Calories In vs. Calories Out

Most of us want to shed a few pounds to reach our leanest, meanest, athletic perfection. ...or maybe more than a few. We know that to lose weight, calories in must be less than calories out. So just ride more, right?

We need to face the truth. It takes a massive amount of mileage to overcome poor dietary choices. And no amount of miles can overcome the most toxic foods.

This morning's 33 minute gentle ride to work burned just 171 calories.

Compare that to a soda... 150 calories! and 41 grams of sugar! That's more than ten teaspoons of sugar in each can! It's just water, high fructose corn syrup, food coloring, and more sugar. Let there be no doubt about why more than one third of American adults have Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

My beverage of choice, red wine, has 125 calories in just five ounces! It's got a few phytonutrients to provide a tiny benefit. But it's 100% carbohydrate. One glass pretty much eclipses the caloric burn of a half hour ride home.



Forgo all tasty foods? Hardly! But, be mindful about how much each choice costs. Read the labels and make educated decisions.

Poor choices about the amount and type of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates can't all be overcome by fitness. To live healthfully requires managing what goes in, not just what you burn off.  Maximize nutrients. Minimize calories.