It is also widely thought that exercise can facilitate the weight loss process. In the short term, this is true. Extra activity can be effective in the early stages of a diet. Yet most don’t realize that the traditional “cardio”-type activities may actually be counterproductive for over the long term.

Ideally, what we would like to do is find the proper balance between diet and exercise. We would like to find the right exercise that will optimize fat loss while stimulating muscle growth. By stimulating muscle growth, the body discriminately sheds fat only, preserving bones, organs, and nervous tissues in the process.

We can look at the difference between indiscriminate and discriminate as a business model. Picture the human body as a corporation that is run by a Board of Directors. Let’s assume that the body running on a calorie deficit (diet) is like a corporation operating on a budget deficit. Each of the body tissues represents a different department within that corporation. Let’s examine two possible scenarios:

Scenario 1:

There is a budget (calorie) deficit and no department has any unusual demands. Therefore layoffs can happen in all departments. So your body lays off some fat, some muscle, some bone and connective tissue, along with some nervous tissue. Your corporation (or body) becomes a smaller version of its former self.

Scenario 2:

We still have the same budget, or calorie deficit, but now we have a large demand placed on the muscle department. Thus no layoffs can occur in the muscle department. In fact, we may have to hire on more muscle to keep up with the demand. Because of this greater demand in the muscle department, we cannot produce cutbacks in the bone and connective tissue department because we need the support. Muscle tissue is not effective unless connected to strong bone and strong connective tissue. Also, we can’t layoff any nervous tissue, because the new muscle tissue is useless unless it is innervated by new nervous tissue. To make up the difference between the budget deficit and the demand, the only place we can cut back is in the fat department. Lay offs can only occur in the fat department. Then once the necessary layoffs are complete, resources previously deposited to the fat department must be used to make up the budget deficits in the other departments. This results in a lean, efficient business (body).

The bottom line in weight loss is a nutritionally balanced, calorically-controlled diet. The bottom line in exercise is efficient, mechanical loading of muscle. All direct physical benefits of exercise follow from this fundamental principal. Permanent, healthy fat loss is the result of the proper balance between the two.

]]> http://www.dennisbeckman.com/2009/01/04/28/feed/ 0 http://www.dennisbeckman.com/2008/12/16/rising-tide/ http://www.dennisbeckman.com/2008/12/16/rising-tide/#comments Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:57:27 +0000 admin http://www.dennisbeckman.com/?p=20 The economy is in the forefront of everyone’s mind these days. Over the years, we’ve been exposed to different economic theories, none of which I am qualified to discuss. However, we all have our opinions, so since this is my forum, I’ll throw my two cents in the ring (Bush-ism). My theory is not original, as I have heard many people express the same sentiment. However, I have thought about it for as long as I can remember.

I call my theory “Rising Tide Economics”. As in, “a rising tide lifts all boats”. No, it isn’t about wealth redistribution by the government. It’s about what the rich teach their children about money, and what the poor and middle class do not. It is about education – starting at the preschool level.

The 25th Anniversary Edition of Forbes Magazine interviewed the 400 richest people in America. They were asked “What is the most important key to building wealth?” and 75% of those interviewed said “becoming and staying debt free” is the #1 key to building wealth. Now, becoming debt-free does not make you wealthy. It does lay the foundation essential for getting your money to work for you.

Having said that, I do not mean to imply that all debt is undesirable. There is good debt and bad debt. Simply stated, good debt can make you rich, and bad debt makes you poor. Trouble is, most people have too much of the latter, and few know the difference. With good debt, you leverage assets to create cash flow over and above the underlying debt service. Our money works for us to earn income. Bad debt is that which causes cash to flow in the opposite direction, creating a liability, draining our resources.

I propose that we start teaching the financial ABC’s in addition to reading, writing and arithmetic. Let’s teach our children how to read a financial statement. Teach them the difference between an asset and a liability, and income vs. expense, and how they all relate to each other. It is a very simple concept, yet I believe that the reason that most people are resistant is that they themselves don’t really know the difference, because they haven’t been taught. However, it isn’t rocket surgery (another Bush-ism). Anyone can learn these basic principles.

Financial literacy is essential to an economically vibrant society. The Rising Tide of Financial Literacy raises all boats, and I believe it can do more than “bailouts” to get us out of the mess we are currently experiencing. Let’s make informed, responsible decisions with our money so we don’t have to rely on the government.

To find out more about becoming more financially literate, visit United First Financial.