"I am burning 400 more calories than you, in a single day", said a friend of mine with a lot of pride and enthusiasm. What's more, he was even equipped with a calorie consumption chart by activity, from his fitness center, which showed that his newly initiated hour-long fitness regime helps him consume 400 extra cals of energy. He had a passion in his voice and a sense of achievement in his demeanor.
It was the chart, however, which interested me more... It showed that an average guy would consume 75 Cal/hour even while sleeping, 120 Cal/hr while watching TV or sitting idle, and 200 Cal/hr while doing office work, and 250 cal/hr while regular walking. Thats when my mind immediately started to tick! The detail-oriented accountant in me suddenly took over with a vengeance, since he doesn't get too many opportunities to display his utility anyways.
So I said "You sleep 8 hours, while I sleep 5, so I spend 135 Calories more than you there itself. Also, I spend at least a couple of hours more at work than you do, so I spend an extra 160 Calories there. So straightaway, I consume 295 more calories than you. And let us assume that even if I am sitting idle and watching TV while you are sweating it out in the gym, you burn an extra 280 Calories only. So in essence, you have joined this fitness program so that you can burn 15 calories less than I already do with my leisurly lifestyle"
For a second, there was no response. Then there was an attempt, which was withdrawn at the last moment. Finally a retort came "I cannot help it if you are a bloody insomniac, and not my fault if you spend a little more time at work." I could only smile (evil one that is) and say "I guess you should increase the work-out time to 2 hours now"
Somehow I had forgotten how much I loved putting people in a spot, and proving them wrong. A reminder like this always helps :) And a great man had once said "If you are convinced totally, on what path needs to be taken, justifying it will never be a problem". It has not been a problem for me so far, once I convinced myself after a fair trial that gymming, fitness training, and exercising is not a path I want to take.
It was the chart, however, which interested me more... It showed that an average guy would consume 75 Cal/hour even while sleeping, 120 Cal/hr while watching TV or sitting idle, and 200 Cal/hr while doing office work, and 250 cal/hr while regular walking. Thats when my mind immediately started to tick! The detail-oriented accountant in me suddenly took over with a vengeance, since he doesn't get too many opportunities to display his utility anyways.
So I said "You sleep 8 hours, while I sleep 5, so I spend 135 Calories more than you there itself. Also, I spend at least a couple of hours more at work than you do, so I spend an extra 160 Calories there. So straightaway, I consume 295 more calories than you. And let us assume that even if I am sitting idle and watching TV while you are sweating it out in the gym, you burn an extra 280 Calories only. So in essence, you have joined this fitness program so that you can burn 15 calories less than I already do with my leisurly lifestyle"
For a second, there was no response. Then there was an attempt, which was withdrawn at the last moment. Finally a retort came "I cannot help it if you are a bloody insomniac, and not my fault if you spend a little more time at work." I could only smile (evil one that is) and say "I guess you should increase the work-out time to 2 hours now"
Somehow I had forgotten how much I loved putting people in a spot, and proving them wrong. A reminder like this always helps :) And a great man had once said "If you are convinced totally, on what path needs to be taken, justifying it will never be a problem". It has not been a problem for me so far, once I convinced myself after a fair trial that gymming, fitness training, and exercising is not a path I want to take.
2 comments:
haraami saale... likes putting ppl in a tough spot!.:)
@Fart - :D Hehe... I even like it when people call me that :p
In a way, its a compliment
Post a Comment