So… Yesterday I posted some pictures on my social media of a lovely lunch break in a beautiful cafe. I had a salted caramel milkshake, a buddha bowl full of veggies and houmous, and a cupcake for dessert. Today I had a comment on my photo saying that I should “take it easy” otherwise I’ll need to do “hard exercise”.
THIS MENTALITY HAS TO CHANGE
Just a small comment but I have a lot to say about it.
Firstly, my body, my eating habits, what I chose to do or not do with my body is nobody else’s business but my own.
Secondly, this mentality is highly problematic and and it has got to change. The notion that I ate a big meal and therefore I should “take it easy” or I will need to do a lot of exercise. To what end? Burn calories? Be “good” after eating “badly”? THIS IS WRONG. If you know me, or follow my social media, you will know that I am a big foodie. I love to cook and I love to eat out. It is so important to me now that I DO NOT place any moral value on food. No food is inherently “good” and no food is inherently “bad”. This therefore means that I don’t feel the need or pressure burn off calories that I have consumed. I enjoy every bite that I eat, and then I move on with my day.
Thirdly, it upsets me that exercise has become something that people punish themselves with. We have all done this at some point… “Oh if eat [insert delicious food item], I will have to do X minutes of cardio to burn off the calories”. HOLD IT RIGHT THERE. Exercise is not a form of torture. It should never be a source of negativity that you force yourself to do to burn calories.
Here comes the mindset change…
- Instead of commenting on other people’s bodies, eating habits, exercise routines etc., try to not be judgemental. Nobody knows your body better than you. Listen to your own body and forget about what everyone else does or eats. Your body – your business.
- Instead of referring to food as good or bad, trying getting rid of any words that don’t literally describe what is on your plate. E.g. Instead of “I have been naughty and eaten a piece of cake, so at the gym I have to run on the treadmill to burn off those bad calories” (full disclosure, I REALLY HATE treadmill running) Try ” I ate a piece of cake and really enjoyed it. It’s not going to affect whether I move my body or not this evening/week.”
- Instead of using exercise to punish your body, try finding something that you really love to do. You don’t have to go to the gym if you hate it (a Personal Trainer telling you that you don’t have to go to the gym?? WHAT?!?!). I’m not saying you can totally give on exercise because there are SOOO many health benefits. But lets start to think outside the box. Love to dance? Get your butt in a Zumba class. Outdoor type? Hiking/trail running might be the one for you. Are you a water baby? Swimming! Like a challenge for your brain and your body? Grab a friend and try indoor climbing.
My message to you is always the same. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Reserve judgement because it is just not necessary. You DO You. Be the best version of YOU.
Love Becky xx
Becky Health and Fitness 