San Diego elephants lose weight on ‘dumbo’ diet

Over the past 9 years 7 Elephants of the San Diego Zoo have lost a combined weight of 11,314 lbs.  Most of the captive elephants we see are much more passive then their wild counterparts and so they tend be a bit more overweight.

The elephants lost this weight through an increase in activity and a decrease in the amount of calories consumed (diet & exercise).  The weight loss was calculable and consistent.

So what does this have to do with you?  I’ll admit, we as people do not have a lot in common with elephants.  But we do share a similar metabolism when it comes to energy in and energy out.  

So why do you have so much trouble losing weight and the elephants seem to be rock stars at it?  

Two things.

1.  You think too much.

2.  You have a choice.

Mind set is the number one reason why so many people have trouble when it comes to losing weight.  Some believe that they are somehow magically destined to be obese their entire lives.  Unless of course they find that magic diet or pill to counteract the magic curse.

Remember, it’s not so much the diet or routine you’re on.  It’s more about your ability to stay consistent and follow things through to the end.  These elephants don’t have a choice in the matter.  You do.

Based on a premise I learned from Mike Rousell and Alwyn Cosgrove I decided to do a micro 4 minute workout today.

The idea is to do these small workouts in between our much larger workouts in order to take advantage of the compounding fat burning effects that take place for up to 36 hours “after” we train.

Only in my case I’m not so much trying to burn fat as I am trying to put on some lean muscle.

So what’s my rationale?

Well I’m not at risk of over training because the workouts are small and consist mainly of higher rep exercises.  So no muscle damage occurs.

I feel they’ll be beneficial because I will be pumping blood and nutrients to the muscles I trained hard the previous day.

Not to mention it won’t hurt to stimulate my metabolism a little.  Especially because when I train to put on muscle I consume more calories and I’d like them to be going to the proper place if you know what I mean.

If it works out well I’ll definitely report on the subject again in the near future.

Until then, you can check out some of Mike and Alwyns stuff at Warp Speed Fat Loss

Or if you’re interested in creating your own micro workouts check out the Body Bot