Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!
Now let's get started by talking about one of the main reasons runners like to run so much... so they can eat whatever they want! And while we all know that's technically NOT true since no one can outrun a bad diet, runners
CAN eat more than "normal" people without the numbers on the scale rising.... IF they run that is.
CAN eat more than "normal" people without the numbers on the scale rising.... IF they run that is.
So in an effort to avoid looking like Santa this year (after all we want his gifts but not his gut right?) let's look at just how much you and I will have to run to avoid that dreaded holiday weight gain.
But before we do that, consider this. Studies show the average person consumes up to 5,241 calories on their big festive blowout when alcohol and snacks are added. That means they will need to run 52 miles to get rid of the evidence of the traditional festive excesses from December 25. A marathon runner burns 2,600 calories over the 26.2 mile course – around 100 calories per mile. That means you'd have to run two marathons on Christmas to burn off all the food you will consume on Christmas. I don't know about you but I'm not fast enough to get that done and still have the time to open gifts, visit with family, take a nap, and eat all the food that day. So let's take a look at some favorite things people eat on this blessed day and what they will do to your waistline. This will have you asking the question, "Is this item I'm about to eat worth the miles or minutes I'll have to run to burn it off?" If the answer is no, then you can put that fork down and save yourself some time and some steps.
And keep this in mind as well as you go through the list of top Christmas food... what runners consider to be a serving is usually 2-3 servings for "normal" people. We like our food that much.
Now that we have some of the common calorie counts, let's take into consideration once again that on average a 180lb person burns 100 calories per mile running and a 120lb person burns 65 (that's so not fair!). So for an adult weighing 180 pounds it will take about 12 hours of steady paced walking (around four miles an hour) to burn off the calories of an average Christmas dinner. This is the equivalent of walking approximately 50 miles. Or, if you prefer, you could run for about five to six hours. Or even longer depending on how much you eat.
Of course, the number of calories in your dinner will also depend on how you prepare the food and whether you go back for seconds. The amount of physical activity you’ll need to do to burn off your dinner will also depend on many factors such as age, gender and weight.
Okay so if you're that person saying right now, "I really don't care that the average person puts on 4lbs between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day after consuming twice their recommended calorie intake. Nor do I care that researchers say that 'It takes until Easter for many dieters to repair the damage.' I just want to have fun and enjoy the holidays and all the food and drink that goes along with it," I have great news. Run hard the day before and run long the day after (or vice-versa) Christmas and you'll gain a good metabolic boost. This is great news since you might not want to run on Christmas... yes, some runners actually take that day off. I know, I'm shaking my head too right now. I just don't understand it.
And on a side note, striving to avoid weight gain this year makes for a great reason to get away from all the family that might have you going insane and/or stress eating. Simply say, "Listen fam.... I want to keep my sanity and not crush the scale so I'm headed out for a run." I've personally been doing this my whole adult life and I will tell you that it hasn't always kept me from gaining weight, but it has kept me from turning into the Grinch... something my friends and family greatly appreciate.
So there you have it friends... those are some great reasons to keep running over the holiday weekend. And speaking of reasons, I do hope you'll take the time to reflect and ponder the true "reason for the season" we call Christmas. It's about so much more than food, presents, decorations, family and traditions. It's about the birth of our Savior who came to die for our sins so that we might have the priceless gift (a gift even Santa doesn't have the ability to give us) of eternal life.
Of course, the number of calories in your dinner will also depend on how you prepare the food and whether you go back for seconds. The amount of physical activity you’ll need to do to burn off your dinner will also depend on many factors such as age, gender and weight.
And on a side note, striving to avoid weight gain this year makes for a great reason to get away from all the family that might have you going insane and/or stress eating. Simply say, "Listen fam.... I want to keep my sanity and not crush the scale so I'm headed out for a run." I've personally been doing this my whole adult life and I will tell you that it hasn't always kept me from gaining weight, but it has kept me from turning into the Grinch... something my friends and family greatly appreciate.
So there you have it friends... those are some great reasons to keep running over the holiday weekend. And speaking of reasons, I do hope you'll take the time to reflect and ponder the true "reason for the season" we call Christmas. It's about so much more than food, presents, decorations, family and traditions. It's about the birth of our Savior who came to die for our sins so that we might have the priceless gift (a gift even Santa doesn't have the ability to give us) of eternal life.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:8-14 KJV)
Merry Christmas and Happy Running Friends!!
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