Originally Posted by jojoluvsu2

I did go to the Gym and had a great workout, and a also had a few epiphanies about my attitudes towards food and exercies.

First, the workout. I coordinate going to the gym with my boyfriend going to boxing, and tonight his class was 1.5 hours, so that means I had a little longer at the gym. So I did an hour of cardio for ~1000 cals (or however accurate the calorie counter is on those machines! But i did work up quite a sweat so I know I was working hard, plus my hear rate hit near max on my intervals). I also did a half hour of weights; tonight was back/chest and triceps.

But I think more importantly than actually doing the exercise is that I realized that I often reward myself for some good deed or sticking to my plan by eating foods restricted in my diet plan (perrogies, chocolate, fries etc.) and punish myself for going off plan by having to do extra mins of cardio at the gym. I'm sure we all do this from time to time; we ate that extra cookie at lunch so we need to do an extra 20 minutes on the stairclimber. Or we're good and on track for a week so we get to eat that huge piece of chocolate cate or have fries rather than salad. And I realized that's just conditioning my brain to always hate exercise, and always seek out junk food! I think it's important to treat oneself every now and then, but I don't think it should be a "reward". As well, I should enjoy and look forward to trips to the gym ('cause I do feel really good afterwards) but if it's always, "I've been bad and here's my consequence", I'm never going to want to go! So, as of today, I'm going to try to associate the gym with all things positive; that endorphin high after a killer cardio session, muscles being sore the next morning (I actually enjoy this, means I worked hard!), being able to lift more and run faster next week. And as for "reward food", I'm just going to treat it as part of my diet plan, that Thursday I'll have a food I'm craving as part of my calorie count and not because I did so well during the week.

Wow, this turned into a rant. Sorry 'bout that!

I hope everyone's Wednesday morning weigh-ins went well!

Ciao