Photo Credit: Polina Sergeeva
In the realm of health and fitness, I’m positively certain you’ve come across many resources suggesting you do a particular exercise to produce the fat loss results you’re so desperate for. Now this is all fine and dandy, but the ideology behind these recommendations is mostly wrong.
The sheer truth is that a specific fat loss exercise is not the sole reason you experience fat loss. Does it play a part? Does exercise help create a bigger deficit? Sure. However, as you’ve read many times here, the caloric deficit is the sole cause of your weight loss, not the particular exercise selection.
In lieu of the Holiday’s, I thought I’d share some non-traditional exercises that will be of utmost value on your path to fat loss.
*I must say that I believe I once read about this protocol on a forum in someone’s signature – probably Lyle’s forum, haha.
Fat Loss Exercise #1 – The Push
If you want absolute certainty you will lose that unsightly adipose tissue, you must do this particular movement with ultimate precision. I’m sure you’ve all been there, especially around the holidays; you’re with your family and loved ones, gathered around the dinner table.
Your mother’s honey baked ham, grandma’s homemade mashed potatoes and your aunt’s carrot cake are all too sinful to resist. In years past, you simply ate until stuffed and regretted your gluttony the entire week after.
This season can be different, though. You can still be successful with this particular fat loss exercise and it’s probably the easiest thing you’ve ever done. It’s not strenuous by any stretch and you won’t even break a sweat. All you have to do is utilize The Push; when you are full, you simply push the plate away and choose to eat no more. This way, you avoid the post gluttony depression and you won’t halt your fat loss efforts.
Remember; when you are full, simply push the plate away. It’s just that simple.
Fat Loss Exercise #2 – The Shake
This is yet another highly effective fat loss exercise you must have in your arsenal when combating the fat. Everyone knows what it’s like to be in good company. After a few drinks, inhibition has set in; you’re fairly lax around your loved ones and random acquaintances who stroll through the doorway in hopes of free edibles.
In this type of setting, it’s not uncommon to consume copious amounts of food in such a short time period. Heck, it’s not uncommon to completely halt your fat loss for a week or so depending on much you stuff yourself. One of my favourite sayings is ‘eat, drink and be merry.’ While I wholeheartedly agree with this phrase, one must exercise caution if your current goals are fat loss. In such social situations, I can guarantee the opportunity for second and third helpings are going to be present.
If you wish to continue on your fat loss journey, you must put this fat loss exercise to good use in order to stay on track. I call it The Shake. When a loved one grabs your plate and offers you a second helping of potatoes and gravy or a few more pieces of pie, you must shake your head back and forth and say “no thank you!”
Practical Application
While I am somewhat humorous in my explanation, I am also very serious. All it really takes during your family gatherings, company luncheons or nights out on the town is a little self-discipline. If your goal is to continue on your fat loss journey without interruption, this form of portion control is a fool-proof method.
So, the next time you find yourself in an all-you-can-eat situation, remember to practice The Push and The Shake as your primary fat loss exercises.
Zelasko (1995) stated “although exercise does increase energy output during and after exercise and can expend energy from fat for many overweight persons, excessive caloric expenditure has limited implications for substantially reducing body weight independent of nutritional modifications.”
from the man himself!
thanks Jamie
damn. this is priceless lmao. good stuff dude.
A very entertaining twist on holiday weight loss. x)
Sweet article.
Have you tried the Step Up?
You find the most attractive (non-family) person at the dinner table and offer to take them up stairs. Or failing that excuse yourself and go upstairs to do some inane blogging.
Nice post, JC! Lovely style. And don’t forget to give Myles credit
was it Myles Buckley??
But what is someone Pushes their plate away into my direction. What then? I’ll obligated to finish their plate. Unless there’s an escape clause?
clause 15.6 states:
JC, like the tool you are, you totally forgot about the push, shove thrust & spank between you and that special someone. *nudge* *nudge*
That’s been known to burn calories yo!
Btw bro, I just CANNOT see you pushing your plate away. No way. JC? He pulls the plates IN. For the outsider reading this… he also knows what he’s doing in the gym so don’t go try it. I think plate pushing is solid advice for the general lot.
Great artilce JC! Humour always makes bitter pills easier to swallow! Talking of bitter pills, you said…
“However, as you’ve read many times here, the caloric deficit is the sole cause of your weight loss, not the particular exercise selection”
When will people get this? Is this forever the ‘secret knowledge’ of fitness bloggers or will this finally become common knowledge… like the earth being round or the moon not being made of cheese! For now people will keep wasting their money on gimmicky fitness equipment in the hopes that it will target their fat better.
and this is why I’ll always have something to write about!
Oh yeah, I think this was a joke at Lyle’s forum a couple of years ago.
Agreed on the push and shake. Then again, I hope people share the cheer and be merry for one day with family. It’s worth it.
Ahhh another JC’ism. so true and so simple.
I also like to exercise my ability to feel great on the holidays. for the fact that i ate till I’m full. I feel no remorse & in a few days i wont be wining like everyone else. Feels good to have umm, what do they call it SELF CONTROL. O yea. Holidays I eat the same things i do year round, we just make them special or put a little twist on it!
Glad you liked it Ben. Not sure what we’re having this year. Maybe chocolate covered cock roaches or stir fried grasshoppers…
Very good advice offered in a humorous way! Now, if people will follow it!
I have learned the art of saying NO (push & shake) in the food arena & people just got used to it. I don’t even let the guilt thing get to me. If I don’t want it, I don’t eat it. If it something I really want & I think it is worth the calories, I eat it & stop at the portion I decide on. I am always right back it then. I may eat healthy for the whole meal & then enjoy a treat BUT it is always my decision, not anyone else making it for me.
I had to stop by after the back & forth over at Yum Yucky!
heh, oh the commentary at YY!
Good tips that I will certainly be utilizing in a few days. Post-Thanksgiving was a 17# weight gain disaster for me, so there is no way in hell I’m not consciously dieting all the way into the first week of January.