As humans, we tend to justify doing things if we know it is something we shouldn’t do. We always find at least one reason why a certain action is alright.
If we convince ourselves that something is ok for us to do, then we will do it. As we do this more and more, it gets easier to convince ourselves. It all starts with our mindset though.
Photo Credit: http://www.mind-sets.com/
In the world of fitness, one mindset that I see others taking on often is that it’s ok to eat a certain food because they are going to exercise later to burn it off. I see this as a problem.
The problem is that this way of thinking can become a very slippery slope. I two big reasons for why I believe this.
1) As you continue to do this, you will feel forced to exercise.
When you start thinking this way, it’s easy at first. You can eat whatever you want, yet it’s fine because you exercise later.
However, as you go down this road, you will eventually come to the conclusion that: if I eat something bad, I have to exercise. Working out becomes a chore because you wanted to enjoy a piece of your favorite pie.
This makes you see working out as something you have to do versus something you get to do. Do you see the difference? No one wants to do something if it is forced upon them.
They want to enjoy it. They want to look forward to it. It becomes hard to do this when you take on this mindset.
2) You feel guilty eating something if you don’t exercise after.
This can be even more dangerous. You will not always make time to work out, but you will always make time to eat. That’s human nature.
However, when you don’t get time or don’t make time to exercise after eating that not-so-good-for-you food you can feel guilty about it. You knew that if you ate that food, you had to exercise. You weren’t able to though. This can lead to guilt very quickly.
When you feel guilty about anything, it is never a good thing. You will feel ashamed for having your favorite food. You will feel discouraged because you know you have “fallen off track”.
This can lead to high levels of stress, which is the exact opposite of what you want. Chronic stress can lead to decreased metabolism, break down of muscle tissue, and increased body fat.
All of these things only keep you from getting where you want to be. That is the power of guilt. This will continue to happen unless you change the way you think.
I say all of this for a reason. I want you to be able to enjoy your food and your exercise. I do not think that anyone should deprive themselves of their favorite foods or think that they have to work out right after they eat it.
Nutrition and exercise are all about consistency. If you are 85-90% consistent with these two things you will see great changes take place. So, that leaves 10-15% left over.
It is in this time, that you can enjoy your favorite “unhealthy” foods. Why? Because you are being consistent the other 85-90% of the time. That is what matters.
Let’s say that you eat 4 big meals every day of the week. This would equate to 28 meals throughout the week. If you are following the above approach, 2-4 (10-15%) of those meals could be “cheat” meals. These are the meals where you can enjoy those “bad” foods.
It works well because in the other 24-26 meals you are eating as you should to accomplish your goals. This provides you with freedom, because you know that having those foods aren’t going to hinder your progress.
It is best to do this on one day out of the week. By doing that, it gives you something to look forward to. It also keeps you on track, because you know that you won’t cheat any other day of the week.
This is the mindset that you want to foster. It’s the one that will help get you to where you want to be. You will no longer feel guilty or feel that you have to exercise.
You will enjoy eating well. You will enjoy working out. You will enjoy those days where you have your favorite “cheat” foods. And you will accomplish every one of your goals.
And that, my friends, is the ultimate mindset.
If you are looking for a personal trainer in Savannah, contact me to set up a consultation.
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