It seems to be a part of human nature to latch onto something you believe in, and reject anything that opposes or doesn't exactly fit with your beliefs. I know all about it, I'm stubborn as hell. People are so dogmatic about such silly things sometimes. The result of all this stubborn dogmatism is that opinions become polarized, and the middle ground is an incredibly treacherous zone, where people from both sides are firing at will.
There was an article floating around on the internet a few weeks ago about how crossfit can kill you. There is a medical condition called rhabdomyolysis, that is caused by an excessive breakdown of muscle tissue. When you exercise you cause micro-damage to muscle fibers, the healing process then rebuilds the muscle, hopefully bigger and stronger than it was previously. When the muscle is broken down some proteins are released into the blood stream. If too much muscle damage is caused, too much of this protein (called myoglobin) gets in the blood and screws up the kidneys. It can be deadly if it is bad enough. So, can crossfit kill you? Sure. If you are insane.
The article told the story of a woman who was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis after an intense crossfit workout, and it created a huge stir. Not surprisingly, the two warring factions came out to either support crossfit, or wave the I-told-you-so banners. No middle ground.
Crossfit is the only way to exercise. Carbs make you fat. Fat makes you fat. Lifting weights is the only way to build muscle. Bodyweight exercises are the best way to build muscle. Running will kill you. Running is the only way to lose fat. Do a search for anything related to exercise and nutrition. I guarantee that you will find two groups of people that have their sights trained on the other side and are just waiting to pull the trigger.
Moderation, where are you? Crossfit is awesome, in moderation. Carbs are healthy in moderation. Fats are healthy in moderation. Incorporate a little bit of each into your life and see if you don't feel better. I routinely have days where I eat lots of rice, sweet potatoes, and a maybe even some evil-gluten-laden-bakery treats. That's right, gluten- the Antichrist of the nutrition world. People have really latched onto the "gluten is the root of all evil" way of thinking. Gluten is bad, if you are gluten intolerant, which very few people are. That doesn't mean that donuts are good for you, but having a donut once in a while will not turn you into Jabba the Hut overnight.
I love lifting weights, but I also want to be able to walk on my hands, and do some gymnastics movements, so I throw crossfit style workouts into the mix, and do bodyweight exercises alongside weight training. Being strong and also able to move athletically sems like a sensible combination. For some reason though, this approach to exercise is considered blasphemous by many people in the exercise world. Pick a side, and proudly wave the flag.
Human beings have brains. We are able to rationalize, conceptualize, and come to conclusions based on evidence. Give yourself a pat on the back, you have evolved to think critically. The alternative is to revert back to being a turd chucking chimpanzee, and throw shit-balls at anyone who does not completely agree with your point of view.
Knowing that this polarization of information exists, you have to be able to look at things critically. Take this "crossfit will kill you" article for instance. You are probably aware of the fact that exercise is generally considered to be a healthy endeavor. You know that there are two opposing opinions regarding crossfit (and any type of exercise) as a good way to get healthy and fit. Finally, you also know that people have a tendency to do things to extremes. So, what is the actual message contained in the article? It could be that the author hates crossfit, the woman in the story pushed herself way to hard, and you can do crossfit without ever being hospitalized.
The article told the story of a woman who was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis after an intense crossfit workout, and it created a huge stir. Not surprisingly, the two warring factions came out to either support crossfit, or wave the I-told-you-so banners. No middle ground.
Moderation, where are you? Crossfit is awesome, in moderation. Carbs are healthy in moderation. Fats are healthy in moderation. Incorporate a little bit of each into your life and see if you don't feel better. I routinely have days where I eat lots of rice, sweet potatoes, and a maybe even some evil-gluten-laden-bakery treats. That's right, gluten- the Antichrist of the nutrition world. People have really latched onto the "gluten is the root of all evil" way of thinking. Gluten is bad, if you are gluten intolerant, which very few people are. That doesn't mean that donuts are good for you, but having a donut once in a while will not turn you into Jabba the Hut overnight.
I love lifting weights, but I also want to be able to walk on my hands, and do some gymnastics movements, so I throw crossfit style workouts into the mix, and do bodyweight exercises alongside weight training. Being strong and also able to move athletically sems like a sensible combination. For some reason though, this approach to exercise is considered blasphemous by many people in the exercise world. Pick a side, and proudly wave the flag.
Critical Thinking
Knowing that this polarization of information exists, you have to be able to look at things critically. Take this "crossfit will kill you" article for instance. You are probably aware of the fact that exercise is generally considered to be a healthy endeavor. You know that there are two opposing opinions regarding crossfit (and any type of exercise) as a good way to get healthy and fit. Finally, you also know that people have a tendency to do things to extremes. So, what is the actual message contained in the article? It could be that the author hates crossfit, the woman in the story pushed herself way to hard, and you can do crossfit without ever being hospitalized.
