It has never been easier than today to acquire information on any and every subject. Our fingertip proximity and split second access to knowledge is indeed a wonderful resource. However, it has created a world in which opinion and advice have become unlimited and unregulated, and as such understanding, and decision-making have become increasingly difficult to execute.
There is probably no space where this is more prevalent than the fields of health, fitness and nutrition. In an industry that has always struggled with conflicts of opinion and contrasting schools thought, we are now exposed to a daily onslaught of ‘information’ and ‘misinformation’, science and pseudoscience, fads and fashions, across every conceivable platform, from an ever-increasing population of ‘experts’ and ‘influencers’.
I have witnessed more cyclical change and transient fads that you can shake a power plate at: the Boot Camp culture, Ab Rollers, Insanity & Zumba; and Atkins, Dukan, Slim Fast and the Cabbage Soup diets, to name but a few. I can categorically say, however, that there has never been a period in time where the variety and diversity of options and our exposure to them, have been as great as during the last 3-4 years. This owes largely to the explosive advances in technology, access to information and, of course, social Media, which we have witnessed over this time.
Every day we are introduced to the latest advances in technology, artificial intelligence, wearables or ‘silver bullet’ products that will accelerate weight loss, fat loss, muscle gain or all three at the same time! The newest ‘one-size-fits-all’ diet plan and accompanying cookbook is never more than a tabloid away and todays latest ‘celebrity’ workout and essential supplement line or product endorsement is waiting for you next time you scroll down. Anyone with more than a passing interest in Health and Fitness can take a deeper dive into the fringe world of ‘bio-hacking’ and all of the weird and wonderful protocols and products which advocates in this space claim can give you super powers and help you live to 120.
Don’t get me wrong: I am fascinated by and passionate about understanding much of this stuff. I invest hours in educating myself, researching and experimenting with many of latest concepts, practices and cutting-edge products and am hugely excited by the increasing role that technology is playing in the management and enhancement of our industry.
Exciting and enticing as all of this is, however, I believe that the vast majority of people in today’s society would benefit from a slightly more reductionist approach when it comes to making basic and fundamental improvements to their health, fitness and wellness.