I didn't do well at work today...

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
I didn't do well at work today...
5
Wed, 09-07-2005 - 6:05pm
I had a turkey sandwich that I KNOW was unhealthy, but free lunch always seems to win me over. Then of course there were other sweets. So now I'm doing my second 30 minutes of exercise to punish myself. I wonder, why do I do it if I know what the consequences are??
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 09-07-2005 - 6:53pm

Thirty minutes extra workout won't hurt, but it should not be a punishment. Workouts should be a joy. Let lunch go! Put it behind you and move on!


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2004
Wed, 09-07-2005 - 7:03pm

I agree. If you start thinking of working out as a way to make up for bad eating, it could lead to a vicious cycle. First off, it could make you hate exercising (I know it does for me if I overdo it hoping to make up for bad food choices), or, it could lead to more overeating in the long run, due to the thinking "well, I'll just work it off". With as few calories as so many of us are eating compared to what our bodies use in a day, eating a lot more than planned for one day or meal is not going to cause us to gain any real weight. We may gain water weight or we may lose 1/2 lb less for the week, but it's not a terribly significant difference in the long run, if we get back on track as quickly as possible.

If you truly want to exercise becuase it makes you feel better, then go for it, but don't feel like you have to do it because you had one sandwich off plan. I ate horribly today (and last night), and I am thinking of doing my exercise bike tonight, but not to make up for the food (I would have to ride that thing for HOURS to make up for the food), but because it makes me feel good.

I hope that everything else has gone well for you today, and good luck staying on plan with your food and exercise!

Staci


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Thu, 09-08-2005 - 9:23am
Dont look at it as punishment.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2004
Thu, 09-08-2005 - 9:28am
Is there a way for you to let the people know in your surroundings (whether it be work or home) that you're trying to live healthier, without it being a humiliating experience?
Maybe you could even take the initiative and bring healthier snacks to work that everyone could share, rather than the not so healthy snacks that are present at the moment. Or perhaps there's someone else at work that might be going through a similar change to a healthier lifestyle that could be a support for you, and you for them.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
Thu, 09-08-2005 - 9:36am
Well it turns out that I didn't exercise because I was still too sore from my weights on Tuesday. When I got home and totaled my calories, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. The sandwich was about 500 calories but I didn’t eat the bread and scraped off some of the condiments. I also skipped my afternoon and evening snacks which total about 280 calories. So overall, its not too bad. It’s so hard at work though because we are young and struggling with money and free lunch is free lunch! I just need to remember how guilty I feel when I cheat and not do it. Also, one workout a day is plenty! I can’t really relate to anyone here since they are all skinny and beautiful women (really, ALL of them). I just need to stick with the snacks and lunch that I bring in for myself and remember my goals. I’ll never lose my 1-2 lbs a week if I give in. Once in a while is okay (I don’t want to deprive myself too much and rebel against it), but I can’t be doing it every week. Well today I did my 30 minutes of cardio and I’m doing my weight training tonight, so I guess I’ll just have to try to do well one day at a time. At least I’m getting another free lunch today, but this time it’s a fat free, low calorie salad!