Reality Check

We have all heard it before, calories in equals calories out, but is that really true? There's a weight loss war raging and if you are not aware of this war, I really am not sure what planet you reside on.

Planet Earth to you: "Have you walked down the inner aisles of your local supermarket lately, err...really since you were able to walk baby girl?"  The nutro-garbage is everywhere. Run fast for your cellular life!

Oh, excuse me for my diversion so early into my blog, I think the frigid weather has frozen the synapses of my mind. We talked earlier about food, keepers or not so. Today I really wanted to chat a bit about the realities of weight loss, or for lack of better words, hahaha, the non-negotiables.

Exercise is only part of the weight loss picture. Fun and festivities in the gym is very good. It's essential but a healthy diet is foundational to your success.  Each of us is different (Thank you Jesus!) but I think the supermarket blip above proves that eating healthy or clean is just not easy nor inexpensive.  Grab hold and get a handle on what you eat. Journal your food.  Consider switching up to healthy alternatives and dare I say, just say no to overly processed junkfood (gasp!).  Junkfood in my book includes frozen dinners, dinners from a box, chips, etc.

Now-a-days it is not hard to find a place to get moving.  From home equipment to the big fitness centers, making exercise part of your day is usually a once a day deal.  Eating clean, on the other hand, is a five to six time deal per day.  Getting your diet in check is important and a healthy lifestyle includes incorporating both and then some.

Consistent exercise is essential to maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle.  No matter how we lose it, you have to move it baby to keep the weight off. In the long run it has been shown that those who lost weight by dieting alone were not as successful at maintaining their weight  as those who focused on maintaining their activity levels along with their healthy eating habits.

Food splurges may undo your weight loss efforts.  Here is where the rubber meets the road.  You know yourself and your limitations.  So I ask...how easy is it for you to fall off the wagon?  Can you have a small splurge and not spiral headfirst into a three day binge?  Another prevailing thought goes something like this: "Hey I just worked my tail off in class tonight, I can have that king size chocolate bar."  Well Bucko... I don't think so. You see, one hour of exercise, depending on the intensity and your personal metabolic profile, may not burn as many cals as you think.  Most of us underestimate our caloric intake and overestimate our activity level. Then there is the ugly monster in the corner....the fact that portion sizes are HUGE...and just to further burst your bubble, think about the number of calories we take in drinking lattes, sodas, juices every day and just how darn sedentary our jobs really are.  Well then, yikes!

Exercise equipment lies! It really doesn't tell the real story of calories burned so ignore it please unless you use the readouts for motivational purposes .... Equipment computes the average workout by your age and weight but the reality is that those value varies from individual to individual a lot so keep that in mind.  There is hope, my friend Terra just told me about a new device called the Body Bug that figures your daily activity in calories much like a pedometer...and with computer input of your food intake for the day, it can give you an idea of where you are calorically for the day.  I still think your thermometer jeans and the mirror are pretty good feedback mechanisms. :)

Once a day workouts may not be enough.  Your best bet is to lead an active lifestyle outside of the gym.  Thirty minutes on the treadmill will not make up for twenty three and a half hours of inactivity....so take the stairs, park further away, embark on romantic strolls with your love, hike the trails, bike with your buddies, and get up off your chair at work just because it's good for you. Don't forget to get some rest in the form of a good nights sleep and de-stress your life as much as possible as these two little goodies will make a difference in your weight loss efforts as well. Look at the big picture.  Reality check, what goes in must be balanced by an active lifestyle.  Choose healthy alternatives to over processed goo. Get out and move the way you love to move. Enjoy the weight loss journey you are on, make the most of it.

Be Well