburns and cellular damage. Tomatoes are the
richest source of the antioxidant, especially when
cooked (heating tomatoes releases more of the
lycopene). Of course, this doesn't mean you can
skip the sunscreen. These fruits and veggies help
boost your SPF but don't replace it.

Labels Can Lie

Horrifying but true: The FDA doesn't regulate
sunscreens, meaning manufacturers aren't legally
required to prove the claims on their labels. They
can use words like waterproof, all-day protection,
and broad spectrum without any evidence to back
up their assertions. No wonder sun lovers are lulled
into a false sense of protection!

"Overblown claims on the bottle lead you to believe
you're covered," says Sonya Lunder, M.P.H., a senior
analyst at the Environmental Working Group. "You
may put on a 'waterproof' sunscreen promising
'all-day protection' and assume, incorrectly, that you
don't need to reapply. In reality, you need to reapply
every two hours and each time you get out of the water."

The SPF Number Doesn't Mean Much

Conventional wisdom suggests that SPF 30 will give you
twice the protection of SPF 15, and SPF 100 will offer
twice the coverage of SPF 50. If only.

"The sky-high numbers are a marketing ploy," says
Gilchrest. "People think they're doing themselves a
favor by using high SPF, but the difference is
incremental. SPF 15 filters out 93 percent of UVB rays;
SPF 30 protects against 97 percent; SPF 50, 98 percent;
and SPF 100, 99 percent—and that's only if you apply
enough of it."

Don't fall for the numbers game. When the FDA
releases its new guidelines, it's expected to include
a ban on any SPF over 50 because the numbers can
be misleading. Until then, use this simple rule from
Gilchrest: If you burn easily, go for SPF 50 and apply
it generously; otherwise, there's no need to go above
SPF 30.

Makeup with SPF Doesn't Cut It

Makeup and daily moisturizers with SPF will protect
your skin if you load them on and reapply every 90
minutes, says Darrell S. Rigel, M.D., a clinical professor
of dermatology at New York University. And who's
really going to do that? What's more, according to a
recent study from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center in New York City, most SPF-spiked beauty
products skimp on the all-important UVA-blocking
ingredients. Researchers analyzed 29 daily facial
creams with an SPF of 15 to 50, and only six of
them contained enough UVA-blocking ingredients
to provide adequate UVA protection. So think of
your moisturizer and makeup as just an extra layer
of protection, and always apply a lightweight,
broad-spectrum sunscreen such as Clinique's City
Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25.

Soaking Up Vitamin D Is No Excuse for Skipping Block

Vitamin D strengthens your bones and immune system,
reduces your risk for breast, colon, kidney, and ovarian
cancers, and regulates at least a thousand different genes
controlling virtually every tissue in your body. The
American Medical Association has recommended
10 minutes of direct sun (sans sunscreen) several times a
week to get that dose of D, but the American Academy of
Dermatology says no amount of unprotected sun exposure
is OK. "Vitamin D is very important, especially for women,"
says Friedman.

"But that's not a reason to get any amount of unprotected
exposure to the sun." Instead, obtain your daily D through
your diet (milk, fortified orange juice, and canned salmon
are all good sources) or a supplement (under your physician's
supervision). The newest recommendations suggest 1,000 to
2,000 IU a day. Try Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3
($16, nordicnaturals.com).

Besides the great product recommendations in this article, I'd 
highly recommend using  Elta MD UV Sport SPF 50, a sunscreen 
that I've been using for years and is highly recommended by my dermatologist. Its perfect for very sensitive skin and contains UVA/UVB protection with transparent zinc oxide. The formula 
doesn't contain a bunch of complicated chemicals and is also 
water-resistant and perfect for outdoor activities.

HEALTH & HAPPINESS

"Being healthy means so much more than how you feel on a physical level. Emotional and spiritual happiness for longevity, vitality and bliss!" -Jennifer Thompson (http://healthybliss.net)

TRACY ANDERSON IS A JOKE

The reason there are so many diet and fitness books and DVD's out there is because they all claim to be "the right way". That "right way" must be legit and supported by proper medical research, not ridiculous fakes like Tracy Anderson, Stanley Burroughs, etc. The diet and fitness program that works for your body without bringing any harm to it is the way to go! Its all about being healthy and happy, after all!

This review of the 'Tracy Anderson Method' from fitminusfiction.com is hilarious!

Fiction-spotting: Tracy Anderson. I mean, Jilliam Michaels. Wait, Susan Powter. No-Tony Little.

A few days ago, one of my friends asked us what we thought of the Tracy Anderson phenomenon. (“Who?” ) So thanks for the post topic, and get your feet set. This is so in-depth, I think we hit China.

All fake experts have one thing in common. They make up methods using their own uneducated reasoning.

It reminds me of people in ancient civilizations. (Stick with me, this works.) They didn’t understand why volcanoes and earthquakes happened. So, they said fire rained down from the sky, and the gods shook the earth in anger. The Greeks needed a dude in a chariot to explain the sun’s movement across the sky.

Fitness “gurus” develop these theories as if they truly understand physiology. But really, they’re just guessing at explanations in the absence of real understanding. They have no idea of the mechanisms in the body.

Tracy Anderson’s schtick: “small accessory muscles pull in the major muscles and keep you from looking bulky.” Well, I’ll give her one thing. Girl’s ballsy with her fiction.

A) “Accessory” muscles isn’t even a real term. They’re called stabilizing muscles—their job is to help stabilize you. B) In fitness science language, what she does is called “muscle endurance” exercise (as opposed to muscle-building/strength exercise). Which is controversial, in itself, because there’s not a ton of benefit involved.

Whenever you do a lot of reps with little or no weight until you poop out, that’s a muscle endurance exercise. This does not build more muscle. I better repeat that: if you can perform an action more than 15 times, you’re not building any muscle. (ACSM Position Stand, “Progression Models in Resistance Training for Healthy Adults.”)

I can lift my arm above my head just fine. But if I did it 100 times in a row, would my arm get tired? You bet. Will it build muscle? Nope. Because your muscle can already perform that action just fine. All you’re doing is running it out of juice. [Nerdy explanation of "juice:" inorganic phosphates build up and prevent production of more energy. Also, hydrogen ions (acidity) accumulate.]

I did some sniffing around for info on Tracy Anderson’s methods. After some searching, I found a nice, objective (but not overly educated) review of the DVD, and a video with clips of her workout, if you’re interested.

Anderson has stated several times that women should never lift more than three pounds, because they’ll “bulk.” Hey, what’s that old saying? ‘It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool…’ Your muscles can already lift three pounds. And if you’re not heaving with muscle now, you’re just fine.

Exhibit A: Me. I lift 20-pound dumbbells for each bicep. I do dumbbell presses with a 35-pounder in each hand. My arms are neither bulky, nor cut like a bodybuilder. They just look slimmer and “tighter” than they used to. And my shoulders seem to look a little more square, too. (likey like like)

But don’t just take my word for it. As usual, we’re gonna cram the scientific reasoning down your throat, too (it’s what you love, right?): women don’t naturally have the testosterone and growth hormones to get big muscles. Only a very small percentage of women (less than 1%, according to the PhD) have the extra Y chromosome that makes them capable of building muscle more like a man.

As if that’s not enough to convince you, here’s some more: the muscle women tend to develop is more slow-twitch (for endurance activities), which is the long, lean kind. Men tend to develop more fast-twitch muscle (for strength and power), which is the bulky kind.

It’s worth bearing in mind that many women who worry about bulking up (okay, treading carefully now) probably have a decent layer of fat over that muscle, too. For instance, building muscle on their thighs might only make their legs look bigger, instead of shapelier—it’s because they haven’t gotten rid of the fat over the muscle yet. Just saying. For more on that topic, you’ll definitely want to check out what this post has to say.

Remember, cardio keeps your heart healthy, and can keep you slim, but building muscle is what gives you nice shape, fights the bastard-twins Time & Gravity, and helps keep up your metabolism.

So anyhoo, I found enough Anderson falsehoods to fill Epcot. Here are just a select few:

Working the “accessory” muscles as she does, “pulls the skin back to the muscle.” False. No such thing. Again, if you can see muscle, it’s because there’s less fat over the muscle. (Really, you do yourself a nice favor by reading that other post.) And regarding skin that’s been over-stretched, like those people you see on TV who lose an excessive amount of weight: you can’t unstretch it. Skin’s elasticity only goes so far.

During one of her workout DVD’s, Anderson apparently mentions that the pain you’re feeling is because the “accessory” muscles are changing the shape of your limbs. False. Even if you exercise the hell out of stabilizing muscles, they’re small, and not in a position to change the shape of your limbs.

Here’s a really disturbing one. According to this article and others, Anderson often puts her clients on a diet of around 1,000 calories a day.

Um, she can’t do that.

First, because she’s not a dietitian (details, details). You’re not allowed to prescribe diets unless you’re a dietitian. And even a dietitian can’t prescribe a diet of less than 1200 calories, unless it’s under the direct supervision of a doctor. Anything under 1200, and you’re not getting the essential nutrients you need to live, hence the need for a doctor to keep an eye on your vital signs.

Anderson also claims that running bulks up your thighs. Well. Now she’s just contradicted her own mouth. Running is a muscle endurance exercise, just like the stuff she does. (Easy repetitions, over and over and over. No resistance.) Quick review: muscle endurance = no building muscle.

All of Anderson’s talk about teeny muscles, in general, is crap. You know what teeny muscle is? Less muscle. There is no magic teeny-but-strong muscle. You may have teeny muscles that you’ve trained to endure 100 reps, but they are not stronger. (I.e., if you could only lift 30 pounds before, you’ll still only be able to lift 30 pounds now.)

If you insist on having the slimmest body with the tiniest muscles, become a long-distance runner. It’s a ton of cardio, and doesn’t build muscle. (Even though lots of long-distance runners do strength training, to improve their performance.)

She finds a way to burn calories off of you, and then purposely doesn’t build muscle. That’s pretty much it.

So how does she get you to burn these calories? She has you workout for two hours everyday. Yeah, you heard me. Two hours. That’s her recommendation—one “cardio” DVD, one “mat” DVD, each one hour.

Which is, sigh, the source of another fiction: if you can do the same workout for an hour, it’s not cardio. No one can keep their heart-rate up in the cardio-training zone for an hour. Not even marathon runners. (Huh? Here: They build up their anaerobic threshold so high, that they can run fast for long periods, and still be below their cardio zone.)  Now, you’ll probably need this post for the real info on how long to workout.

Why trust someone with changing your body, when they don’t even understand what they’re doing to your body? Ineffectiveness is the least of your worries. They can do harm.

And harm doesn’t always manifest itself immediately. Lift weights the wrong way, and eventually, you’ll develop a bad back. Or knee. Or whatever else. Or, the opposite: you could unknowingly not build muscle at all.

Starve yourself one of these “trainer’s” diets, and it screws up your metabolism. Or what about those high-protein/low-carb diets? Now linked to inflammation and clogged arteries in the long-run. Or Fen-fen—remember those days?

Unfortunately, a big part of health & fitness is not intuitive. It takes deep knowledge of physiology. Which these geniuses don’t have. Hell, I couldn’t even find a decent certification for Tracy Anderson. Or Jillian Michaels. [Michaels lists two on her credentials: the AFAA, which isn't accredited, (that means it's not considered legit), and NESTA, which is a two-day course that requires you be 18 and have a high school diploma. It is not respected.]

Then why do people say their methods work?

Bottomline, if these false experts get any kind of results with their methods, it’s because they got you to burn more calories than you took in. That’s it. Any of their crazy theories behind it, just ignore.

Beause you don’t get to choose where you lose fat. So any “targeting” or “sculpting” or “shaping” they have you doing won’t be visible until you lose the fat first, anyway. Which is only done by burning calories. I’m not fond of italics. But I’ll use them. By god, I’ll use them.

I have my own unfounded theory here (I know. Hypocrite.). When most of the country thinks walking for thirty minutes is sufficient exercise, well then, hell—these DVD’s probably do have them working harder (burning more calories) than they have in years.

Whether their results are sustainable, though, is another question entirely.

Actually, that’s proof the trainers on The Biggest Loser (TV show with Jillian Michaels) don’t know what they’re doing: many of their contestants gain the weight back. You know why? Because that’s what happens when you approach weight loss the wrong way.

Is there a right way? Yes. Weight loss has been studied to death. If you understand the physiology—and psychology—behind becoming fit, and abide by it, it is much, much more likely that you’ll keep the weight off. It’s not some lofty land of milk & honey, there are plenty of people out there who do get it right.

Keep a stink-eye on these celeb trainers. Celebrities don’t know anything more about fitness than the rest of us. They buy into fads and pick uneducated trainers, just like the rest of us. Except when we do it, the trainer doesn’t get famous. When Madonna picks a trainer, they broadcast it to the planet. It’s fine for Gwyneth Paltrow to like the results Tracy Anderson gives her. But it doesn’t give her the authoritative knowledge to dub Anderson an expert.

Get your VO₂ tested. Find out where your heart rate needs to be during your workout. Have a real, accredited trainer build your strength-training routine. All these other dinglewads are just tryin’ to make money off your confusion.

Hope we didn’t make your head explode.

Another funny review: http://brianstpierretraining.com/index.php/the-tracy-anderson-lie/

TANOREXIA

From 'Science Daily' (http://sciencedaily.com)

Frequent Tanning Bed Users Exhibit Brain Changes and Behavior Similar to Addicts, Study Finds

ScienceDaily (Aug. 10, 2011) — People who frequently use tanning beds may be spurred by an addictive neurological reward-and-reinforcement trigger, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found in a pilot study.

This could explain why some people continue to use tanning beds despite the increased risk of developing melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer. The brain activity and corresponding blood flow tracked by UT Southwestern scientists involved in the study is similar to that seen in people addicted to drugs and alcohol.

"Using tanning beds has rewarding effects in the brain so people may feel compelled to persist in the behavior even though it's bad for them," said Dr. Bryon Adinoff, professor of psychiatry and senior author of the study available online and in a future print edition ofAddiction Biology. "The implication is, 'If it's rewarding, then could it also be addictive?' It's an important question in the field."

About 120,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. People younger than 30 who use a tanning bed 10 times a year have eight times the risk of developing malignant melanoma. While public knowledge of these dangers has grown, so has the regular use of tanning beds.

In this study, participants used tanning beds on two separate occasions: one time they were exposed to ultraviolet radiation and another time special filters blocked exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Participants did not know on which session they received the real or the filtered ultraviolet exposure. At each visit, participants were asked before and after each session how much they felt like tanning. Participants were also administered a compound that allowed scientists to measure brain blood flow while they were tanning.

Dr. Adinoff, who also is a staff physician at the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System, said the next step is to create technology to further study brain changes among frequent tanners.

Other UT Southwestern researchers involved in the study were Dr. Heidi Jacobe, assistant professor of dermatology; Dr. Michael Devous, professor of radiology; and Thomas Harris, senior research scientist. Former dermatology resident Dr. Cynthia Harrington served as lead author.

The study was funded by the Department of Dermatology at UT Southwestern. Dr. Steven Feldman of Wake Forest University donated the ultraviolet radiation filters used in the tanning bed, and GE Healthcare donated the radioligand, the compound that traced the brain changes.