I do it all the time. Promise to run extra miles so I can dive into a second piece of pie. Or pledge to take the stairs instead of the elevator so I can eat an extra donut. I know I’m not alone. How many of you try to offset extra calories by extending your workout?
It’s a fine method if you keep your promise… and the amount of time you are adding to your exercise routine actually compensates for the number of fat and calories consumed. But in most cases that’s not quite how the cookie crumbles. Generally, we allow ourselves to pig out and don’t follow through on the extra sweating part.
One way to avoid falling into this trap is to know the facts. For example, my family recently visited the Wisconsin State Fair—the worst place to go if you are on a diet. The place is teeming with deep-fried EVERYTHING. What’s more, it’s hard not to go overboard when you are amongst friends, family, deep fried mac and cheese and jumbo cream puffs.
Will power? What’s that?
This year though I went in with a plan. I know how many calories I burn by running for an hour—725. Next, I went to the State Fair’s website and accessed the nutritional information for the foods I was interested in eating (other state fairs offer the same information). Then, I calculated how many more minutes I would have to run the next day to offset the calories I planned to consume at the fair.
Here’s a look at my “wish list”:
*Note: I didn’t consume the entire list, I just jotted down the items that would likely make it passed my lips.
Blooming Onion–1320 calories
Hotdog–214 calories
Giant Turkey Leg–1100 calories
Corndog–250 calories
Jumbo Donut–900 calories
Taco—210 calories
Nachos–860 calories
Bratwurst–420 calories
Funnel Cake–760 calories
1/4 lb. Hamburger–450 calories
Chili Cheese Fries–750 calories
Gyro–680 calories
Cheese steak–680 calories
Fried cheesecake–655 calories
Fried snickers–444 calories
If you are shocked by those numbers consider that an average piece of fudge offered at the fair contains more calories than a sno-cone. Another shocker: If you plan to devour an entire funnel cake by yourself you can look forward to walking an extra 7 miles to work off the calories it contains.
Bottom line: If there is something you really want to gorge on budget for it. Either shorten your wish list or share a dish with someone so you don’t end up consuming the entire portion. Your other option—-plan to run an extra 10 miles like I did.
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