Should I...?

On a regular basis I am asked, “Should I …”, fill in the blank. Should I start taking X supplement? Should I start X activity? Should I start X diet or begin X lifestyle habit? The answer just about always requires context. There are some general blanket approaches but most often, we need more information to accurately assess.

With so much information out there it can be hard to figure out what is right for you.

Since the article, “So what do you do”, where I wrote about what I personally do and use on a regular basis I am asked even more frequently about supplements. Most often I encourage people to get their comprehensive blood work done so they can answer that question for themselves. The answer lies in your unique deficiencies or in some cases, what you have too much of. One does not need more vitamins if they are not deficient. If you often get outside you may not need Vitamin D, but maybe due to skin pigmentation you need extra. Women often hear they need iron, but maybe you regularly eat meat throughout your week and are actually high in iron. You will not know until you test. Do you need testosterone or estrogen? Hard to say unless we know where your levels are, or even better, how your levels have trended over time. Getting your bloodwork done and consulting with a professional is the best practice.

Weight training is now the form of exercise in the spotlight and many are either starting or asking if they should start. Generally my answer is yes when asked if someone should be lifting weights. There is nothing more effective for building muscle, strength and bone density. However, depending on the individual there may be certain styles, frequencies or approaches that will be safer or more appropriate.

Diet and nutritional approaches are quite possibly the most effective lever we can pull when trying to make healthy changes. “Should I stop eating carbohydrates?” It depends. Do you have an abundance of stored energy in the form of body fat? Do you have elevated blood sugar content or triglycerides? Then most likely yes, but how you do this matters. I would not recommend going to zero on day one. Conversely, if you need to add muscle, carbohydrates can be a huge contributor to helping you gain lean tissue. Another factor could be frequency and intensity of the exercise you participate in as carbohydrates are a huge fuel source for the body.

Lifestyle habits are even more diverse. “Should I be cold plunging?” If you have access to one and are taking care of the macro level lifestyle habits, then adding cold plunging to your routine has its place. Consider it an accessory, not main objective. It certainly has benefits and if you like it, go for it. “Do I need to walk with a weighted vest?” Not necessarily, but if you want to add intensity to your workouts or need more load bearing activity then it could be a good addition. “Should I do a 72 hour water fast with my friends?” Personally, I would start with a 16-24 fast to assess tolerance and how you react to low blood sugar and hunger regulation. Yes, there are benefits but jumping into the deep end on day one is not advisable. Start with intermittent fasting or even just eating less.

With all of these examples, there are follow up questions. It helps to work with a Doctor, nutritionist, trainer, healthcare professional etc. If you are curious about any of these examples or have other questions, please contact me in the app or email me.