Ask the Anytime Gal | Fitness Matters

Expert answers to your health and wellness questions                                              

By Maura Trainor

Question:  What’s the difference between someone eating vegan vs. eating vegetarian?

Answer:  Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes meat (including game, slaughter by-products, fish, shellfish, and poultry) and within this practice of eating there are four categories.  Vegans only eat plant-based food, eliminate not just meat, but also dairy (and all by-products), eggs, and honey.  The most significant difference when someone says they are vegan vs. vegetarian is the philosophy behind the vegan way of life, whose adherents seek to also exclude the use of animals for clothing, or any other purpose.  Lacto-vegetarians eat plant-based foods and milk products.  Lacto-ovo-vegetarians eat plant based foods, diary, and eggs.  Flexitarians eat plant-based food and occasionally or limited their frequency of eating meat.

Question:  I keep hearing that CrossFit workouts are unsafe.  What should I be aware of if I decide to try CrossFit?

Answer: The possibility of injury is an increased risk with participation in any type of exercise, especially a high-intensity fitness regimen like CrossFit.  A CrossFit workout combines strength training, explosive plyometrics, speed training, Olympic and power-style weight lifting, kettlebell work, body weight exercises, and endurance exercises. Training the CrossFit way requires you to workout 3-5 times per week at a very intense pace.  Most workouts are performed in a circuit style, moving from one exercise to another with little to no rest.  It’s best to have a sufficient strength base before starting CrossFit.  If you are new to Olympic weight lifting and plyometric exercises, don’t worry as each CrossFit affiliate has a one-month initiation course, which newcomers must complete to learn proper training technique for all of the major exercises performed in the CrossFit program (or, they SHOULD and you should participate for best results).  Ask about credentials and references for any affiliate coaches and personal trainers who will be responsible for teaching you the essential CrossFit exercises.  You’ll want a coach that is trained in sports and conditioning and has a degree in exercise science or related field of study. 

About the author: Maura Trainor is the club manager and a Personal Trainer at Anytime Fitness in Norristown. To submit a question for future articles, please contact the author at plymouthmeetingpa@anytimefitness.com.