Bad Things Trainers Do - A Hint of Hypocrisy

We live in a world where we can access professional advice for all areas of our life.

We can consult with an investment advisor on the best ways to save for retirement. We can meet with an accountant about tax strategies that would benefit our business. And we can work with a strength & conditioning coach as to the best ways to achieve the results in the least amount of time.


But what would you think if your advisor didn't follow the same advice they gave you? What if there was a case of 'do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do'?

Recently there was an example of such an instance. At our facility. With one of our own coaches!



After berating this poor coach for the better part of the day I said they would use this as an opportunity to explain why what they were doing was not good and what a better option would be.

And this has lead to the birth of a new blog series called 'A Hint of Hypocrisy'. Every now and again your coaches and trainers will share with you some of the decisions they make which are contrary to the advice they try and drill into you on a daily basis.

So sit back, relax and enjoy this inaugural installment of a Hint of Hypocrisy by Matt Baumeister.

Hi everybody,
Do you have a secret indulgence? I sure do, and I’m here to tell you all about it. But first, let me tell you about how it came about and why I love my treat so much. Can I get a drum roll please….everybody: my secret indulgence is Arizona Ice Tea. Why you ask? I love it simply because it reminds me of sitting on a beach with my good friends while basking in the hot Okanagan sun.


While it’s true that we all have our little vices, I am here today to tell you why mine may not be the most “health conscious choice”, and how we can easily make healthier solutions and choices for ourselves. One “serving” of Arizona Ice Tea contains a whopping 23 grams of sugar. Not too bad you say? Well unfortunately this delicious beverage is sold in 23 oz. “tallboy” style cans, which actually contains 3 servings. So a quick bit of math now tells us that if we were to drink one can, we would actually be consuming closer to 75 grams of sugar!! If we assume an average sugar cube to weigh approximately 3 grams, we would be consuming almost 25 sugar cubes in one sitting. I don’t know about you guys, but I think that is a lot of sugar cubes!
Now why, you may be asking yourself, is eating 25 sugar cubes not such a great idea? In the long term, chronically elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) can make an individual more susceptible to Type 2 Diabetes, a disease characterized by aberrations in blood sugar control and management. Diabetes, in turn places us at risk for a host of other complications such as blindness or peripheral neuropathy.
Now, before you read any further let me clarify my point. I am not suggesting that drinking Arizona Ice Tea engenders Type 2 Diabetes. I merely wanted to remind everyone the dangers of chronically elevated blood sugar levels. So now I find myself in a tricky situation: I can’t resist my secret temptation, yet I know my body doesn’t need all that sugar at once! What to do, what to do…
Fortunately, I have a solution: a lower sugar alternative that doesn’t sacrifice on taste. Enter Matt’s famous homemade Ice Tea! Not only does this delicious drink feature real brewed black tea, but also real lemon juice and a touch of natural honey. Start by steeping a few tea bags in boiling water for several hours, finishing with lemon to taste and a dash of honey. That’s all there is to it!
So, take home points? We trainers are just like you, prone to a few vices. However, as with most things, moderation is the key! So enjoy your treat from time to time, but don’t discount the healthier alternatives! Now it’s your turn: what is your secret indulgence?
Chris here again.

So I need to ask you all...what has your coach or trainer done that doesn't seem consistent with the advice you are being told to follow? Let us know in the comments sections. This will help in a number of ways.

1. You will learn that your coaches and trainers are human. They have cravings, slip up, fall off the wagon and make bad choices just like the rest of us.

2. You will become better informed as to why a particular habit or indulgence is not recommended for you. And this knowledge is power.

3. You will be provided with a healthier option so you can still have some fun but not pay the full price on your health.

Chris