Does FOMO Have You Jumping on the Latest Trend?

Growing up I was always told: eat everything in moderation, exercise for 20 minutes a day, and you'll stay fit. Today when I head to the gym, I'll see the person beside me deadlifting 300 pounds as I struggle with my 40. The voice inside my head says, “push yourself harder." So I plug my earphones in, blast Kanye West's "Stronger," and push myself harder. On social media, my feeds are flooded with decorative acai bowls and perfectly cut abs alongside trending hashtags like #Teatox #Cleaneating and #Crossfit. When did things change so much? This sounds nothing like the "moderation" advice I got!

Strenuous workouts and new diet regimes seem to be the benchmark for a so-called healthy lifestyle. But how do you know what's right for you? Following the latest health fads can be like investing: both require you to consider some key points to ensure you're going to get where you want to go without just jumping on a bandwagon.

1. Watch Out for FOMO

As people tout their green smoothies and fancy yoga poses all over our social-media feeds, we can be hit with what's known as FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out. Take "teatoxing" for example, a booming trend in the world of celebrity endorsements. The basic idea: a tea-based detox that promises an increased metabolism and flat tummy. But before boiling the kettle, you may want to ask yourself just how much those celebrity endorsements have influenced you. It's a good question to keep in mind when it comes to investments, too. A security may be getting a lot of attention in the media, but does that make it right for you? You may decide you want a fuller picture before making your decision.

2. Check Your Risk Comfort Level

A risk that's become associated with the extreme workout fad is rhabdomyolysis, or rhabdo for short. It's caused when muscle fibres break down and enter the bloodstream, resulting in kidney damage. Of course this isn't always the case, and heavy weight lifting and intense conditioning fitness programs have gained in popularity over the last few years. The general consensus in both the investing and fitness worlds is that products or routines with higher risk levels can have the potential for higher returns. Extreme workouts are often designed to get you results faster, but knowing how much risk you're willing to take on will help determine the right path for you.

3. Do Some Heavy Lifting with Your Research

Research can be especially important when trying to understand just what's driving certain trends. When it comes to health and fitness, knowing the specific ingredients of various "teatox" blends will help ensure you're making an informed decision about what you're putting in your body. Many diet products recommend consulting a doctor before beginning. Research and analysis in investing can also help you make smart portfolio decisions.

4. Know Where You're Headed

Have a clear picture of what you want to accomplish. If you're looking to lose weight quickly, then you may lean toward a fad trend that promises quick results. If you're in it for the long haul, that's where moderation can make a comeback — with a plan to limit junk food in general and find a favourite exercise to get you to your goal. Similarly, setting clear goals about what you're saving for and how long you've got to get there can help you figure out which investments fit well into your portfolio.