I’ve recently learned how I can’t out exercise my nutrition. This was a hard lessen to accept. I was taught so earlier in life while at school. I love being active and had always been able to just eat. So, the lesson never really sunk in. But I lost fifteen pounds over six months. Actually, I lost fifteen pounds over about three months and spent the next three months keeping it off. That’s when I learned my lesson.
I can get 8,000-10,000 steps in a day at the office. That’s roughly 4-5 miles which is a good hike. However, I learned that factors such as starting weight, pace, and terrain change how much you burn. Depending on these factors you could burn between 170-875 calories. The discovery I made was that on a really good day, I’d only burn about 250 calories walking around the office. It really put the 1300 calorie lunch into perspective.
So now I limit myself to 600 calories per meal. Yes, I can feel it, but I know full well, it’s mental. My mind and body have learned the difference between being hungry and needing calories and nutrients vs. being on a see food diet.
A mentor of mine once told me, “you’re an emotional eater, you eat because it brings you joy. When you stop eating for the joy and eat for the nourishment, you’ll lose weight and be healthier for it.” I get what he meant now. I encourage you during this holiday season to take my lesson to heart and use it to improve your own life.
Leave a Reply