Crunching the Numbers Instead of Cookies

Let’s talk about numbers and details. We know we need to watch what we eat and how much. How can we practically accomplish the goal. Let’s start with good old fashioned calorie counting. One pound of fat is equal to 3500 calories. So to lose a pound a week you must consume fewer than 3500 calories each day. Sounds simple? Consider this. If you were to drink a glass of water instead of soda pop, leave the cheese off your sandwich at lunch and walk a couple of miles each day this would drop your calorie count by 250. It really isn’t too hard. It’s just that we get so accustomed to a certain lifestyle that it becomes difficult to change.

It’s probably more than obvious that exercise burns calories. So you could conceivably eat the way you do now and take up some serious exercise and be able to lose some weight. However, the results would no doubt be short lived because as we age the ability to keep up the pace physically begins to diminish. Also, the healthier eating habits would help you feel better and keep you going longer. Smart eating would also aid in preventing some diseases that go along with poor diet. Remember the commercial about tomato soup helping to prevent certain cancers? There’s more to diet than losing weight.

Exercising would also increase muscle in comparison to fat. A person with a higher muscle to fat ratio will have a higher metabolism. Therefore, a leaner body burns more calories just because it is lean. Now this could get depressing real quick for those of us that have managed to find more fat than they care to admit. It will take some real determination to stick with it in the beginning. Go ahead a get into an exercise routine whatever it is. Be patient. The results will come. But sooner than that I’m sure you will begin to feel more energized and confident in yourself.

So, set a goal. One you can achieve without fail. Such as, 1800 calories per day for one whole week or exercising for 30 minutes three times a week. Determine to say no to junk food and sweets that are filled with calories and empty of nutrition. A mindset might be that rather than being on a diet you are adjusting your lifestyle. When offered something you want to avoid simply say, “No, thank you” instead of, “Oh, I’m on a diet.” This then becomes your choice not a denial of the “good things in life.” When you start feeling better and the pounds start to drop off you will be glad you did.
Lastly, stick to it. But when you fall of the wagon don’t despair. Pick yourself up and get back on as quickly as possible. Temptations are there but you don’t have to give in again and again. New habits take time to ingrain themselves. Don’t give up.