It's a constant give and take

Most expert agree that losing weight is around 70-80% diet and 20-30% exercise.  Obviously, for best results (and for your health), the combination of the two will help you be more successful.  I exercise for two reasons: 

1) I really do have the desire to get into shape.  I don't want to be "skinny fat", where I may drop pounds but have no muscle or tone.  I want to be slim and toned.  I want to walk up and down stairs without feeling out of breathe.  I want to be able to run three miles without stopping.  I also believe the health benefits of exercise are incredibly important (lowers risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc), and I think it keeps you younger longer. 

2) It allows me to eat more.  When I exercise, I earn more calories for my daily bank, and it allows me to have an extra treat or more volume.  Obviously, I could leave those calories on the table and lose more, but I am a food girl, and some days I do exercise to eat. 

Balancing diet and exercise can be tough sometimes, and no one is perfect.  I am far from perfect.  I have evenings where I get home and plop on the couch instead of suit up and hit the running trails.  Last night was one of those evenings.  It was a long day at work, and I decided to give myself the night off. 

However, when you do something like that, you have to remember the GIVE and TAKE. 

I GAVE myself the night off, so I was forced to TAKE some food off of my dinner menu.  I adhere to a strict daily calorie goal, and if I have planned for a dinner that exceeds that goal because of planned exercise and it doesn't happen, I must adjust my plans to fall back within my target. 

Last night I had a carb and a dessert planned to accompany my dinner.  Because I skipped my exercise, I had to take both off the table and up my veggies so as to not exceed my daily calorie goal.  The end result?  I got some much needed rest, and I still had a delicious dinner courtesy of my grill (my favorite cooking tool) and a variety of delicious veggies!  Life is all about balance, and in order to make a lifestyle change, you have to be realistic.  I work 10 hour days, I have an hour commute each way, and some days, I just need to relax instead of exercise.  Now, these days need to be the exception rather than the norm, but you have to know it's okay to do from time to time, and there are ways to make up for it.  Look at my delicious and satisfying dinner that kept me well-fueled, satisfied, and on the couch watching America's Got Talent and know that this is my give and take that keeps me sane and on the path toward my weight loss goals.

Grilled chicken with grilled vegetables seasoned with garlic salt and Italian seasoning - romaine, portabella mushroom, zucchini, squash, and onions.