The Currency of Calories

One of my biggest AH HA moments in my transformation was the concept of weekly calories and budgeting. The fact that a less than stellar day nutritionally could still be saved by a forward week if you made up for it before or after; you budget for it. A calorie currency if you will.

 

If calories were currency, then fat is a debt. You have to save calories to pay off your debt. You can only save so much money, just like you can only limit the number of calories you eat by so much. There is a sweet spot. Ideally your spot is one where you have small indulgences which allow you to not feel deprived, but not so much restriction that you go hog wild one day.

 

 

 

So if every weekend, you are going out and spending all your currency do not be surprised when all your debt is back on Monday. It can be a vicious cycle. Spending all week to save from the previous weekend, then doing it again in a week or two. You cannot get anywhere if you constantly save, save then spend, spend.  It is like digging a hole during the week, and filling it back up with dirt every weekend. Sounds crazy, huh?

 

A moderate but aggressive pace is ideal. Fast enough to see progress, but slow enough to enjoy some indulgences so you are not feeling deprived. There is a happy place.

 

What works best for me during a calorie deficit run is to take one maintenance day per week for sanity. I eat a bit more overall, and eat a couple of things that I normally do not have a budget for during deficit days. Some of my favorites are cake, wine, and chocolate.  Are those ideal foods? No. Can they be enjoyed moderately? Yes. There really are no good or bad foods, just ones that make you feel best.

 

Perfection is the enemy of good. Allowing these treats prevents bigger calorie spending days that I cannot overcome in a week.  Sit down and make yourself a calorie budget, today. Try to set social events on maintenance days so that you have some room to play. With the right mindset, you can make it happen.