Since we all know that in the end, weight loss comes down to calories in versus calories out. Eat fewer calories than you burn. In fact, 3,500 calorie equals a pound. So, burn 500 calories more than you eat each day for seven days and voila -- a pound is gone.
But what if that pound isn't gone? You tracked your food and ate 1500 calories each day for a week. You tracked your exercise and your treadmill/elliptical/stationary bike game you a number and when added to your resting metabolic rate, you burned 2000 calories a day for seven days. A pound should be gone, right?
In theory, yes. But if you walked on the treadmill for an hour and got a calorie burn total, are you confident in that total?
My husband has been telling me for years that the calorie burn totals the machines give you aren't accurate. When I got my Bodybugg 3 1/2 years ago, I started testing all sorts of different workouts and machines to compare what they said I was burning with what the Bodybugg said. Bodybugg claims it is 90% acccurate, and I'm going to have to say it's at least that. When I started using it, I lost weight. Before, when I'd workout on a machine or DVD, those numbers were clearly off.
Why is this? When you plug your info into a machine (hey, my treadmill is actually so old, you don't even input any info! It just goes by speed and distance, so it's WAY off!), it then makes calculations and gives you data based on averages. I will say that newer machines are closer to the Bodybugg. I did a workout on a very new hotel treadmill last weekend and it was within 50 calories of my Bodybugg. But something else to remember, is that these machines don't take into account that your body has to "get up to speed." If you plug in your height, weight and age and start trotting along at 5 - 6 mile per hour, the machine immediately starts calculating your calories per minute at 6 or 7. But your body has to warm up and get in fat burning mode. That's why you hear fitness instructors say things like, "It's how you finish the workout that counts!" Or "The last few reps are where you get the results!"
Really, it's so true. When I walk at a consistent pace for one hour, the calorie burn really picks up in the second half of my walk as my metabolism kicks into gear.
So, if you're not seeing results on the scale and you're using machines to calculate your burn, you may need to take a closer look!
Here are a few examples of differences I've noticed:
Hotel treadmill (new machine), 30 min. run: overestimated my burn by 50 calories.
Home treadmill (circa 1997), 30 min. run: overestimated my burn by a whopping 200 calories.
Home treadmill, 30 min. walk: overestimated by burn by 105 calories.
Home elliptical (also circa 1997, but is programmable with weight/age): consistently overestimates a one hour session by 200+ calories! That's huge, especially if you're down to those last few pounds and they're coming off just tenths at a time.
You can get there! Let me know if you need help!
Friday, January 4, 2013
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
New Year, New You: Fitness Challenge!
It's almost 2013! I've got some big goals next year, mainly racing in a triathlon in August. Not sure what I was thinking committing to that, but I've told too many people to back out now!
With my triathlon in my mind, a bunch of us are hitting the ground running with the New Year, New You Fitness Challenge. For 60 days beginning January 7, 2013, we will be doing a Beachbody program, drinking Shakeology and reporting in via Facebook for daily accountability.
It's going to be fun! That's what we tell ourselves: fitness is FUN! Say it with me...and we'll all believe it. No seriously, it's all better when we suffer together. Suddenly it's not suffering anymore. It's results.
This challenge works just like the one a group of us finsihed in the fall, and are doing right now to keep ourselves accountable over the holidays with nutrition and exercise.. So if you already know the drill, you can stop reading now. If you need the scoop, here it is:
New Year, New You Fitness Challenge
This challenge will be run via Facebook. I'll set up a private Facebook group for all paticipants so we can communicate without the world seeing what we're saying. Some of the fall challenge people are staying on so we've got a good-sized group!
This challenge will also be Beachbody program specific. Why am I making you buy something to take part? In short, because their programs work when you follow them. And they offer a 30-day money back guarantee. So I guarantee that if you follow them, you will see results, but if you're not happy, Beachbody will give you your money back. This is a win-win situation. Yes, I sell their products. Yes, I use their products. I think they are that good. And trust me, I have tried so many different fitness/weightloss products, I am a walking infomercial.
But, the point is, we're going to work together, and you are going to see the results you want. Period.
What you need to do:
1. Confirm to me that you're in so I can add you to the Facebook group.
2. Go to my Beachbody website and choose a Challenge Pack, which bundles the fitness program of your choice and a 30-day supply of their protein shake together at a discount. I can help you if you want advice on what program to choose (you'll recognize some of them, like P90X). I own and have done many of them. (I know some of you who have done these challenges before also already have a Beachbody program on hand to use. In that case, just get yourself on Shakeology, the protein shake. I explained about Shakeology HERE.)
3. We'll start Monday, January 7, 2013. Every single Beachbody program comes with a schedule and an eating plan. I can help you determine how many calories you should be eating if you need help with that.
4. Post at least once a day in our Facebook group for accountability. Post how your workouts are going, how your eating is going, any questions, etc. The support from the group is huge part of our success. It will keep you motivated and accountable. I discover the importance of this myself on a daily basis!
5. Follow the program of your choice and drink Shakeology, the protein shake, once a day for the duration of the challenge(Important Note: Shakeology isn't a "diet" shake designed like Slim Fast. This is a full on nutrient-rich shake to boost your nutrition, not starve you to death. I drink it, my husband drinks it, our dog drinks it. Just kidding. We don't have a dog.
I will be taking part in the challenge right along with you. I'm planning a combination of workouts for the challenge. I just informed Santa he's bringing me Les Mills Combat for Christmas, so that will be my primary workout, with a little bit of ChaLEAN Extreme (to me, it's like P90X for women) thrown in.
We'll officially run the challenge January 7 - March 7, but I'll leave the Facebook group open for as long as the group would like it to be open. That way, if you're doing one of the longer programs, you'll have support the whole way through!
Let me know if you have any questions. And if you’re weirded out about the whole "buying from me" thing, no big deal. I just want everyone to reach their goals, and this is what works for me.
I say this every time we do a challenge: This isn't a short-term fix -- it's a lifestyle change. I am a big, big believer in Beachbody and their products. I would never sell you guys crap. It works. And if you decide it doesn't work for you, you'll get your money back. Period.
OK, let's do it.
With my triathlon in my mind, a bunch of us are hitting the ground running with the New Year, New You Fitness Challenge. For 60 days beginning January 7, 2013, we will be doing a Beachbody program, drinking Shakeology and reporting in via Facebook for daily accountability.
It's going to be fun! That's what we tell ourselves: fitness is FUN! Say it with me...and we'll all believe it. No seriously, it's all better when we suffer together. Suddenly it's not suffering anymore. It's results.
This challenge works just like the one a group of us finsihed in the fall, and are doing right now to keep ourselves accountable over the holidays with nutrition and exercise.. So if you already know the drill, you can stop reading now. If you need the scoop, here it is:
New Year, New You Fitness Challenge
This challenge will be run via Facebook. I'll set up a private Facebook group for all paticipants so we can communicate without the world seeing what we're saying. Some of the fall challenge people are staying on so we've got a good-sized group!
This challenge will also be Beachbody program specific. Why am I making you buy something to take part? In short, because their programs work when you follow them. And they offer a 30-day money back guarantee. So I guarantee that if you follow them, you will see results, but if you're not happy, Beachbody will give you your money back. This is a win-win situation. Yes, I sell their products. Yes, I use their products. I think they are that good. And trust me, I have tried so many different fitness/weightloss products, I am a walking infomercial.
But, the point is, we're going to work together, and you are going to see the results you want. Period.
What you need to do:
1. Confirm to me that you're in so I can add you to the Facebook group.
2. Go to my Beachbody website and choose a Challenge Pack, which bundles the fitness program of your choice and a 30-day supply of their protein shake together at a discount. I can help you if you want advice on what program to choose (you'll recognize some of them, like P90X). I own and have done many of them. (I know some of you who have done these challenges before also already have a Beachbody program on hand to use. In that case, just get yourself on Shakeology, the protein shake. I explained about Shakeology HERE.)
3. We'll start Monday, January 7, 2013. Every single Beachbody program comes with a schedule and an eating plan. I can help you determine how many calories you should be eating if you need help with that.
4. Post at least once a day in our Facebook group for accountability. Post how your workouts are going, how your eating is going, any questions, etc. The support from the group is huge part of our success. It will keep you motivated and accountable. I discover the importance of this myself on a daily basis!
5. Follow the program of your choice and drink Shakeology, the protein shake, once a day for the duration of the challenge(Important Note: Shakeology isn't a "diet" shake designed like Slim Fast. This is a full on nutrient-rich shake to boost your nutrition, not starve you to death. I drink it, my husband drinks it, our dog drinks it. Just kidding. We don't have a dog.
I will be taking part in the challenge right along with you. I'm planning a combination of workouts for the challenge. I just informed Santa he's bringing me Les Mills Combat for Christmas, so that will be my primary workout, with a little bit of ChaLEAN Extreme (to me, it's like P90X for women) thrown in.
We'll officially run the challenge January 7 - March 7, but I'll leave the Facebook group open for as long as the group would like it to be open. That way, if you're doing one of the longer programs, you'll have support the whole way through!
Let me know if you have any questions. And if you’re weirded out about the whole "buying from me" thing, no big deal. I just want everyone to reach their goals, and this is what works for me.
I say this every time we do a challenge: This isn't a short-term fix -- it's a lifestyle change. I am a big, big believer in Beachbody and their products. I would never sell you guys crap. It works. And if you decide it doesn't work for you, you'll get your money back. Period.
OK, let's do it.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Don't You Be Eyeballin' Me!
Portion control is my nemesis! I'm here to tell you right now, I'm bad at portion control. It's what got me into trouble over time.
When I really committed to getting fit and losing weight, I began to weigh and measure all of my food. I know, I know, what a hassle, right? Who has time to do that? Who WANTS to do that?
You do.
Seriously. If you are as lame as I am about eyeballing your portion size, you need to weigh and measure your food to "get your eyes right."
After many years of eyeballing my food, I'm BETTER, but I'm definitely not perfect. Case in point: 10 minutes ago I was having a morning snack. I had 3 dried figs (not hard to eyeball), and then was adding some walnuts. I looked at the bag and thought, "That looks like two tablespoons." I started to pop a few in my mouth and then decided to measure the bag first. FOUR TABLESPOONS. I was totally off. Had I logged the two tablespoons, I would have been as much as 110 calories off.
So what's the big deal? And what is my point? My point is that we can't always trust our eyes. And the big deal is that if you're in weightloss mode, those 100 calories (and the 100 calories you missed at another meal or snack) could, especially over the course of a week, truly make a difference. You hop on the scale at the end of the week expecting to see a one pound loss. But it's not there. You might be close, maybe you just needed another 100 calories per day gone out of your diet this week. Where was it? For me, it would have been in that bag of walnuts.
This happened to me over and over again before I really knuckled down and consistently tracked my food (and ramped up my workouts). Those hundred calories here and there can make a difference if you're trying to lose.
Is it as big a deal if you're maintaining? No, but weighing, measuring, and tracking my food is what keeps me in check and keeps me from mindlessly tossing things into my mouth when I'm cooking or packing lunches. It all adds up!
So don't be eyeballing it! Do some measuring and find out how accurate you are. Make it a game. It's really not that bad -- in fact, it may just grow on you!
When I really committed to getting fit and losing weight, I began to weigh and measure all of my food. I know, I know, what a hassle, right? Who has time to do that? Who WANTS to do that?
You do.
Seriously. If you are as lame as I am about eyeballing your portion size, you need to weigh and measure your food to "get your eyes right."
After many years of eyeballing my food, I'm BETTER, but I'm definitely not perfect. Case in point: 10 minutes ago I was having a morning snack. I had 3 dried figs (not hard to eyeball), and then was adding some walnuts. I looked at the bag and thought, "That looks like two tablespoons." I started to pop a few in my mouth and then decided to measure the bag first. FOUR TABLESPOONS. I was totally off. Had I logged the two tablespoons, I would have been as much as 110 calories off.
So what's the big deal? And what is my point? My point is that we can't always trust our eyes. And the big deal is that if you're in weightloss mode, those 100 calories (and the 100 calories you missed at another meal or snack) could, especially over the course of a week, truly make a difference. You hop on the scale at the end of the week expecting to see a one pound loss. But it's not there. You might be close, maybe you just needed another 100 calories per day gone out of your diet this week. Where was it? For me, it would have been in that bag of walnuts.
This happened to me over and over again before I really knuckled down and consistently tracked my food (and ramped up my workouts). Those hundred calories here and there can make a difference if you're trying to lose.
Is it as big a deal if you're maintaining? No, but weighing, measuring, and tracking my food is what keeps me in check and keeps me from mindlessly tossing things into my mouth when I'm cooking or packing lunches. It all adds up!
So don't be eyeballing it! Do some measuring and find out how accurate you are. Make it a game. It's really not that bad -- in fact, it may just grow on you!
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