Let this be the first of many reminders that you don't need to run 5 miles, do 1,000 burpees, hit the gym extra during these Holiday weeks just to "earn" a piece of your favorite holiday dessert. You don't need to earn the "right" to eat or enjoy food EVER.
As a former cardio queen that used to spend HOURS in and outside the gym in the "fat burning" zone and obsessively counting calories, I think about this often. I found holidays and times centered around food especially stressful. It stole the joy from all that the season is supposed to focus towards. It's crazy how what I grew up with learning, reading, and watching became a part of who I am. Even as an adult who doesn't do the yo-yo dieting, restrictive mentality thing, I sometimes still struggle with trying to "earn" my food. Do you ever feel guilt of shame for eating something, or hating parts of your body when you look in the mirror? These are incredibly difficult habits and behaviors to shift.
You are human. You deserve food. Food is nourishment for your body and mind and should be enjoyable and satisfying. The idea that you need to punish yourself for eating creates a transactional relationship between food and exercise. This mentality is so toxic, and I spent a lot of time in therapy to recover. I have vowed I would not pass this onto my kids, and I would be a champion and encourager for women who struggle with this mentality. It is not sustainable, and I wasted a lot of mental, emotional and physical energy trying to "burn" calories with cardo and high repetition strength training. All I ended up having to show for it was a lot of added stress, physical imbalances, chronic pain, and anxiety.
Sometimes, you eat less, and sometimes you eat more. MANY things influence your metabolism and the idea that a specific exercise "burns off" a food is oversimplified and inaccurate. You have permission to move in a way you love. You have permission to move when it's right for your body. So, enjoy the holidays, your family, and the food. Don't worry about articles that say you need to do XYZ to burn off that extra piece of pie. If you are focusing on eating food that are nourishing for your body, that piece of pecan pie or that cinnamon roll at your great-aunt Suzie's house, isn't going to blow everything you are working towards.
Before blindly accepting something as fact or running towards the latest diet or nutrition fad, try to always do these two things:
1) Ask WHY. Why is it better? Why is it wrong? Why is it good for you? Why is it necessary? Is this nourishing or depriving?
2) IF the answer is "because that's what they say"...ask WHO IS THEY? A lot of opinions are floating around out there (and biases), and just because someone has one, doesn't mean it's actually true, right for you, or has legitimate research behind it.
You get one body, and it is incredibly resilient and forgiving. Be gentle with yourself. Be kind. Give it the best chance for longevity because it is the kind and loving thing for your body...not because of guilt or because society sets a certain standard.
Let me know if this is an area you have also struggled with. Together we are stronger.
Love and blessings,
Melinda Haak
0 Comments