“I'll Just Burn it off at the Gym.”
Many people grossly over-estimate how many calories they actually burn during a workout. Everybody has heard someone say (while reaching for that second helping of dessert), "Oh, I'll just burn it off later when I am (insert weak excuse for an exercise here)."
Truth is, even the craziest of fitness nuts only burn, at most, 30% of their daily calories by working out each day. Most of the calories we burn on a day to day basis comes from doing things like digesting food, thinking, breathing, repairing a cut to your leg/face from shaving, etc. This is known as our resting metabolic rate, which means you are even burning calories reading this blog right now! There are other daily activities can also contribute to our daily caloric expenditure that are known as non-exercise activity thermo-genesis (N.E.A.T.) such as walking up the stairs, walking your dog, having sex, etc.
I know what you may be thinking, "Hell, I don't need to exercise then!" Keep in mind that exercise causes a whole list of benefits too long to list in this blog, so I highly recommend you continue (or start) to exercise 5-6 days a week. Not only that, but a properly designed strength and conditioning program consisting of cardio and resistance training will raise your resting metabolic rate, mentioned earlier, so that the rest of the day when you are not exercising, you will burn more calories than the average person.
The best scenario in this case would be to exercise often, but to also make small changes in your lifestyle that can result in bigger changes over the long-haul. For example, if you live or work in a multi-storey building, take the stairs more often than the elevator. Park at the back of the parking lot when shopping to force you to walk a bit further, etc.
Exercise can only take you so far. Diet choices and other small lifestyle changes add up over time to create a healthier you!
Quote of the day:
"Never look back unless you are planning to go that way."
~ Henry David Thoreau
Sources:
Photo - http://www.zmescience.com/science/biology/sexual-sweat-is-recognized-as-novel-by-the-brain/
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