Hi,

I just started working out and have a general question about caloric intake. At the moment I'm just interested in getting back into shape(as is my form). I'm 34, weigh 166lbs, 5'11. My question is actually about candy that I eat constantly all day. As a reformed smoker, I eat atomic fireballs all day (an entire bag). Its the only thing that I have ever found that will replace the cigs. This adds 560 calories to my diet every day. Do y'all think my addiction to this candy will seriously undermine my goals, that is, I don't need to lose weight, but need to get in better shape.

Any input, or suggestions would be appreciated.

560 calories of sugar is certainly quite an obstacle, considering that's around %25 of the healthy caloric intake for your weight. To put your candy consumption in perspective, it's the equivalent of eating half a jar of jam a day (~10 Tbsp.). The alternative, smoking, is far worse for your health, however; So on balance you're already ahead :tu:

If you can't give up the candy or wean yourself off of it, you might want to look into a lower-calorie candy. If you don't have an aversion to artificial sweeteners, look for candy made with Xylitol, Splenda, etc., etc.

Hi,

I just started working out and have a general question about caloric intake. At the moment I'm just interested in getting back into shape(as is my form). I'm 34, weigh 166lbs, 5'11. My question is actually about candy that I eat constantly all day. As a reformed smoker, I eat atomic fireballs all day (an entire bag). Its the only thing that I have ever found that will replace the cigs. This adds 560 calories to my diet every day. Do y'all think my addiction to this candy will seriously undermine my goals, that is, I don't need to lose weight, but need to get in better shape.

Any input, or suggestions would be appreciated.

How long has it been since you quite? I think if you've kicked cigarettes you can kick the candy too. I quite smoking almost 4 years ago and I didn't use any tactics like chewing gum or eating candy. You've kicked the physical addiction but now what you've done is trade one psychological addiction for another. Probably a healthier one, yes, but an addiction still. I'll bet if you tried you could wean yourself off of the fireballs.

OR just run 5 miles a day to "pay" for your atomic fireball habit.

equating a bag of sugar to a pain in the ass 5 mile run might be motivational.

Whenever I get the urge to eat something I know I shouldn't one of the things I consider is how much exercise I would have to do to make up for it. I feel like such an ass saying things to people like "that bottle of coke is a 3 mile run" or "an hour long weight session" or something else. However, it is true.

You can meet your goals however you want to meet them but diet is going to be the easiest way, IMO of course. Maybe you like running for hours every day. I don't. ;)