I have been cringing at the scale lately... Today I realized I have gained 20 pounds in the past year. Wowzers!! How the heck did that happen? Logically I gained about 10 lbs of muscle from working out, and 10 lbs. fat. That works out since I barely even went up one size.
So I did a bit of math...
There is some saying about how vegetarians don't gain weight back. Dr. MacDougall wrote in one of his diet books a figure about carbohydrates getting stored as fat -- he says that the body can only convert 100 calories of surplus carbohydrates into fat storage every day. So you can eat unlimited carbohydrates (we're talking a nearly fat-free diet here) and your body can flush them out, and only store 100 calories worth each day.
Sounds like a dream come true.
Until a year passes... and you realize you were storing 1 lb. each month... Suddenly 100 calories a day adds up! That makes for 10 lbs. in a year. I don't think I want to gain 10 lbs. every year. Ha! Time to eat more vegetables... or watch my portion sizes, eww.
When I encountered this on my run this morning, I couldn't resist but to drive back so I could take a picture! I can see it all too vividly... the romantic, penny-pinching boyfriend gives her flowers in a glass jar. But as they are driving to their restaurant reservation, they get in a big fight and she pitches them out the window... 