Exercise is not a punishment; food is not the reward for getting through it.

I don’t blame you for thinking that way. It’s what many of us were taught, and it’s how many of us think.

Here’s the thing: Exercise is important, but not for the reasons you think.

Let’s break it down. Food is 80% of the equation and exercise is just 20%. To lose weight, you will need to follow the 80/20 (food/exercise) protocol and cut (or burn) more calories than you consume.

It takes A LOT of activity to create a calorie deficit through working out. Now, maybe you are one of those people who reward yourself for exercising.

Say you wake up, go for a five-mile run and burn around 500 calories. Go, you! Surely you deserve a muffin . Which has around 500 calories. And we’re back where we started.

It’s important to separate diet and exercise. Eating real foods like fruits, vegetables, quality protein, and other whole foods gives you meals that are colorful versatile and good for you.

Exercise is great for your body and your mind. Running and aerobic exercise release a flood of endorphins into your bloodstream. Have you ever heard the term “runner’s high”? It’s real, a feeling of euphoria coupled with reduced anxiety and a lessened ability to feel pain.

So, while you can’t exercise your way out of a bad diet, your good diet and exercise regimen can and will help you lose weight ✅✅✅.

Let’s break the cycle of using food as a reward or exercise as a punishment; Enjoy moving your body, it’s a gift!

Comment YES 🙌 below if you agree!

Xx Lauren