The word 'deficit' conjures images of politicians on C-Span desperately hashing out ways to regain control of our rising national debt and ability to function in a healthy fiscal state.

Wow!

So many similarities exist between our national pocketbook and our ever-expanding national waistlines.

In both cases, in order to make positive progress, we need to create a deficit!

Call me simple, but economic and weightloss science is actually quite simple. Get rid of the indulgences and take responsibility for own life and choices. Trim the fat. (Did I say that out loud?)

As I counsel with new clients, I continually hear references to the "Biggest Loser" and for good reason!

This reality show has single-handedly encouraged more individuals to
tackle the obesity issue than any prior influence! It shows REAL people
working REALLY hard and reaping the benefits!

But there's a common mis-perception:

One of my favorite (and very successful) wellness clients, I'll call her Sophie, didn't think she had the time to exercise. She ascertained that by 'dieting harder' she could obviously lose a mere 2-3 pounds a week if those folks on Biggest Loser were losing 15-20 pounds a week.

How DO those contestants lose so much weight?

An excerpt from an article from msnbc shows the real picture:

"The Contestants on Biggest Loser Exercise a LOT!: upwards of four to six hours a day. Their workout schedule depends on various things, such as their own motivation (we've
seen some contestants add time to their workouts), their trainers'
plans, or participation in challenges for the show.

That intense schedule has led to criticism that the show is unrealistic. Certainly, many people
don't have that much time to devote to exercise every day, but the
show's point still stands: diet and exercise alone lead to weight loss.
And it is possible to work out that much.

Season five contestant Dan Evans has said in recent interviews that, since being voted off the
show, he's working out for up to six hours a day on his own."

What I needed to show Sophie was the Math.

Because she weighed about 150 pounds and was quite sedentary, close to 40 and about 30% body fat, Sophie needed about 2000 calories a day to maintain her weight.

To get the three pound weight loss each week that she was expecting, she would have to cut out 1,500 calories EACH DAY!

Pretty extreme!

On the other hand, let's see what Sophie would have to do to BURN 1500 calories a day exercising and making no changes to her diet,

About.com says, "Many people start running because they want to lose weight. As one of the most vigorous exercises out there, running is an extremely efficient
way to burn calories and drop pounds. A 150-pound person will burn
approximately 100 calories per mile when running."

Sounds like Sophie would need to run about 15 miles a day.

Pretty extreme as well.

My goal with all of my clients is to who them how to build a "Strategic" plan that is balanced, healthy and do-able.

For Sophie I suggested that she modify her goal to two pounds of weight loss a week by learning to burn 500 calories a day using a high intensity approach to resistance training AND the cardio of her choosing.

Sophie was also re-educated toward nutrient dense, low glycemic eating and mentored to consume a GENEROUS 1500 calorie a day diet. Ever tried eating 1500 calories of nutrient rich foods? No problem with hunger! (not to mention all of the myriad of health benefits from disease prevention and reversal).

Over a period of 12 weeks, Sophie found herself feeling more energized, her eczema had disappeared, her blood pressure was brought down to a normal level without medication, her joint pain in the left knee was highly diminished and she was sleeping much better without the use of her nightly sleep aids.

I have the best job in the world. This story is the norm.

Instead of thinking about going very low calorie (which usually means really low-nutrient) or beginning an unsustainable workout program, consider creating a balanced, lifestyle approach to your deficit by combining the two.

I'd be glad to help.

The next round of Strategic Boot Camp which will mentor you in all of the above and is easy on the pocketbook as it is in a group setting, begins 3/22/10.

There is a required orientation/kick off for all new recruits at 2:00 pm on Sunday 3/21/10 at Gold's Gym 3625 South Florida Avenue.

Create that deficit!