Have you ever..... Had wine or donuts after a workout because you wanted to add a reward to your effort?

I'm always talking about Mindset, Nutrition & Exercise and how they are all connected in a big way. Recently it has been coming up a lot in conversations that I am having.

Last week, I read post written by Raewyn Ng about people's often difficult connection with exercise and food, inspiring this blog. This is the article that inspired me: https://www.mybod.co.nz/2024/04/10/redefining-attitudes-towards-food-and-exercise/’

We often have a problem with using food as a reward for exercise or achievements.This practice is familiar to many of us, right? After a tough workout or achieving a fitness goal, we often indulge in a favorite treat to celebrate our hard work.

I am all about rewards, but it's crucial to consider the broader implications of our overall attitude toward food and exercise during these moments of indulgence. What precedents are you setting for yourself and is this a learned behaviour that hinders reaching health and fitness goals? Does it foster healthy active living practices, or does it instead create a negative impact and leave us riddled with guilt and a scarred sense of self-worth? While food rewards can provide instant gratification and motivation, it's crucial to consider their long-term effects on our mindset. This thoughtful consideration can lead to a more enlightened approach to our health and wellness.

Using food as a reward for exercise can make us see physical activity as a punishment. This mindset can create a harmful cycle of restricting and then overeating, leading to feelings of guilt or shame about food choices. Or worse, we may develop a negative relationship to moving at all! It's a downward spiral from there, and it's important to be aware of this potential harm.

Also, if you rely too much on food rewards, it can take away from the good things about exercising, like feeling happier, having more energy, and just feeling better overall. Instead of treating exercise as a punishment or as a justification for treats, we should shift our mindset to view it as a celebration of the many rewards it offers, both physically and mentally. Another aspect to consider is that exercise is an investment in healthy aging; we lose it if we don't use it. Think of it as a tactic for your future in longevity and independent living. No aged care facility for this girl, if I can help it!

I help my clients embrace this attitude and mindset to develop a healthier and more sustainable relationship with food and exercise, rooted in appreciation and purpose rather than guilt.

That's my take, what is yours?