Food and Fitness

Time is flying by -- it's already almost week 5! Last class, we talked about the relationship between food and fitness in the overall scheme of weight management. Based on our discussion, it seems that starting an exercise program, being motivated to continue the exercise program, and progressively increasing the intensity of the program are key areas of concern for people.

I challenged you to view food and exercise in a different way. Instead of automatically thinking that food is good and exercise is bad, take a thoughtful approach to both. Why is food good and exercise bad? Why do we like eating so much but hate moving?

The relationship between food and exercise should be one of balance. I like food but I also like to exercise. It's when one of the variables gets out of wack that we have either weight gain or weight loss.


I know that exercise can be challenging. It can be defeating. It can make you feel sick, sore, and sweaty. The great part, though, is that it's YOUR time. You get to zone out, turn off your mind, and just listen to your body. It's amazing.

I also know that food can be a wonderful comfort. It can be something that we look forward to, something that makes us feel better and take our minds off of a stressful situation.

Most of all, I know that I have a much different view of fitness and food than probably 90% of Americans. I look at food as means to not being hungry. Exercise is my stress relief - it's what I look forward to. I eat so I can exercise - not the other way around. (Not that I'm perfect by any means, trust me!).

Integrate positive thoughts into your day about exercise. What do you like about it? Try putting exercise in the category of "good" things in your brain.