Men’s Health is stupid.
I subscribe to Men’s Health. I know alot of people do and they like it just fine. But lately I noticed they are getting heavier and heavier on the fluff (aside from all the better sex video ads in the back). Lots of little tid bits of information without much substance. They seem to take the results of one small study and blow it up into an all inclusive statement:
“Eat a pound of raisins after working out because your body is teaming with free radicals and raisins have lots of antioxidants.”
Yeah? Will it really help? Or will all those free radicals be gone in 40 minutes when the raisins are finally digested?
Yesterday in the mail I got the ultimate in stupid from them. The Men’s Health Tips for 2005! Now aside from their 50 tips to live forever (which includes “watching a scary movie because anything that makes your heart race, makes your heart stronger”), they also have 7 pains you should never ignore. Number 2 jumped right out at me: Severe Back Pain!
And what do you think they said was the cause of severe back pain if it wasn’t from exercise? Yes, that right. An aneurism. The aorta just above the kidneys. You need to get a CAT scan and other cool stuff and then go on blood pressure meds or you’ll die.
Why do I feel like there is probably ALOT more to that story than they actually printed? Unless I really do have an aneurism. Did I mention I’m not feeling well today? It could be…Bubonic plaque!
I also find it amusing that in their list of Best Foods for Men, they list Best Snack Foods as: Pretzels, Potato Chips, Tortilla Chips, Corn Nuts, Cheese Puffs, Teddie Graham BearWiches, Popcorn (ok, this one was pretty good), and Dove Chocolate Bars. I noticed that NOWHERE did they list Best Fruits for Men, or Best Vegetables for Men, or Best Grains for Men. Fortunately, they did list also the Best Icecream Sandwich, Best Icecream, and Best Pizza.
What the heck has happened to the people at that magazine? After reading this, its no surprise that the executive editor had bypass surgery because he had clogged arteries.
Am I whining? Yeah, a little bit. I feel miserable and I didn’t get to run and there’s no frozen pizza in the house.
January 22nd, 2005 19:19
Uh oh, your men’s magazine is starting to sound like just about every women’s magazine. I am jealous about Bearwiches not being a Best Snack Food for women, but at least we get to Lose Weight On The Ice Cream Diet! So nyah nyah!
January 23rd, 2005 09:14
Do you at least get “50 things guaranteed to drive her wild in bed”? Every magazine for women, no matter what the topic, runs that article at least 4 times a year.
January 23rd, 2005 12:04
I think that’s one subscription you can let expire. Not enough respect for chocolate.
And I’ll bet your back is glad you missed a run. I’m wondering about mine. It always hurts more when my stride is short and easy vs. tempo or race speed. How is it for you?
January 23rd, 2005 13:23
You ought to try some of the better women’s mag’s for some of that info and much, much more B.S.
January 23rd, 2005 14:45
Interesting list of “good” snack foods. I wouldn’t be surprised if in about 2-3 issues they claim all those things are actually bad for you. I’ve noticed that happen a lot with women’s magazines. What was the best pizza?
Sorry that your back is giving you so much trouble. I hope the PT is able to help you out.
January 24th, 2005 09:58
Maybe you could subscribe to British version of Men’s Health? It is a little bit more substantial than US version according to my experience - even if the “fluff” is sadly increasing there as well. Muscle&FitnessHers is also great - more focused on weight lifting than running though (not to mention chocolate;))
January 24th, 2005 10:52
I like that magazine for silly reasons. I like it for this kind of overall “flow” or “feed” of supposedly healthy things. However, I could do without the sex sections (which are geared towards Maxim readers, it appears). But yes, loads of silly things.
January 24th, 2005 11:27
I thought I was at the wrong blog at first glance of the new colors and pic, kind of victoria’s secrety. er I mean appealing. I look over The Hub’s Men’s Health mag once in while it’s slightly better than Shape mag. I’m surprised they didn’t list PMS as one of the causes of back pain or did they?
January 24th, 2005 19:51
Nice new skin! I like it - I like it alot - makes me feel like eating the rest of my giant Toblerone bar that I’ve been working on for the past month.
January 25th, 2005 00:55
I like the new ‘do here! It looks great. Good enough to eat! - Mia
January 25th, 2005 10:13
Beth - do women’s mags really have “50 ways to drive *her* wild in bed” articles? If so, good for them, nice and progressive. And Jon? Its not DiGiorno, its delivery…
January 25th, 2005 10:37
It takes Marie a MONTH to eat a Toblerone?
Sorry Marie, but there is something wrong with you! ;)
January 25th, 2005 13:03
?Eat a pound of raisins”
GOOD LORD! That’s a lot of raisins!!
January 27th, 2005 14:07
I too can savor a Toblerone for weeks. *sigh*