Yesterday I stumbled across one of the UK’s most bonkers traditions, the Black Pudding Throwing Championship.
Yep, you read that right.
Every year in Ramsbottom near Manchester, people gather outside a pub to fling black puddings at stacks of Yorkshire puddings perched 20 feet up.
And no, I’m not making this up.
Picture this: grown adults launching sausages skyward, cheered on by crowds, all trying to topple Yorkshire puds as part of a friendly rivalry dating back to the Wars of the Roses.
It’s a mix of British humour, history, and downright weirdness.
Now, you might wonder why on earth I’m telling you this.
Well, if you’ve read these blogs before, you’ll know I love starting with something odd, funny, or downright strange.
Hopefully it keeps you entertained, gives us a laugh, and more importantly, proves I can connect just about anything to health and fitness.
Challenge accepted.
Here we go.
Imagining watching those black puddings fly reminded me how many people approach fitness the wrong way.
Hear me out.
At first glance, you might think the harder you throw, the better you’ll do.
Go big, go hard, leave nothing behind.
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
It’s the same way many of us approach exercise.
We believe to get in shape, we need to nail ourselves every session.
Pushing until we’re sweaty messes collapsed on gym floors.
But more effort doesn’t always mean better results.
Just like the Black Pudding Throwing Championship, successful fitness isn’t about mindlessly throwing everything you’ve got.
It’s about skill, strategy, and doing things effectively rather than exhaustingly.
If you’re always chasing the burn, dripping with sweat, and crawling out of the gym, chances are you’re missing the point.
Here’s the truth bomb: You don’t actually burn fat in the gym.
Not directly, anyway.
I know, mind-blowing stuff.
Fat loss happens mostly outside the gym, when you’re consistently eating fewer calories than your body uses.
Simply put, maintaining a calorie deficit through a healthy, balanced diet and tracking what you eat is the real key to shedding fat.
Now, speaking of diets, let’s talk about those black puddings.
Delicious?
Absolutely.
But they’re not exactly diet-friendly.
Depending on the recipe, black pudding can pack around 297 calories and 22g of fat per 100g.
That’s a hefty load for a small sausage.
Sausages, in general, are often high in fat, which means more calories.
While they can provide protein, the fat content can make them less ideal if you’re aiming for fat loss.
Instead, focusing on lean protein sources can help you stay in a calorie deficit without sacrificing nutrition.
Here are some better options:
- Chicken breast: High in protein, low in fat, and versatile for many dishes.
- Turkey: Another lean meat that’s great for sandwiches, salads, or main dishes.
- Fish: Options like cod, haddock, or tuna are rich in protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
- Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are excellent plant-based protein sources with the added benefit of fibre.
- Low-fat dairy: Greek yoghurt or cottage cheese can provide protein while keeping fat content in check.
So, what should you focus on in the gym?
Resistance training.
Lifting weights.
Getting stronger.
Building muscle.
This type of exercise shapes your body, creating tone, definition, and that “fit” look everyone wants.
And bonus, building muscle boosts your metabolism.
Translation: you naturally burn more calories just chilling on your sofa.
Pretty cool, right?
So next time you’re tempted to punish yourself with endless cardio, pause and think of our sausage-launching friends in Ramsbottom.
Their championship isn’t won by brute force alone, it’s won by a combination of smart strategy, consistency, and a bit of skill.
Fitness is no different.
Train smart, not just hard.
Use your gym time to build strength, improve your form, and lift with purpose.
Focus your fat-loss efforts in the kitchen, logging your food intake, and staying in a calorie deficit.
Although, knowing the way the fitness world goes, I half expect to see Black Pudding Throwing pop up in cities across the UK next.
Some poor souls paying forty quid to launch sausages at scaffolding in a car park, convinced it’s the missing link to peak fitness.
It wouldn’t surprise me.
There’s always a new challenge popping up.
Something designed to leave you breathless, wrecked, and wondering why you paid to suffer.
Somehow, effort has become the only metric that matters.
If it doesn’t feel like punishment, people assume it can’t work.
But it can.
You just need a solid plan.
Smart, structured resistance training in the gym.
And a simple, realistic diet outside of it, based on lean protein, whole foods, and staying in a calorie deficit.
That’s what builds the body you actually want.
Ryan
P.S
If you’re ready to train smart, eat better, and get in shape without the fluff, click here to find out more.
No trends.
No nonsense.
Just a simple plan that works.