Some thoughts and discussions from me.

Good morning, my friends! I hope you’re having a lovely week so far.

Mine’s been filled with writing assignments, online clients, in-person clients, and teaching – with a side of volleyball and housework. We are finally getting window treatments in our home today, and I’m very much excited not to have to dart around like a ninja after each shower, haha! Unfortunately, it’s been raining here in Colorado this week, so mountain adventures have been nil. This weekend though, it’s on.

So today’s topic is one that I actually touched on in Monday’s post on a whim – burning off food calories with exercise.

ice

[Tweet “Burning off the Cookies – via @TrainerPaige”]

We’ve all been there…

WHY did I eat that whole bowl of ice cream? Ugh, I’m fat. I’ll just run a couple extra miles tomorrow.

or

I can have three more oreos if I make it to tomorrow morning’s spin class!

We’ve also all seen the graphics meant to be a friendly reminder to us to make us have second thoughts before we eat that cookie/large fry/cheeseburger/etc.

burpees

Eeeeek. I was hesitant even posting that graphic on my site, because I am so vehemently against that way of thinking. Why?

Why should we not equate food calories to exercise?

Because it equate exercise with punishment. Punishment and scare tactics for eating that pie. If you eat that slice of pie, 10,000 burpees are in your future! Think twice about that!

No. Just no.

This just further enhances the chances of exercise leading to burn out. To making those who don’t really like exercise in the first place stop doing it or become even more of an all-or-nothing aspect in their lives.

I’m much more in favor for equating exercise – whether it’s cardio or strength training – with bettering your health, your ability, your physique, and your strength, and NOT with punishment for indulgences.

Listen, I get where they’re coming from. It’s not that the aim is to induce unhealthy relationships with food, calories, and exercise. It’s to get you to think twice about how much you’re actually eating, and how much you actually burn off with exercise. Because in general, people think they burn more than they actually do during our workouts. In reality, 30 minutes of cardio burns between 200-300 calories, which hardly puts a dent in that slice of double oreo cheesecake.

card

(hey, that picture is from this video!)

I’m not saying that to bum you out. I’m saying it because including the proper conditioning and strength workouts in our routines in a consistent and progressive matter will make us stronger, fitter, and yes – increase our metabolism over time – so that you should be able to enjoy a treat every now and then.

And if you really want that cookie, and want to “make up for it,” I’m all for that – in moderation.In fact, I applaud you for not thinking “welp, I blew it! Better have another one!”

cookies

I’m completely team “indulge every now and then without consequences or feeling bad,” but there are also times when we can fit it in our daily plan. For those times, instead of having that mentality – and instead of thinking about ways of “burning off the cookies,” think about how you can fit it into your daily meals that day. Maybe you pass on the mayo and eat your sandwich open-faced at dinner.

OK – I digress. Now I’m getting off on another tangent 😛 We’ll just end it here, and open it up to what you guys think. I’d love to hear your opinion and input! Please let me know in the comments below.

[Tweet “Burning off the Cookies – via @TrainerPaige #fitfluential”]

What are your thoughts on the “burning off” calories with exercise mentality?

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