As part of my weight loss plan, I’ve been exercising at least twice a week. Some days go better than others, and today, I would say was the worst. In the past, I just used the treadmill, but that can get boring. Not to mention, I didn’t feel like I was pushing myself enough. (As an aside, those first few steps when you get off the darn thing are so funny-feeling. It’s like you are walking on the moon.)
It could be because instead of losing anything else, I am only gaining and relosing the same two pounds. That’s frustrating.
So, after 15 minutes on the treadmill, I decided to try a machine that stimulates cross-country skiing. I remember cross-country skiing as a kid. I don’t remember getting tired doing it either.
For the record, it IS a workout. The machine has pre-programmed workouts. You select a work out and it will let you know if you are on pace, or if you are going too fast or too slow. At first, I was going too fast. But mostly I kept pace. I was not able, however, to do it for as long as I first thought I could. By the time I was done, I had red splotches on my arms and face from my increased circulation. My thighs ached — a new body part from my usual soreness, and one that could definitely use some work.
I was tired today. I didn’t sleep well last night. I am already thinking of class tonight and how it is going to be a long day. But I think the real reason for my funk is I want to lose weight and two weeks of exercising should mean something! And by mean something, I mean I should have a reduction in pounds.
It takes 3500 calories to equal one pound. The other day I worked out on the treadmill for 40 minutes and only burned off around 400 calories. I sweated. My legs felt all tingly when I was done. And I had only burned a measly amount of calories.
In the same amount of time, I would have lost 72 calories just listening to music. And 130 calories just sitting at my desk doing desk work. That is so deceptive! And so NOT fair!
Typing, by the way, burns 104 calories in 40 minutes.
Can’t a fairy godmother show up and just bibbity-bop my fat away? Puh-leeze?
Yes, that was a whine.
Oh, and while I’m at it, let me just complain about one more thing. Those stupid nutrition facts labels. For lunch today, for example, I had a bowl of Cambell’s vegetable soup. It’s made for on-the-go lunches. It stores nicely in my desk. When lunch time comes around, I can heat it up and it’s good. It’s much better than the Snicker’s from a vending machine.
But the nutrition label is deceptive. It says it is only 110 calories per serving, which is great. Except it says the bowl contains two servings, making my consumption 220 calories. This product was designed and promoted as a "heat and enjoy" soup. It’s for people like me, who need something to eat during their work day. And yet, it claims to be two servings. No, it is packaged as ONE serving. So the label should be for one serving.
The other day I was looking for something to eat for lunch at the grocery store. I found this nice package that had sliced meat, crackers and cheese inside. I flipped it over and looked at the calories, and it was something like 180 calories and contained "two servings." A little high, but doable. Then I realized, no that was just for the meat portion of the container. The cheese was 8 servings at some ungodly caloric amount and the crackers were based on 6 servings. Needless to say, this little tiny package wrapped up and marketed as a "snack" item amounted to more than 1,500 calories. I didn’t buy it, obviously.
I now know why I don’t like math. And counting calories seems to go in a very similar fashion to balancing my checkbook — not the way I want.
Thanks for playing.
