The second week of December, I set a personal goal of burning 2,000 calories in one cardio training session (we will call them “seshs” from here on out) in less than two hours. The first question that may pop into your head is, why? This was exactly my wife’s, JoAnna, response. My answer to that question would be, I do not know. The only reason I could think of is that over the past several months I have been consistently achieving the “1,000 Calorie Burn Club” (if one does not exist, I am starting one as you read!) in less than or equal to one hour of cardio (≤ for those who paid attention in math class), and I would follow with some weight lifting for about 30 minutes.
Maybe I was growing impatient with my results or I was inspired to take it up a notch, whatever it was, I decided to double up. Last week, I made some progress, but all in all, I FAILED.
The Ignitor
The preceding weekend, me and my wife enjoyed a KID FREE, three-day weekend in D.C., courtesy of her parents being in town.
Check out The Physical Activity SNOWBALL Effect for more on gaining momentum.
Aside from being pedestrians, the three-day weekend included zero physical activity seshs, delicious food, drinks, and most importantly quality time. These moments are so necessary. However, when I came back, I was hit with reality. I was invited to a luncheon and this required me to be in a particular uniform within in four days. The problem was, the uniform in question was purchased 6 years prior and always fit snug if I wasn’t up to par. My “Ignitor” was the fact that I was to be put on display and accept recognition for my performance. To me that meant I had to appear fit for duty in this unforgiving uniform. Since I am super self-conscience, this lit a fire in me. As I stated above, I FAILED to burn 2,000 calories in one cardio sesh. That being said, progress was made. Here were the STATS:
Day 1: 1,750 calories
Day 2: 1,850 calories
After Day two, my progress would trail off as follows…
Day 3: 1,250 calories
Day 4: 1,530 calories
The Residual Reward
As you can see from the numbers themselves, I FAILED to achieve the 2,000-calorie goal. I am totally okay with these stats because the desired effect was achieved. If merely burning 2,000 calories was the extent of what I set out to do, it would have been disappointing. However, the day of the luncheon, I felt like $1,000,000! The uniform fit like it was supposed to and there was not an ounce of self-consciousness. I did, however, manage to secure my ribbon rack U.P.S.I.D.E.D.O.W.N. This was brought to my attention by a higher rank, but he was gentle. Aside from that, IT WAS PERFECT!
How Did I burn 2,000 calories in 99 minutes?
I have said a lot to get to this point. The point is, I finally achieved my 2,000 calories burn in 99 minutes! The question is, how? I am glad you asked. I present to you my winning method: Watching Football.
I seriously put good work in during the first week to try and achieve my goal. Day one was the closest. As the week went on the less I had to give. Now, you may be saying “Duh Travelle!”. Well, I will accept your “Duh Travelle!”.
The following week I achieved my 2,000-calorie goal while watching the New England Patriots narrowly beat the Buffalo Bills to win the AFC East Division Championship. In doing so, I have found my very most FAVORITE activity to undertake during a football game. I am being serious. The early stages of my life I was a participant in the sport. After that, I became a spectator like most Americans. As a spectator, the typical coinciding activity to enjoy a game consists of consuming calories while watching American football.
From here on, I am the biggest advocate of the opposite. Let us consider as to why. First, the way football is presented on T.V. is so much more different than back in the day. The games drag on, between commercial breaks, injury breaks, two-minute warnings, timeouts, challenges, reviews, et cetera. That makes for a long game. I found myself fully captivated by the game while simultaneously navigating my way through the different stages of my cardio workout sesh.
What do I mean by that? I mean I am not just on the treadmill as if I am a hamster on a hamster wheel! I change my settings. My goal is to burn at least 250 calories every 15 minutes. With that in mind, I am changing between a run/sprint at 1 % incline at 7.5 to 10 Miles Per Hour (MPH), a 6 % incline jog at 6 MPH, and sometimes tat 15 % incline at 4 MPH. Even with this variety, things can get a little stale, so I also include the StairMaster.
The Cool Down
My point is, find that spark, that ignitor that will get you to different heights. Start watching football on the treadmill. Before you know it, the game will be over AND you will be 2,000 CALORIES LIGHTER! If you are having trouble identifying your IGNITOR, turn to your everyday life or turn to www.ACTIVE-DAD.com.