Dear MissFit,

If a person were to consume an entire pumpkin pie, could the calories be burned off by several hours of vigorous rocking in a Lazy-boy recliner every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Christine

p.s. Does it make a difference if the pumpkin filling had cheesecake between the pumpkin and the pie crust?

Dear Christine,

That depends. If a person were to use their leg muscles as the exclusive means of propelling the recliner in a continuous back and forth motion and if that person were to watch an action show on television during the time allotted for rocking, it is conceivable that the calories could indeed be burned off over the course of 4 - 6 weeks.

However, this would apply to pumpkin pie only. The cheesecake is an entirely different matter. It can only be burned off by combining the exercise detailed above with intermittent walking back and forth to the refrigerator.

Again, this must be done for several hours each day for a period of at least 4 weeks.

The truth is, diet and exercise really are easy. You can enjoy pie and cheesecake this holiday season — but limit your self to one piece, not one pie.

Then use those legs muscles to propel yourself out of that Lazy-boy/girl and into a daily routine of walking or biking, and strengthen those triceps by doing one of the oldest exercises in the book: pushing yourself away from the table.

As you adjust to your daily routine, try taking some light hand weights on your walks or increasing your cycling distances. Lower your weight loss expectations until after the New Year and focus instead on weight maintenance through moderation.

These simple steps will have you seeing some positive results in less than four weeks.

Miss Fit

Have a question for MissFit? E-mail her at missfitpv@yahoo.co

m

Rate Personal Fitness with a kick.

Ave. rating: 5 from 4 votes.

ExcellentVery GoodGoodFairPoor