You can't buy fitness in a bottle Published April 10, 2007 By Master Sgt. Sarah Frankenhoff 100th Air Rueling Wing Public Affairs RAF MILDENHALL, England -- I know you've seen them. They're those super hot guys and girls in those ads in magazines and on TV modeling for every weight-loss metabolizing pill out there. I have to admit, they do look great, and their before/after photos are fantastic! But, did you ever notice the small disclaimer down at the bottom of the page that states, "Results not typical"? You'll be hard pressed to find one that doesn't have a disclaimer like that. We're such a "have to have it now" type of society that for most people the thought of discipline and hard work to achieve a weight and fitness goal is just out of the question. Why work that hard when all you have to do is take a pill right? Wrong! I know firsthand that those pills aren't going to get you where you need to be. Now I'm not saying there's never a purpose for such products. Ask most bodybuilders or fitness competitors, and they'll be able to give you their own scientific reasons for using them. Even so, the average consumer isn't a bodybuilder or fitness competitor. Years ago, I too fell prey to those shiny ads promising a "New and better-looking you." I took them, and they did give me energy. Just ask anyone who worked with me then. They all wanted to strangle me! When my metabolizing induced super energy kicked in, I'd try to convince all of them we could clean every machine in the shop and with every piece of equipment we owned. This didn't go over so well. Of course I'd start these large projects myself (since no one seemed as motivated as me) and then halfway through, I'd come crashing down off my way-too-temporary high. Insert image of total shop destruction here. Besides irritating everyone I worked with, what was I doing to physically improve my fitness level? Nothing. That's because I was banking on the hopes that the shiny bottle of pills I was buying was going to get me to where I wanted to be. In my quest for "uber fitness" I have found a few things to be true. There is no quick fix. Slow and steady is the key to long term weight management, fitness improvement and lowering the chances of injury. Don't go overboard all at once because you're likely to suffer from burnout. I know, I know, you've herd this all before. I really don't' think that I am introducing any incredible breaking news here. So why can't people jump on board the fitness express? One simple reason - they're not ready. They're not willing to make the lifestyle change it takes to get them there. My suggestion - wait. I see people set themselves up for failure by going into a new routine with good intentions only to fall off. Unfortunately, a lot of times they end up putting the weight back on, and then some. When you're ready, you'll know. You'll know when you're willing to give up all of those bad binge-beer-drinking, burger-eating vices. Then go for it! I often have people approach me to ask what my routine is and what supplements I take. Almost every time I get a blank stare when I describe what I do. And inevitably there will be a look of disappointment when I let them know that aside from vitamins and Glucosamine, I don't take anything. Mostly I find that people don't really want to hear what I have to say. Shoot, I don't even like what I have to say. It's just not a very fun answer. But the bottom line is, you have to understand a ratio that is ugly but true - in order to lose and manage your weight, a good ratio is 80 percent diet and 20 percent exercise. That's right. The majority of your concentration needs to be on getting control of what you are shoveling into your mouth. It's portion control people! You also have to look at what it is that you're eating. Would you put cheap convenience-store gas into your high-performance vehicle? Of course not. Your body is no different. It's your very own high performance operating machine. Treat it with some respect. You just can't expect to go out and run, bike, swim or whatever gets you moving when you have just gobbled up some McBlah the night before. The bottom line is that it takes time, effort and the willingness to try. First, set a goal. Then make a plan on how you are going to reach that goal. Put it in writing. Hold yourself accountable to your plan. If I could leave you with some advice it would be this. The answer to your fitness questions can not be found at the bottom of a bottle. Now put down the junk food and hit the gym!