Exercising to Overeat? Think Again….

When it comes to diets, many struggle with following them closely. Sometimes, to make up for a “slip up” in a diet, people will do some extra exercise to burn the calories and make up for it. This isn’t a good idea though, and here’s why.

First off, something might come up. For example, you might drink a sugary soda at work (to maintain your energy), with plans to go to the gym afterwards. But then you’re assigned a new project and have to stay late, leaving you no time for a workout.

It changes your view of exercise too. It becomes something you have to do in order to eat anything! Pretty soon all you care about is how many calories you’ve burned. What about having fun?! Going to the lake with your friends and skiing with your family are a more fulfilling (and fun) ways to exercise.

You’re also missing out on nutrients. When you enjoy some empty calories and exercise like crazy to work it off, you’re not using your calories wisely. Instead you could have enjoyed some yummy chicken with steamed vegetables smothered in a low-fat cheese sauce. Tasty and filled with nutrients! Sure you can take a multivitamin, but it’s not quite the same. Besides, many people aren’t diligent in taking pills daily, especially when it’s something like a multivitamin.

It can be difficult to determine exactly how many calories you ate, vs. how many you burned at the gym. Many people underestimate how many calories they ate (probably because of portion sizes), and they overestimate how many calories they burned at the gym. Basically, you’re probably not going to burn it all off anyways! You’re better off sticking to your diet and respectfully declining the birthday cake.

It also can destroy the consistency of your diet. If you indulge in junk food every other day and exercise like mad to make up for it, you’re not building healthy habits that will last. Instead you’re just playing “catch up” all the time. It’s much easier to develop a taste for healthy food and stick to it, than to constantly jump between junk food and exercise and healthy food. It can cause your weight to yo-yo back and forth, and that’s not good for your body either!

When trying to lose weight, it’s best just to use the timeless methods you’ve always heard. Eat your fruits and veggies, limit your junk food, and get enough exercise. Don’t try to make unrealistic changes that you won’t be able to stick to in the long run. If you tell yourself “it’s only for 2 weeks”, you’ll go back to your old habits after and gain back all the weight you just lost. Instead focus on making changes that will last, like switching for fat-free dairy products, or finding enjoyable ways to eat vegetables. You can do this!

About the Author

Alyssa Beal Alyssa Staheli is a health and fitness enthusiast. She loves to write and share her knowledge with others. This is because she believes that “knowledge is power” and that with the right information, you can do anything. You can find Alyssa on Google+.