by Rupe | May 31, 2008 | Workout Log
It sounds like you’re referring to a “calories in vs. calories out” type of equation. First you need to understand that one pound of fat is made up of roughly 3,500 extra calories. So in order to lose one pound of fat, you need to create a caloric deficit of 3,500 calories.
Basically, you can create a deficit of calories in three different ways:
1. Eat fewer calories than you burn each day. Keep in mind that your body burns calories all day long as part of your basal metabolic rate (BMR), because it takes energy (calories) for your body to perform basic physiological functions that are necessary for life—breathing, digesting, circulating, thinking and more. On top of that, physical activity (bathing, walking, typing and exercising) uses even more calories each day.
It’s not important for you to know what your BMR is. Your SparkDiet has already estimated your BMR based on variables like age, gender and weight, so you don’t have to do any calculations. The calorie goal recommended in your SparkDiet plan will help you create a caloric deficit and lose weight.
Example: If you eat 500 fewer calories each day for a week, you’ll lose about one pound of fat (500 calories x 7 days = 3,500 calories). Again, keep in mind that your SparkDiet has already done these calculations for you, so simply follow the calorie recommendations on your plan (don’t eat less than is already recommended).
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by Rupe | May 3, 2008 | Mad Musings, Workout Log
by Stew Smith
To lose weight, there are a few factors that you must consider for any weight loss program to be effective. If you remember the following formulas, you should be able to lose weight in a healthy manner and better yet, KEEP IT OFF!
Formula #1: Calories OUT > Calories IN = Weight Loss
This formula is as basic as weight loss gets. If you exercise more calories than you eat at the end of the day, you will lose weight. Creating a calorie deficiency at the end of a day does not mean you have to
starve yourself. In fact, decreasing your calories too much can have an opposite effect on the body and cause what I refer to as CAMELMODE.
The human body is built for survival and when we receive too few calories and not enough water, we can actually shut down our metabolismto a point where you will not burn fat and store water. So, you will not lose weight, but you could gain weight by the increased water retention.
This is where Formula #2 comes into play: Water + Oxygen = Fat burning
Basically, the body needs water and increased oxygen to burn fat as an energy source. The water intake should be anywhere from 1/2 gallon for women and up to 1 gallon a day for men. See the “Water Plus Oxygen Equals Weight Loss” article if you are concerned about drinking “too much water.”
As you add more water to your system, your body will be able to use the retained water for excretion, prompting almost immediate weight loss that is healthy. This is not the same as sitting in a sauna and
sweating which actually DEHYDRATES you. Adding water will REHYDRATE you and enable the body to burn more fat (as long as you increase your oxygen intake by doing some form of exercise). Walking, swimming, biking, jogging, calisthenics, and even yard work can help with working your cardiovascular system.
Here are some sample calorie expenditures for a variety of activities for people who weigh 130 – 190 lbs. If you weigh more that 190 lbs you will actually burn slightly more calories than a lighter person. Continue reading….
by Rupe | Apr 13, 2008 | Workout Log
Who’s Counting on You to Be at Your Best?
— By Mike Kramer, Staff Write
On March 28, (give or take) I’m going to become a dad for the first time. This thought is inconceivable to me, yet seems perfectly natural.
Friends and family promise me that I’m in for the biggest and best adventure of my life. In the next breath, they also warn me that I’m in for thousands of the craziest, most maddening days I’ll ever hope to see.
And I’m cool with that. Because there’s a thought that calms me down and pushes me forward every day – he (for sake of discussion) only wants one thing right now. And I know that I can give it to him.
Sure, he’ll need a house and a room and a place to sleep. He’ll need Halloween costumes, birthday candles and hidden Easter eggs. When he’s 16, he’ll need me to get out of the car so he can pick up his Homecoming date alone. When he’s 30, he’ll probably need me to babysit his kids.
But for now, he really only needs one thing from me – to be at the top of my game. He needs a Dad who’s fit enough, healthy enough and happy enough to do what needs done and have fun doing it. He needs a Dad with enough energy reserves to light up Sioux City, Iowa. He needs a Dad who’ll be playing on the floor more than lying on the couch. He needs a quick, clear thinker, a heavy lifter, and an all-around fixer of things mechanical and personal.
by Rupe | Apr 12, 2008 | Workout Log
I did my spring PFA yesterday at Langley.
Well, I am not sure how to put it but…I was okay with the results; a little bit disappointed, as I could have done a bit better. At any rate, no need crying over spoiled milk though. I did well and that’s all that there is to that.
Also, for the first time I did the Elliptical. I have done the treadmill in the past; and even though at the time I was in pretty good shape, it was a beast to get to the end…it was quite the ordeal. This time around with the Elliptical, it was the opposite. I suppose owning an elliptical does have some merits to it. I did quite well…next time it will be outstanding…I promise. Here are my scores:
- Push ups: 82 (Not as good as I wanted to; thought I would be able to pump out some more – score 90)
- Curl ups : 72 (This was pathetic, in fact, if am being honest, I probably did 50% properly – score 68)
- Elliptical: 240 calories, the equivalent of 10:33 – score – 100
- Final grade – Excellent High.
Having missed the last 2 cycles, I can’t say I am totally disappointed, but I will definitely push for the outstanding next time. My goal for this summer:
- Push ups: 105
- Curl ups: 105
- Elliptical/Bike: 300 calories in 12 minutes
- Final Grade in Fall – Outstanding High
I have also started a couple of challenge groups to help in the motivation department. See you next post!
by Rupe | Apr 10, 2008 | Workout Log
Reach Other Goals by Starting With Your Self
— By Rebecca Pratt, Staff Writer
You’re a parent, school volunteer, Little League coach, and trusted assistant to your boss. You’ve been up since 6 a.m., made breakfast, packed lunches, cleaned the house, chauffeured the neighborhood kids, helped with homework, read bedtime stories, and finished extra work from the office. It’s 11:30. You’re exhausted. And, in about six-and-a-half hours you’ll begin the whole 24-hour cycle…again.
If you find yourself saying ‘Stop the merry-go-round, I want to get off!’ you’re not alone. Most of us—especially women, but men too (hey, there are reasons that men die younger than women)—have at some time found ourselves at the bottom of the heap when it comes to taking care of our needs.
The problem with that is that if we don’t take care of ourselves, sooner or later we won’t be of much use to anyone else—or to ourselves. Just as the airline attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask in an emergency before helping a child with theirs, you must take care of your own basic needs before you can attend to the needs of others. What’s more, being busy is not necessarily the same as being productive with meaningful activity. (Do the workaholics you know really accomplish that much more in proportion to the time they invest?)
If “putting yourself first†(a common admonition) sounds too selfish or too hard, try something simpler: put yourself on an equal footing with those you love and tend to. Do you insist that they get enough sleep? Start making that a priority for yourself too. Do you give them time for fun and socializing with friends? Then you do the same! Remember Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: human beings must meet their basic needs before they can move on to higher-level goals.
Since most of us already know that we should take care of ourselves—but often have trouble figuring out how to do it, here are some guidelines for getting there:
- Preserve your physical health with adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
- Value your emotional health as much as the physical, with a support system of friends and a willingness to laugh—especially at yourself.
- Schedule fun activities on a regular basis—it’s just as important to plan pleasure as it is to plan work.
- Identify “busy behaviors†(or people) that drain your time and energy but aren’t really important, then dump ‘em, or at least minimize their hold on you.
- Kill two birds with one stone, combining family time with exercise, for example, which benefits everyone involved.
- Try to look at the problems in your life with new eyes to find solutions. If you’re a new mom, for instance, see if you can trade childcare with another new mom to get some time for yourself.
- Learn to say “No!†Your “yes†is valuable and should not be automatic. Instead, reserve it for the things that are most important to you.
- Don’t try to change every problem area in your life all at once. Start with one or two items, then expand as you get things under control.
Your life should be like a checking account, balancing out on a regular basis so that you always have assets to draw upon. By making even small deposits—taking care of yourself with a 10-minute walk or a nutritious meal—you’ll be amazed at the interest you’ll reap.
by Rupe | Apr 6, 2008 | Inspiration, Workout Log
— By Mike Kramer, Staff Writer
In tennis, losing one point isn’t the end of the world. It happens to the best of them. In fact, if you can consistently win a few more points that you lose, you may end up in the hall of fame. With healthy eating and exercising, as long as you’re consistently out-stepping your steps back, you’re ahead of the game. If you expect perfection (and many of us do), you’re setting yourself up for disappointment and guilt.
Guilt can be debilitating to your healthy habits. When you mess up (or even when things are messed up for you), it’s natural to feel guilty. At that point, you have a choice: to let that guilt plummet you into a cycle that could spit you out worse off than before, or to accept the step back and say “where do I go from here?”
Of course, consistent success is still something to strive for. You don’t want to roller-coaster up and down. That’s an “old” habit, remember? And the 1Step/2Step strategy doesn’t lessen the need to do your best. You should still work hard to keep those steps back from happening. But it helps to be prepared with a plan and a positive attitude for when they do happen.
Many times, this means a rededication, a refocusing, and a recommitment. You might want to look at your program and see why it’s allowing those landmines to stick around. Use it as a learning process. Ask how you can keep that misstep from happening again.
Take a walk in the woods to clear your head and regroup.
Have a personal “bounce back” motto that will re-energize you. Put it everywhere.
Take a break if you think you’re trying too hard.
Return to the basics. Are you making it too complicated and tough on yourself?
Plan ahead for irregularities in your schedule, call ahead to healthy restaurants, pack healthy snacks.
Stay aware of what you’re doing. One meal mess up can turn into a one day mess up, a one week mess up if you’re not careful.
Remind yourself of your success so far when you need a boost.
Unlike people who run 10 miles today because they should have run two yesterday, “2 Steps Forward” doesn’t necessarily mean doing a lot more to make up for a blunder. Just make a commitment to do things as right as possible as much as you can.
