It Really is 80% Diet . . .
It really is true. It really is 80% diet and 20% exercise. We've heard thisforyearsand Ive also been heaerd to say that after a certain age (and if it is only to lose a small amount of weight) it is 90% diet and 10% exercise. For folks like me that is a big bummer. For the huge reason that I like to eat. I like food. Thank heavens I also really like to exercise and be active so usually I can keep things in check as far as the scale goes.
However, I, like most folks, tend to underestimate the amount of calories I eat and overestimate the amount of calories I burn while working out. AND, like most folks, can fall into the trap of thinking I can eat something because I've worked out or will be working out to negate whatever that food is. (usually a chocolate chip cookie or something covered with almond butter.) There's a really great article about this in the Huffington Post here.
Why am I on this topic today? Well, I've been out of the exercise game since I had shoulder surgery on July 12. I basically spent a few days on the couch fighting post surgery pain and not feeling like eating. That moved into boredom and watching lots of FoodNetwork shows which can really be dangerous. Wonderful folks brought us food since I think they figured The Husband had no skills in the kitchen. Well, he picked up his chef's hat and worked some magic in the kitchen so, believe me, there was no shortage of yummy food in the house. Then, we went to the beach for a few days. There I laid in the sun, in a very attractive blue sling, ate some great seafood and drank more wine than anyone trying to watch the scales should!
A few days ago I began taking short walks. That's about it for any activity.
So, back home the scale sat looming in our bathroom. Sometimes I make really bad decisions that cause me to really hate myself - and I actually know this while I am doing things that will only make me feel bad about myself. I just can't help it. In that mindset I stepped on the scales and was so pleasantly surprised that it was on the lower end of where I like to stay. Hmmmm. That was really good for the rest of my family because it meant I wouldn't be in a bad mood for the rest of the day. (The power of the scale is something I'm still working on)
Looking back on the past couple of weeks I realize that I haven't been as hungry as usual and haven't snacked between meals. I have also followed my normal healthy habits and made good choices when choosing foods (except that one lunch of fried shrimp in Darian, GA, that was SO worth every calorie). So, I've not blown up like the whale I had envisioned when thinking about recovering from this surgery.
This observation is in no way suggesting that we get rid of our running shoes. Adding movement, cardio and resistance training to each day are for so many health reasons, least of all reason is for the calorie conundrum. However, it is nice to know that when you cannot exercise, or get off of a normal exercise routine, whether for business, pleasure, illness or injury, watching your diet is really the best way to keep weight in check.
It really is 80% Diet and 20% Exercise.
Now, next topic. Have you heard the recent studies that show that folks who eat something sweet in the mornings tend to lose more weight than otherwise. Apparently, they will not want sweet later in the day. WHOA. Not me. EVER. If I have something sweet in the morning, other than fruit in my yogart or smoothie, it seems to set me up for craving sugar ALL DAY LONG. That's just me maybe. What about you?
That's it for me now. Off to rest my right arm which is pooped from all this typing!
ENJOY YOUR DAY!
What do you think about the 80/20 rule? Do you eat sweet in the morning? Does that settle you or do you then crave it like me?
However, I, like most folks, tend to underestimate the amount of calories I eat and overestimate the amount of calories I burn while working out. AND, like most folks, can fall into the trap of thinking I can eat something because I've worked out or will be working out to negate whatever that food is. (usually a chocolate chip cookie or something covered with almond butter.) There's a really great article about this in the Huffington Post here.
Why am I on this topic today? Well, I've been out of the exercise game since I had shoulder surgery on July 12. I basically spent a few days on the couch fighting post surgery pain and not feeling like eating. That moved into boredom and watching lots of FoodNetwork shows which can really be dangerous. Wonderful folks brought us food since I think they figured The Husband had no skills in the kitchen. Well, he picked up his chef's hat and worked some magic in the kitchen so, believe me, there was no shortage of yummy food in the house. Then, we went to the beach for a few days. There I laid in the sun, in a very attractive blue sling, ate some great seafood and drank more wine than anyone trying to watch the scales should!
A few days ago I began taking short walks. That's about it for any activity.
So, back home the scale sat looming in our bathroom. Sometimes I make really bad decisions that cause me to really hate myself - and I actually know this while I am doing things that will only make me feel bad about myself. I just can't help it. In that mindset I stepped on the scales and was so pleasantly surprised that it was on the lower end of where I like to stay. Hmmmm. That was really good for the rest of my family because it meant I wouldn't be in a bad mood for the rest of the day. (The power of the scale is something I'm still working on)
Looking back on the past couple of weeks I realize that I haven't been as hungry as usual and haven't snacked between meals. I have also followed my normal healthy habits and made good choices when choosing foods (except that one lunch of fried shrimp in Darian, GA, that was SO worth every calorie). So, I've not blown up like the whale I had envisioned when thinking about recovering from this surgery.
This observation is in no way suggesting that we get rid of our running shoes. Adding movement, cardio and resistance training to each day are for so many health reasons, least of all reason is for the calorie conundrum. However, it is nice to know that when you cannot exercise, or get off of a normal exercise routine, whether for business, pleasure, illness or injury, watching your diet is really the best way to keep weight in check.
It really is 80% Diet and 20% Exercise.
Now, next topic. Have you heard the recent studies that show that folks who eat something sweet in the mornings tend to lose more weight than otherwise. Apparently, they will not want sweet later in the day. WHOA. Not me. EVER. If I have something sweet in the morning, other than fruit in my yogart or smoothie, it seems to set me up for craving sugar ALL DAY LONG. That's just me maybe. What about you?
That's it for me now. Off to rest my right arm which is pooped from all this typing!
ENJOY YOUR DAY!
What do you think about the 80/20 rule? Do you eat sweet in the morning? Does that settle you or do you then crave it like me?