Losing Weight: The Inequality

 

Losing weight is fairly straightforward. If you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. On the other hand, if you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. That’s it. 

 

Now, there are entire industries built around that simple fact. I’ll admit, there is quite a lot of brainpower devoted to how to lose fat weight, gain muscle weight, increase metabolism, etc. However, when you get right down to it is all about diet (calories in) and exercise (calories out).

 

One of my initial goals for this adventure was to lose weight. As of this writing I weigh about 260 pounds. I figured with all the increased activity I was sure to lose some lbs. Not so fast. For the last couple of weeks I have had a ravenous appetite. I was shocked to learn that a friend of mine training for this same event last year actually gained weight. 

 

We recently attended a seminar with registered dietician Joe Dibble. It became very obvious that I will have to make some very important changes in my diet to see the changes I want to see. Not only do I have to eat better (more fruits and vegetables, less meat), but I need to eat less. 

 

He recommended 3 meals per day of about 500 calories and 2 snacks per day of about 150 calories. Counting calories seems like a chore, but it really opened my eyes. Here are two great websites to really help you understand what and how much you are eating: 1) www.fitday.com 2) www.mypyramid.gov. I won’t embarrass myself too much, but let’s just say that I was eating quite a bit more than the recommended 2,000 calories per day, and almost none of it was conducive to fueling myself for physical training.

 

I’m only a few weeks into this project, but I’ve noticed a funny thing happening. I feel a lot better. I am beginning to feel a craving not only for the exercise, but for the healthier meals. Hopefully looser fitting clothing is on the horizon.

 

P.S. Sparks is holding a fun run on Sunday, March 15^th. I hope to see you out there.