The Tip of the Iceberg.

Do you ever wonder why most diet programs are so strict, particularly during their first phases?

It’s because during this critical time, any mistake you make will be amplified, since you’ve not yet assimilated the “good habits” of the diet. Each little mistake you make is an opportunity to return to old, unconstructive patterns.

The phrase “tip of the iceberg” is a well-worn cliché, fully embedded in our cultural consciousness as a parable for the (huge) hidden implications for a small thing (or action). By most estimates, about 90% of an iceberg’s mass is hidden underwater.

You long for a fitness-applicable example; I am duty-bound to provide you with one.

I often am asked, “What’s the harm in just having one beer (or glass of wine or cocktail)?”

Well, that 8 oz of fluid contains roughly 120-150 calories, which in and of itself is not such a big deal.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

If you’re on a low-carb regimen, one little sip of alcohol stops fat burning altogether. You see, your liver (which is your fat burning HQ) puts the lipolysis machinery on hold while it processes the alcohol sugars (a sensible executive decision, since the byproducts of alcohol breakdown are toxic, it makes sense to escort them off the premises before any of the sundry tasks of daily metabolism take place).

Now, let’s be honest – unless you’re an alcoholic, chances are you’ll have a snack or two along with that drink. And the preferred snacks all share one key characteristic: they whet the appetite for more food and drink.

As you can see, it’s not long before a little “iceberg” turns into a mindfield of ice floes.

As you go about your daily (fitness) business, be mindful of the impact small decisions can have on the big picture. Steer clear of those seemingly insignificant “tip of the iceberg” actions that can effectively sink your ship (and your progress).