What are some of the most common fitness and nutrition questions?

In the confusion of fitness and nutrition we get some common questions.  While I will admit that you can find several different answers to these common questions here is what we typically recommend:

  1. How do I get a flat stomach? This is a popular one and is usually followed by the statement “but I have been doing crunches every morning for the last 2 weeks”.  Here is the harsh reality, if regionally dependent exercise burned body fat over the muscle being worked, everyone would have a 6 pack.  When it comes to abs, you eat your way into a 6 pack.  Body fat distribution around the mid-section can be telling as to what aspect of the diet is out of control.  Here is a general rule regarding bodyfat location:
    1. If the majority of your body fat is just off to the side of the belly button then there is a chance you are not sleeping enough or getting enough protein.
    2. If the majority of your body fat is off to the side near the “love handles” there is a good chance you are eating too many carbs on your diet.
    3. If you have both, don’t worry about the crunches, eat better and burn some calories.
  1. What is the best diet? Another common question with thousands of answers.  I will give you a set of rules that can be applied to most all diets but was made popular by Dr. Weston Price as he traveled the world studied the dental health of indigenous populations.  (www.westonaprice.org)
    1. Eat fresh foods (minimally processed)
    2. Eat fermented and sprouted foods (kimchi/sauerkraut/kombucha/kefir)
    3. Eat meat cooked on the bone and consume bone broth
    4. Eat organ meats (I know this can be a tough one…)
  1. What supplements should I be taking and what is the best brand? There is absolutely no right answer to this!  My primary population is professional hockey players and I generally tell them that I would prefer they try to improve their diet and then supplement as needed.  However, the International Olympic Committee just released a position statement commenting on how to choose and what supplements continue to show benefit in the research.
    1. Learn More Here

-Dr. Gary Bowman