What Do Calories Count?

Last week I trained a client who recently lost a substantial amount of weight. She called on me for active recovery from the intense exercising. We opened tight shoulders, mobilized locked up hips, and reactivated her core. I wove the pieces together with standing yoga poses and a deep relaxation. She moaned with “delight” as we released and realigned her achy parts. I relish theses moments when my work provides immediate relief.

Then she asked, “How many calories did we burn?” My heart sank. I had no idea how to justify our session with a number.

I rationalized that moving with more ease and efficiency will sustain her ongoing aerobic efforts. Although her body felt better than it had for weeks, our time didn’t “count”.

I felt like a chef watching people savor each bite of my lavish and healthy meal. Then being asked,  “How many calories was that?”

Why collapse eating and moving into myopic digits? Let’s lose count.  Feast on the rich flavors, varied textures, and nourishing benefits of movement.