(PCM) One of the most common misconceptions when it comes to exercise is overcompensating when it comes to calorie burn. Gym-goers often overestimate the amount of calorie they burn in a given workout, which isn’t so hard to do with all those generous cardio machine readouts; in fact, studies show these calorie counters can be off by up to 40 percent!
Unfortunately, most people also underestimate the amount of calories they consume. Put the two together and you’re looking at a very frustrating situation! It’s easier than people realize to quickly eat back all the calories – if not more – that you just burned off (think about how easy it is to eat 300 calories than it is to burn it off). If you’re trying to lose weight, this is clearly a problem!
Try these tips to avoid overcompensating:
– Don’t go by the reading on your cardio machine; if it says you burned 400 calories, tell yourself it’s 300 to be safe.
– Skip the energy bars and protein shakes at the gym; as long as you’re not an hour or more away from home, you’ll be okay to wait until you get there.
– If it’s time for a meal, keep it healthy. Just because you worked out for half an hour doesn’t mean you should call out for Chinese!
– If it’s hours until mealtime, opt for a 200-calorie snack: your body needs a healthy combination of carbs and protein to fill your glycogen stores and aid in muscle recovery.
– Avoid rewarding yourself with food and make it a non-food treat instead, like a massage, new book, etc.
