Walking for Cookies

Today I was wondering how many calories I burn while walking. You know, just a rough estimate. I have a habit when I am doing a lot of exercise to assume I can eat whatever I want to because, hey, at least I'm exercising. It usually doesn't work out like that. I almost always consume more calories than I ever burned while exercising.

Well, today I found out that you can estimate about 100 calories per mile of moderate walking. For me it's actually a little more because of my weight, but honestly it's better for me to estimate on the low end. That means in 9 mile walk, my body could burn about 900 calories. Cool. Also good to know because it means I cannot come home and consume a whole Little Caeser's Pepperoni pizza like I really want to after walking that far.

Here's the downside about having this reference for walking though. Girl Scout cookie season has started and now I am measuring my walks in Girl Scout cookies.

For example:

Walking to work in the morning = 3 Peanut Butter sandwich cookies (Do-si-dohs)

Walking my parents dog = 2 Caramel Delites (Samoas)

A 5k = 10 Shortbreads (Trefoils)

An epic hike = About 21 Thin Mints... Score!!

Maybe not my most productive train of thought, but you know, sometimes it's whatever motivates you.

Today's Motivation:

With a Daisy Girl Scout in my house selling cookies this year, I think I'm going to be using these calculations quite a bit. All joking aside though, I'm grateful for the perspective. Exercise is important, but knowing how much I am putting into my mouth is really what is going to help me in the long run... or walk.