Fitness professionals and TV shows that advocate "it's going to take you XXX amount of time running to burn off that/those (insert processed food here) so you better get running.
Two things I'd like to address when you see something like this.
- Ok, fair call, it's going to take you an hour of walking to burn off that chocolate oreo you just ate (100 calories)
So, how much walking is it going to take to burn off that whole avocado you just plowed through? (360 calories)
Just because a food is labeled as clean or healthy doesn't mean these calories magically disappear as if you didn't eat them.
All calories count and they all need to be accounted for.
- If your TDEE is 2000 calories (total daily energy expenditure) and you're currently at 1500 calories for the day and you decide "I really feel like an Oreo", that bumps you up to 1600 calories total for the day
you're still down 400 calories for the day in total.
You don't need to go run for 30 minutes to burn off that oreo because you are following a calorie controlled diet which allows you to pick and choose your foods and fit them within your calorie guidelines.
Eat 90% whole foods and allow for 10% processed/fun foods.
Notice how I didn't say EAT 10% processed/fun foods, this is optional, if you can eat a 100% whole food no processed diet, more to you.
If you are like me and you're going to eat some ice cream or have some treats. Do it in a way that allows you to stay on track for with your goals.
( Client Progress photo)