A Former Vegan Confesses Health Dangers

Good Afternoon All,

I don't think it is possible to be any busier. That is my life's dilemma actually. I am so lucky that I have the opportunity to fulfill my life's purpose through my job as a Personal Trainer, Nutrition Specialist and Lifestyle Consultant. As far as I am concerned that is a working definition of success. The problem is that as the business grows so do the demands on my time. The obvious solution to employ staff doesnt work because it pulls me away from the core business...helping clients on a one to one, face to face basis achieve positive change in their lives.

This is the second blog in a row that I have not managed to post first thing in the morning. Furthermore, this blog is a 'cheat in that it is simply a link to an article that I have not written! I have posted it in the Members' Articles section on this website. 

However, by way of justification, this is probably one of the most fascinating articles I have ever read.

It digs into not only the nutritional problems that this blogger had with her veganism, but also goes deep into the emotional and mental struggles that she was dealing with, as well as the scrutiny from the vegan community.

Click here to read this article that shows how this woman almost destroyed her health by being a vegan.

This will only take you about ten minutes to read but it is exceptionally thought provoking and interesting. It will make you re-think what you believe. Time well spent.

Your Friend and Coach

Age Lowther

3 Foods You MUST Avoid

Good Afternoon...yes...afternoon All,

Really busy today and have only just completed the morning clients. So a late blog for you. Also uncharacteristically I am going to keep it short...

Three foods you simply must avoid no matter what your goals...

1) Processed foods from a bag or a box. For example, avoid breakfast cereal - some give you the same amount of sugar as you get from a can of Coke!

2) Carbohydrate snacks. (Seriously, who has ever been satisfied by a granola bar? No one! They just make you want more!)

3) Liquid calories - But you already knew that, right? Well if so, why are you still sucking back all that sugar each morning with a glass of OJ?

Have a great Monday,

Your Friend and Coach

Age Lowther

Big Fat Lies (6)

Good Morning All,

Although it is a little heavy going for a Saturday, when I usually post something a little more light hearted, I wanted to complete this series of 'Big Fat Lies'. So without further ado, here is Lie Number 6...

LIE NUMBER 6 - Losing fat can be accomplished without hard work.

If someone is eating poorly and not exercising, then they can often begin losing fat very quickly and easily, relative to their previous disappointing results. All they have to do is improve their nutrition and exercise habits and a quantum leap can often be made.

With that distinction made, let me state unequivocally that permanent fat loss is never really “easy.” There is always effort and discipline involved, as there is with any worthwhile achievement. Endlessly searching for an easier way, a magic bullet, miracle cure, a holy grail, is a misguided quest.

Losing fat is very simple, but for most people it is not easy. There's a big difference between simple and easy:

"Simple" means there is nothing complicated about the process - it's like algebra; just plug in the numbers where the X's and Y's are, and the formula always produces the correct result.

"Easy" implies that something can be done with little or no effort. Anyone who tells you they've discovered an “easy” way to lose fat is lying.

Getting a lean and muscular body requires two things:

1) You must be willing to work hard

2) You must be patient

The problem with many people is that they shy away from anything that appears to be hard work. They’re always looking for short cuts. As soon as they see something that promises results "quickly," "easily," "effortlessly," "while they sleep," "without exercise," and so on, they whip out their wallets and take the bait, hook, line and sinker.

Shortcuts always fail! Take a shortcut and you're going to get lost, fall into a deep hole, or smack into a brick wall!

Everything worth having in life has a price attached to it - EVERYTHING!

If you want a lean and muscular body, you must be willing to pay the price for a lean and muscular body. STOP looking for easy ways. Just pay the price and it’s yours – and it’s yours for life, because you didn’t depend on the crutch of a short-term gimmick.

Make no mistake; people with great bodies, especially bodybuilders and fitness models, have worked very hard for a very long time to get where they are. Many are in their early 40’s and have been training for 10, 15, even 20 years.

It's an absolutely unbreakable law of the universe that you can't get something for nothing. Your results will come in direct proportion to the amount of effort you put in. You can only reap what you sow.

Here at Altered Images we make it as easy as possible for you...but as one of our testimonials says; you get out of it what you put in to it. 

Are you ready to take responsibility for your own body. Are you ready for the challenge. If so, take action now and drop in for your free consultation. Remember, we are the only health and fitness professionals who guarantee results.

Your Friend and Coach

Age Lowther

Big Fat Lies (5)

Hello Folks, 

A few technical hitches have had me struggling this morning but here is the next in the series of Big Fat Lies...

LIE NUMBER 5 - YOU NEED SUPPLEMENTS TO LOSE FAT

Exercise, nutrition, proper mental attitude (positive self-image) and a support network are the only things you need to lose fat permanently. Supplements are not a requirement. Some basic supplements are helpful for “nutritional insurance,” and some can help speed up the fat loss process a little, but not nearly as much as the advertising leads you to believe.

Even supplements that have been proven effective are only responsible for a tiny fraction of the results you achieve. Based on 20 years experience I believe that at least 98% of your results will come from good training and good nutrition. This being so, it does not make any sense to chase after that last 2% “edge”.

FOCUS ON YOUR NUTRITION AND TRAINING PROGRAM FIRST!

Believe it or not, advanced trainees, competitive bodybuilders or athletes will probably benefit more from using supplements than beginners. High-level athletes are more likely to have "maxed-out” their training and nutrition programmes. Their diets are impeccable. Their training is intense. Their discipline is unwavering.

The closer you get to your ultimate genetic potential, through intelligent, intense, methodical training together with quality nutrition, the slower your progress will become. Progress can and will continue indefinitely, but as you reach higher levels of achievement, this is when supplements and other “minor” details make the most difference.

In world-class athletics, competitions can be won or lost by hundredths of a second, a tenth of a point, a fraction of a pound, or a single judge’s opinion. The extra 2% that supplements might provide could be the difference between winning and losing.

Now consider the average beginner or an ordinary person trying to lose some body fat. They will almost certainly be eating junk foods and skipping meals. It is probable that they are not even working out appropriately, consistently or even at all. Yet what do they do FIRST? You guessed it; they immediately run out searching for a "shortcut" in the form of a pill or powder.

It's a shame that so many people look for easy ways instead of making the effort to learn how to eat and train better.

It makes no sense to dive into supplementation first in the hope of finding an easier way. Get your nutrition and training in order and maximize the first 98%. Only THEN start nit-picking and sweating the small stuff to help you fulfil 100% of your potential.

Supplements should be the icing on the cake. If anyone tries to convince you that supplements are essential and that you can’t reach your fat loss goals without them, beware; they are probably just trying to sell you something.

Your Friend and Coach

Age Lowther

Big Fat Lies (4)

Good Morning Folks,

Absolutely itching to go out on my bike on this lovely morning but I need to get this blog online first. So, a little earlier than usual here is Lie Number 4...

LIE NUMBER 4 - Low carbohydrate diets are the best way to lose body fat permanently.

No diet issue has created more confusion and controversy than the low carbohydrate vs. high carbohydrate debate.

Contrary to what certain diet "guru's" tell you, carbohydrates are not fattening. It’s a flat out LIE to say, "carbohydrates are fattening."  What's fattening is eating more calories than your body can use at one time.

It is true that some people lose weight more quickly on a low carbohydrate diet (that's not the same thing as saying carbohydrates are fattening.) Despite this, very low carb diets are not the answer to permanent weight loss. Even for carb-sensitive, insulin resistant, hypoglycemic people who respond well to less carbs and more protein/fat, there are still many drawbacks:

1) Very low carb diets are difficult to stick to. If you remove most of your carbohydrates from your diet for a long period of time, you’re setting yourself up for a relapse. The more you cut back the carbs, the bigger the rebound will be when you put carbs back in. That's why 95% of people gain back all the weight they lose on a very low carb diet.

2) Very low carb diets are often unbalanced and missing many nutrients. The optimal diet for long term maintenance is one that has balance between protein, carbs and fats and includes a wide variety of foods, not an overemphasis on one food or food group.

3) Very low carb diets may be unhealthy. Many low carb diets allow large amounts of saturated and processed fats.  But it's probably not wise to eat large amounts of saturated fat and it’s never wise to eat processed fats or trans-fats. Although the effects of low carb, high fat/protein diets on various health markers is still up for debate, most people would be best to opt for a diet that is low in fat (below 30% of total calories) and moderate in carbs and protein.

4) Very low carb diets cause your energy levels to plummet. You will feel tired and irritable without carbs.

5) The weight loss on a very low carb diet can be deceiving. You may lose weight if you don't eat carbs, but much of the initial loss will be muscle and water. Losing 5lbs in one week sounds impressive, but if one pound is fat, two pounds are water and two pounds are muscle, what did you accomplish? Your goal should never beweight loss. Your goal should be fat loss.

Most people will lose fat simply by adding a regular exercise routine to their schedule and by applying the nutritional basics; like eating small frequent meals, controlling portion sizes, cutting down on unhealthy fats, avoiding sugar and refined foods, etc.

Extremely low carbohydrate diets are not necessary, probably not healthy, are hard to stick to, and no fun! It's usually not wise to go to extremes in anything and that’s as true for nutrition as anything else in life: moderation is the key.

Your Friend and Coach

Age Lowther

Big Fat Lies (3)

Good Morning All,

As promised here is Lie Number 3...

LIE NUMBER 3 - YOU CAN BELIEVE ALL YOU READ IN THE MAGAZINES

Most magazine publishers own supplement companies and use their magazines as the primary means for promoting their products. Certain well known magazines have been doing this for decades. One day, it dawned on the rest of them that more money could be made selling supplements than selling advertising or subscriptions. Before long, every publisher jumped on the bandwagon and started supplement companies.

You see, magazines have mega-credibility. After all, they can’t print a lie right there on paper, can they? If it’s in print, it must be true, right? They’d get in some kind of trouble if it wasn’t true wouldn’t they? Maybe. Maybe not.

Editorials are more believable than advertising (that’s why they try to make ads look so much like articles these days). Most people will believe almost anything if it’s printed in a "reputable" medium such as a nationally circulated magazine. That's why magazines are the perfect vehicles for promoting supplements.

Did you ever notice how many magazine articles are about the latest, greatest "breakthroughs" in supplements? These "articles" aren't really articles at all; they’re nothing more than advertisements in disguise! (with a free telephone hot line number for easy ordering at the end… how convenient!)

Even if a magazine doesn't have a vested interest in a supplement line, you still can't count on them to reveal the whole truth to you because they don't want to offend the deep-pocketed companies that are spending big money to advertise. A full-page ad in a high circulation national magazine can cost tens of thousands of pounds. With this kind of money at stake, do you think any magazine will print an article saying “supplements don't work” and on the next page, run an ad for the same supplements they are criticising? Not likely is it?

It’s in the magazine’s best interest to promote supplements like crazy, regardless of whether they work or not, because the more supplements that are sold, the more the supplement companies will advertise. The more they advertise, the more supplements they sell, and on and on the cycle goes.

Don't believe everything you read.

Question everything.

Use your head.

Use common sense and your own good judgment.

Beware of hidden motives.

Just because it's right there in black and white doesn't mean it's the truth. If it sounds too good to be true…it probably is.

Your Friend and Coach

Age Lowther