Food Rant
So I've been seeing a lot of dieting shows and magazine articles lately and a lot of them state, "Don't think of food as a reward when you're doing well in your life." Don't think of food as a reward? Are you KIDDING me? Every culture in the entire world thinks of food as a reward, American culture especially, and I personally don't think that's a bad thing. Food IS a reward. When you want to try to impress someone, you'll take them out to a good restaurant or cook a delicious meal. On someone's birthday, we make them baked goods and sugary cakes. When someone gets a promotion or to celebrate anything, everyone goes out eating and drinking. It's part of our culture and part of everyday life.
I think the statement should actually be, "Don't reward yourself by overeating." If I run 5 or 6 miles, you bet your ass I'm going to eat more than I normally would, partially as a "reward". Does this mean that I go out and get a cheeseburger, fries and a milkshake? No. It means that I may go get a foot long sub made with fresh ingredients with lots of veggies. Would I normally eat a huge sandwich for lunch? No. But I will to reward myself. It's a reward without being too unhealthy. Almost every day I get a breakfast sandwich (egg and cheese on a whole wheat english muffin). Is it the healthiest breakfast I could eat? No. But it makes my day start well and I've already exercised that morning so I deserve something delicious. Do I reward myself with a breakfast sandwich made with bacon or sausage with a side of homefries and french toast? No. I eat something that I wouldn't be eating if I weren't exercising so much, but it's not necessarily unhealthy.
In my opinion, it's worth it for me to be 5 pounds heavier to not have a psychological issue when I eat something that's not great for me. As long as I'm exercising and I'm healthy, food will be a reward for me. In fact, I think I need to go have a snack right now.
*Side note - Has anyone else seen What Would Brian Boitano Make? on the Food Network. I think this is the most hilarious cooking show I've ever seen and I love it. I had no idea he was so... for lack of a better word... gay. Charmingly, charmingly gay. I recommend it.
I think the statement should actually be, "Don't reward yourself by overeating." If I run 5 or 6 miles, you bet your ass I'm going to eat more than I normally would, partially as a "reward". Does this mean that I go out and get a cheeseburger, fries and a milkshake? No. It means that I may go get a foot long sub made with fresh ingredients with lots of veggies. Would I normally eat a huge sandwich for lunch? No. But I will to reward myself. It's a reward without being too unhealthy. Almost every day I get a breakfast sandwich (egg and cheese on a whole wheat english muffin). Is it the healthiest breakfast I could eat? No. But it makes my day start well and I've already exercised that morning so I deserve something delicious. Do I reward myself with a breakfast sandwich made with bacon or sausage with a side of homefries and french toast? No. I eat something that I wouldn't be eating if I weren't exercising so much, but it's not necessarily unhealthy.
In my opinion, it's worth it for me to be 5 pounds heavier to not have a psychological issue when I eat something that's not great for me. As long as I'm exercising and I'm healthy, food will be a reward for me. In fact, I think I need to go have a snack right now.
*Side note - Has anyone else seen What Would Brian Boitano Make? on the Food Network. I think this is the most hilarious cooking show I've ever seen and I love it. I had no idea he was so... for lack of a better word... gay. Charmingly, charmingly gay. I recommend it.