Jamcore Training Blog

By: Rick Schaff

– an excerpt from my book, MISLED

www.HEALTHandINSPIRATION.com

Health and fitness magazines and radio and television commercial producers often find themselves in precarious situations due to the nature of how they generate revenues; most of their profits are produced by selling advertising space. Unfortunately, that means that they often have little choice but to work with companies that distort the truth. Simply put, even publications and programs that have stated goals to provide beneficial information on health and fitness to their audiences are often forced to sell ad space or time to disingenuous companies to stay in business. In many cases, the articles and programming must frequently support the “fabulous results” their clients’ products claim to provide. My magazine DIVAS was in print for two years; this provided me with firsthand experience about the compromising decisions every magazine owner and/or publisher must face. Jeff Everson, former editor for Muscle & Fitness Magazine and current publisher of Planet Muscle Magazine stated the following about this situation:

“One of the biggest problems that magazines endure is their dependence on supplement ads to pay their bills. If you just tried to publish a magazine about real training, you would never make it. While one naturally tries to improve the industry, it would be suicide to bite the hands that feed you. As a result, one needs to take in a few bad messages to be able to afford to get the good messages out. It’s like being held hostage to stupidity and lies to get the truth out! A magazine typically gets about 20% return on money from sales and subscriptions… without paid advertisements you would be out of business quickly. Unfortunately, I do not think the situation can be changed any time soon because the dynamics of the markets have not changed.”

Another interesting fact most people don’t know is that some magazine publishers also own or have financial interest in many of the product lines you see advertised in their magazines. Translation: their magazines become catalogues to sell their products, and worse, their editorial articles become tainted by profit incentives and other financial influences. To quote marketing specialist, writer, and advertising producer Jeff Boxer:

“…From an ethical perspective, when this happens the essential line separating editorial authenticity and advertising has been compromised in an egregious manner. This is one of the most troubling and unfortunately effective forms of consumer deception. ”

Given Mr. Boxer’s statement, I would like to bring your attention to radio and television programming and/or commercial presentation. All of these venues have a definitive agenda, and that is to promote or sell something, whether that product meets its claims or not. Most disingenuous are the ones that masquerade as TALK SHOWS and/or serious NEWS programs, but are instead nothing more than camouflaged ADVERTISEMENTS. They typically follow a set formula to achieve their goals: a host, actor and/or celebrity works from a script supplied by the company selling the product, their ad agency, or an infomercial producer. Staged callers who can be either actors or entertainment wannabe’s (Fear Factor is a good example of what people are willing to do to be on camera) contribute to this charade by asking strategic questions or providing glowing testimonies designed to convince you that the product they are talking about has changed their lives in a dramatic way. Simply put, the entire “show” is nothing but exaggerated claims, lies, and misleading statistics. How do I know this? This charade has been offered to me on several occasions to sell my products. Most of the radio shows that seem to be serious investigative programs on health and healing are nothing more than elaborate advertisements. If you put out a new product, even with the best of intentions, you will soon find yourself inundated with scores of people willing to create misleading data, or say and promise anything to make your product a “hit.” For many, the lure of success can be too enticing to pass up, and as a result, they choose to take this compromising road.

A recent investigative report by Dateline dramatically illustrated some of these points. The Dateline staff created a phony product called MOISTUROL, which was nothing more than capsules of milk-chocolate powder mix masquerading as a “miracle” skin moister enhancer. In order to sell the product they hired a marketing company to create an infomercial to promote and help sell this fake product. It is essential to note that the marketing company didn’t KNOW or CARE if the product was FAKE. Their only objective was to figure out how to market and sell the product successfully.

Among many of the disturbing elements involved in the production of this infomercial was a medical doctor’s willingness to take $5,000 to clinically substantiate the product’s effectiveness, with which she had zero personal and professional experience! A handful of women were also willing to testify (for the measly sum of $50 – hence the Fear Factor mentality of doing anything to be on camera) that the product had given them “remarkable results.” One woman went so far as to claim that after taking the product a facial scar disappeared. The infomercial company happily took the $140,000 fee from the “Moisturol” company to create this convincing illusion. When the Dateline crew exposed the hoax by informing the participants that the product they had enthusiastically endorsed was just a mixture of chocolate powder and sugar, they quickly retracted their claims and/or or offered disturbing excuses as to why they lied. A seasoned marketing expert estimated that if the infomercial had aired as scheduled it would have sold over TEN MILLION dollars worth of product in the first year. More disturbing was his estimate that subsequent consumer fraud lawsuits (if any were filed) would award duped consumers only two million in penalties, at best. Final result: the worst-case scenario for the makers of this completely worthless product would be an EIGHT MILLION dollar profit. For Real!

Popularity: 6% [?]

Now that you’re enjoying that summer sun, here are some tips to keep your skin safe, smooth, & sexy!

First off, get to know the key terms that will help you stay healthy. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance that is present in large amounts in younger skin. The level of hyaluronic acid decreases with age, and causes skin to become dry and oily during the summer. Since hyaluronic acid creates a barrier that moisturizes the skin, adults can benefit from products that utilize the substance. When you’re selecting a moisturizer or lotion for the summer months, check the label and look for hyaluronic acid.

Next, be smart about the sun: wear sunscreen even on the cloudiest, most overcast day. UV rays are always dangerous, even when you can’t see the sun clearly. Take a good look at the products you are putting into and onto your body. Anyone taking an acne treatment such as accutane or benzoyl-peroxide should consult his or her dermatologist to see if a switch for the summer is possible. These medications make the skin more susceptible to sunburn. Another substance that makes the skin more sensitive is Vitamin A. As a result, more and more people are switching to Vitamin C-based lotions and moisturizers.

Popularity: 9% [?]

You know that milk is good for your bones, but did you know that it’s great for your muscles too? Recent research demonstrated that people who drink skim milk after weight lifting sessions lose more fat and gain more muscle than people who choose other beverages, including carbohydrate-laden energy drinks and soy protein beverages. In a controlled experiment, the skim milk group lost twice as much weight as the carbohydrate group. The soy group did not lose any weight at the end of the intense 5 session-per-week lifting program that lasted three months. In terms of muscle growth, the milk group gained about 40% more muscle mass than the soy group and 63% more than the carbohydrate group. Though the specifics of the mechanisms in play are not known, researchers are recommending milk as a post-workout pick-up that can help you burn fat and grow muscle.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Low sodium intake may lead to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, especially if you are consuming less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Scientists reported that adults who consumed less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day were 37% more likely to die from cardiovascular causes than those who ingested more than 2,300 mg. What’s worse, a low sodium diet increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. We all know that too much sodium can be dangerous as well, so how in the world do we find the happy medium?

The expert advice is that you should consume 15-20 mg of sodium per pound of bodyweight.

Example:

• For a woman weighing 120 lbs: 120×15 = 1800 mg of sodium daily.
• For a man weighing 210 lbs: 210×15 = 3150 mg of sodium daily.

Now with all this said, I know that a lot of people out there are going to say, “How can I do that? I have no idea how to measure my sodium intake and I certainly don’t have the time to go to the doctor’s to get tests done!”

Relax!  (which will also help lower your blood pressure).  All you have to do is check the sodium content in the food you eat. Read the nutritional information label on the back of every container of food to find this information. This will give you an idea of your total intake. 

Example:

• 1 tsp of salt = 2,325 mg of sodium
• 1 can light tuna = 558 mg
• 1 oz of peanut butter =230 mg
• 1 slice of bread = 170 mg

The easiest way to let your sodium check and balance itself is to eat only natural foods.  Do not buy canned goods.  Buy only fruits and veggies fresh from the grocery store, or better yet, a local farmer’s market.

Not only will this keep your sodium in check, but it will also keep your vitamin and mineral count closer to where it needs to be.  You need to be getting plenty of fruits and vegetables each day or your body will be starved for vital nutrients and antioxidants.

Popularity: 22% [?]

You’ve heard of the health benefits of green tea, but the new energy-boosting natural beverage of favor is white tea. Since it’s the least processed of all teas, it has the highest levels of the stimulating L-theanine amino acid. It also contains a fraction of the caffeine of other teas and coffee – one cup of coffee packs eight times as much caffeine as white tea.

Because of these advantages, white tea will keep you hydrated longer and is believed to produce a calming affect via the L-theanine. Studies have also found that white tea typically has higher antioxidant levels than other types of tea. Specifically, white tea’s high levels of polyphenol antioxidants are believed to play a role in regulating the growth and proliferation of cancerous cells. Most likely though, the first benefit you’ll notice is the extra energy you have all day long.

Popularity: 26% [?]

In the 90s, fat-free products deluged the marketplace. Dieters were in a frenzy to get their favorite foods, without the fat. Fast forward to today, and you can still get everything from fat-free ice cream and cookies to fat-free hot dogs. Many weight watchers believe they are sticking to strict diet plans by using fat-free foods, but when you eat one of these foods, what are you really eating?

Most diet foods like these replace the fat with sugar, and each serving still packs a powerful caloric punch. Sometimes, fat-free foods actually have MORE calories than their normal counterparts. The best foods are those that are low in calories AND fat, not one or the other.

There are several ways to control your fat intake without turning to fat-free snacks. One method is to simply watch what you eat and still consume small portions of high-fat products like cookies or cakes. Another is to eat foods that are naturally low in fat and calories, but still taste delicious, such as fruits and vegetables. Yet another tip is to add foods that may be high in fat but have health benefits, like almonds or avocado, to your diet. Here are 10 alternatives to fat-free snacks:

1. Wheat or whole-grain pita bread with 1 tablespoon hummus – Though the chickpea-based dip is high in fat, it is also high in nutrients and will leave you filling satiated.
2. Avocado sandwich – Place ½ of a sliced avocado on two pieces of whole-wheat bread. Use pepper and salt to season, and add low-calorie mustard or a tomato for more flavor.
3. 1 oz. walnuts & ¼ cup dried fruit - Salty, sweet, and nutritionally sound!
4. Cheese & crackers – Whole-grain, low-fat crackers combined with reduced-fat cheese can be a winning combination, but remember serving size: 1 to 1.5 oz of cheese and 2-6 crackers, depending on the type.
5. Fruit smoothie – Blend your favorite fruits along with ice, skim or 2% milk, or low-fat yogurt for a frozen treat.
6. Rice cakes – Rice cakes are naturally low in fat. Flavored cakes are available that are low in calories but have more taste than the plain variety. Since rice cakes are not always the most fulfilling food, add a glass of skim milk, piece of fruit, or box of raisins to this snack.
7. Pretzels – Try a handful of pretzels in the middle of the day to prevent overeating. Even better are the low-sodium, unsalted pretzels.
8. Air-popped popcorn – Skip all the fat that the microwave versions add and enjoy a few healthy handfuls of popcorn. If you’re missing the salt and butter, try a teaspoon or two of cinnamon/sugar topping or chili powder (be sure to get a brand with low sodium).
9. Chips and fruit salsa – Reduced-fat tortilla chips cooked with canola oil, topped with mango or other fruit salsa, are fine in moderation.
10. Yogurt with granola – Ever tried the McDonald’s fruit and yogurt parfait? This is similar, but you can make it even healthier with your own mix-ins. Add low-fat granola and/or berries to plain, low-fat yogurt and enjoy a delicious dessert.

Popularity: 40% [?]

Have you ever looked at your checking account and been surprised to see that the balance was lower than you expected it to be? I think we’ve all been there before. At first you think, “There’s no way I spent that much money!” Then, as you look further, you begin to uncover all the small stuff that created the big problem.

Big problems can creep up on you because the little stuff adds up quick. The same applies to our diet: it’s all the extras that can get us in trouble. Condiments, salad dressings, snacks, cream and sugar – they add a lot of extra calories to our diet. Unfortunately, most people have no idea how many calories they are taking in.

Dieting is all about checks and balances. The only difference is most of us don’t balance our “diet account” to see where we stand. That habit would never fly when it comes to our money. Most of us can’t afford to just keep writing checks without reconciling our account. The truth is we really can’t afford to ignore how much we eat either. Eventually it will catch up with you.

We can fool ourselves into thinking we don’t have to count calories, but just because we don’t count them doesn’t mean that they aren’t there. The only difference is no one is there to cut you off once you’ve gone “over the limit” like the bank does when you are in the red.

Managing calories is like writing a budget. It takes a little time in the beginning but, as you begin to journal your food, you quickly learn what you can and cannot afford to eat. The good news is, unlike managing your bank account, you don’t have to do it forever. The hardest part is initially learning the discipline.

You may be a good steward of your money, but are you a good steward of your body? Your body is the most valuable asset you have. Maybe it’s time to use some checks and balances with your health.

Popularity: 51% [?]

You may have heard the news about a Belgian study that’s making waves around the globe: long-term use of oral contraceptives may increase women’s risk for artery buildup and heart disease. Experts caution that this is only one relatively small study done on high-estrogen-dosage birth control pills; however, there are some steps you can take right away if you want to reduce your risk for heart disease. Because of the huge amount of oral contraceptive consumers, more research is being carried out to further explore the relationship between contraceptive usage and heart disease. In the mean time, women are advised to lower their risks in other ways. A few steps to take include regular exercise, following a balanced and healthy diet, and being smoke-free; at this time, no one is advising women to stop taking the pill. And as always, your doctor can help put you on a plan that’s right for you.

Popularity: 78% [?]

Think about when you hear of a friend or relative who just had a new baby, life anew, endless possibilites and the true value of life all comes to mind. Years later, lots of life and something has changed, you will spend a few hours watching TV, time working on the house, car tune-ups every three thousand miles, but you won’t even schedule a dentist appointment or address that pain in your back.

Things people say to stop themselves from getting fit and healthy

• I don’t have time

• I need to make time

• I gotta get on with it

• I need a goal

• I love food too much

• It’s hard!!

The question is will these thoughts come into your mind when you lying in a hospital bed? If you have ever worked out you probably know the heath and energy you get back, 40 minutes usually is repaid in spades with a better daily energy level, better appearance and improved quality of life. Pick yourself up, and spend 40 minutes daily looking after your health, because it’s the best wealth.

Popularity: 66% [?]

Recently a major magazine asked us about “lazy man’s” nutrition. Well, lazy or simply stressed out and busy, there are great tips for both women and men to make small changes with a healthy difference.

In this first of a two-part series, our certified nutritionist and NHL/NFL consultant Brian Zehetner offers some quick ideas.

Brian says, “Overhauling your lifestyle can be quite a task, so take the ‘baby steps’ approach and work on one thing at a time. Simple substitutions of one item or another can help you change your nutrition habits slowly, but surely…and permanently.”

1. When eating salads, switch out the lettuce for spinach… more nutritional bang for your buck.

2. For any of you guys and gals who typically eat lots of red meat, substitute some fish twice a week… go with salmon, tuna, herring or even some shellfish (shrimp or crab).

3. If you drink alcohol watching the games or during happy hour, go for light beer or maybe rum and diet coke… save some of your calories for actual food.

4. If you like to eat chips with your beverages, why not choose the baked ones — plenty of variety, and they taste pretty good too. Pretzels or even whole grain crackers with low fat cheese would be a ‘better’ option.

5. Make sure to buy plenty of fruit (keep 4 different varieties in the house at all times) and keep it visible. It’s hard to eat when it’s buried in the bottom crisper drawer in the fridge.

6. Try to buy whole grain breads — look on the ingredient list to see if it is truly whole grain, and shoot for ones that have at least 3-5 grams of fiber per slice.

Popularity: 54% [?]