“It’s not fair, my gym-buddy gets to eat twice as much as I do, and I never see her struggle with her weight!”“How does my husband lose 5 pounds in one week while I work out more and barely lose a pound in the same week!?!”I hear these sentiments often and certainly understand that slow progress feels even slower when compared to what appears to be someone else’s rapid progress. What feels like 100% effort for 1% improvement is not what anyone is after! And then when the results of others are noted in comparison, it may tempt you to give up, or perhaps worse, try something drastic and unhealthy.
First of all, let’s take a moment to address that one size does not fit all. If I do not have a size 10 foot, why should I expect to need anything more than my size 7 shoe? The thought of a bigger plate for a one who doesn’t require it is just as unacceptable as it would be for me to wear my husband’s shoes. In one case, the excess calories would “spill over” into fat tissue, and in the other case, I’d eventually spill just out of the shoes onto the sidewalk.
Give it some thought. If you have a SmartCar, you should not expect to need the fuel of an 18-wheeler, unless your SmartCar has a farther commute (i.e. more exercise); and vice-versa. You may like food just as much as your spouse does, but simply have to keep in mind that food, though enjoyable, has purpose beyond pleasure.
On my way home from presenting at a conference in Philadelphia recently, I was sitting next to a woman on the plane that noticed I was reading nutrition/fitness literature and mentioned she was heading to the Biggest Loser ranch for a week. She was looking forward to a rigorous, but fresh start to get herself geared up for Spring. We talked for a bit and she shared she was preparing herself to be a on a 1200-calorie diet all week – and that everyone there would be.
Though that is an easy number and streamlines meal planning for a group, your personal fuel calculations can NOT take the facts and figures of others at your table into consideration. Your fuel requirements depend not only on your make and model (your gender, build and lean mass), year (age), and weekly mileage (activity level), but also on your history and tendencies when it comes to your weight, health, eating patterns, exercise time and intensity, splurges, medications, and non-exercise activity level…questions My Fitness Pal simply won’t ask.
Though I’ve used metal and mechanics as an analogy, you are especially unique and wonderfully made by a masterful Creator to be Your personal Best, even if that includes 2 pounds of water-weight more than your dehydrated gym-buddy. Dipping below your calorie requirement has adverse effects, just as going above it does. Less is not more in all cases..sometimes it’s just less…less than what you need to operate optimally.
The goal is progress, not perfection…and steady progress (even slow progress) pays off, provided you are consistent. Take time to pay attention to what your body needs. If you are not sure about your fuel needs, please don’t wait until your metabolism is a mess from trying everything under the sun, get the customized help of a wellness-based registered dietitian nutritionist.
It’s good timing to start the year off wisely. Ready for confidence and energy like you’ve never experienced…and for good this time? Here’s how to get it (click).
