The Work out, Pig Out Cycle…(The Self Sabotage Cycle)

Many of you would have experienced what is known as the “Work Out, Pig Out Cycle”. The cycle is driven by the thought process of having earned the right to treat yourself after a big workout session.

And it is a bullshit cycle.

While post workout hunger isn’t a choice (and differs greatly from gender and person to person*), the post workout meal is.

Many people want to believe it is a physiological problem, after working out they have the desire to treat themselves, a reward for the effort they have just put in. This reward is actual punishment though. The post workout pig out has resulted in erasing most of (if not all) the benefits the workout has just provided.

The truth is it is a behavioural thing, while you may not have control of your hunger you can certainly control your food choices.

Avoid falling into the trap of eating fries, ice creams, and other treats post workout cause you feel you’ve earned a treat. The simple truth is this is bullshit, a workout does not give you an excuse or even a reason to eat junk!!

Sticking to minimally processed foods with a good source of protein is always the best choice after a workout. These foods will benefit the workout, enhance recovery time between workouts, and are the most filling types of foods…meaning they are less likely to be overeaten post workout.

*A recent study (by Tobin SY, Cornier M-A, White MH, Hild AK, Simonsen SE, Melanson EL, et al.) on hunger after acute exercise showed that Men are hungrier after aerobic exercise then strength, and women are hungriest after strength work.