Time Travel by Weight Loss* and the Mathematics of Maintenance
Looking at my weight in April 02, I gained 90 lbs in just under 6 years, 15.6 lbs per year. So, the way I see it, I have turned the clock back 18 months so far, 51 months to go. This perspective definitely appeals to nearing-50 me.
Then, there's the mathematical side of it. If I'm honest, I have to say that for most of that time, I was not counting calories in any way, shape or form. I certainly didn't go out of my way to eat high-fat foods, but I didn't avoid them, either. Fast-food, usually fried, was eaten twice a week. Snacks were not fruit. I'd have to estimate that I ate 2,500 calories, or more, a day.
15.6 lbs at 3,000 calories per pound = 46,000 calories. Divided by 52 equals 900 calories per week extra that I would have had to burn/not eat to not gain the weight. Using my trusty Fitness Partners Activity Calculator Jumpsite, that equals 220 more minutes of walking at 3 mph, about 93 minutes of ice hockey (roughly two games, give or take), snowshoeing or 12 - 13.9 mph bicycling (my usual cycling pace), 150 minutes of kayaking, etc. that I would have had to put in per week. This is the equivalent of 36 minutes a day, 6 days a week. Over that time, I would have to say that when I was active, I exercised between one and two hours a week, total. Add that to the 900 minutes gives 1020 minutes per week, erring on the side of caution. Now, to absorb all that by exercising just isn't realistic, so some of it would have to come from eating less. Just how much less?
Let's assume 45 minutes of exercise a day, 5 days a week, on the treadmill walking. That's 225 minutes a week, burning a total of...hey! look at that, 900 calories a week. So the equivalent of 120 minutes at 40 calories per 10 minutes have to come from less eating. That's 480 calories. Per week. I can't believe I didn't see fit to do that for myself. Sure, these are rough figures, but really, even if it's 1000 calories a week I would have had to eat less, that's still only 142 measly calories a day.
The good news is, this is life not a video game and it's never too late. I'm by gum sure gonna do it now.
*credit to the member of the Crazy Canucks who first brought this to my mind
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