Extremism. Don't be fooled by the fancy advertising.

The fitness industry survives on extremism. Everything is either the best or the worst. Healthy or unhealthy.  A new "this" or "that" guaranteeing you'll be leaner, stronger, faster, and- within just three weeks- likely to be cast as the next X-Men star.

It's sexier, more appealing, and marketable to sell extremes (examples include: the elimination of food groups, liquid diets, detoxing teas and products, workouts that promise to be more "fat burning" than other workouts, magical superfoods kissed by angels, supermodel diets, etc).

It's the same reason why reality tv shows have high ratings, AND why companies pay these "stars" to market their products. Like Kim K.'s sketchers, waist shapers, and teas.

But selling moderation, balanced, lives that are healthy and sustainable? Not so easy. My point? Don't be fooled by the hype. If something sounds too good to be true, it is. 

To help navigate any sort of decision in regards to deeming something "healthy" or "beneficial", here are three key questions to ask:

1. Compared to what? Okay, so perhaps dark chocolate and coconut oil are healthy for you...compared to what?

2. At what cost? Time? Money? Calories? If avocado is good for you and helps fight off disease, how many calories does that mean adding to your daily total?

3. According to whom? Who said it? Who sponsored it? Which study? Is the data valid for your circumstance? Is the data reflecting correlation not causation (99% of the time that's the case)?

Remember, the BEST product, diet, or exercise for any person is the one that they can maintain for a long period of time. Because guess what? Keto, juice diets, Weight Watchers, Zone, paleo, Whole 30....they ALL work! It's whether or not you can make it work as a lifestyle for the rest of your life and all of the ups and downs within it.