Food as Fuel

Why food and exercise should not be viewed as transactional

Stephanie MacNeill

Just as exercise should not be punishment, food should not be viewed as a reward for exercising. Seems simple, right? But in practice, it’s not that easy. Think of how many times you’ve said, “I’m not running today, so I can’t eat carbs” or “I did a long run today, so I deserve this treat” or “I ate too much last night, so I need to run longer today.” If you’ve ever found yourself thinking along these lines, you’re not alone. The concept that you need to earn your treats and work off your indulgences is all too common, but also self-defeating. Exercise becomes a way of fixing your perceived shortcomings, and food becomes either a treat or a tool for self-deprivation. (No wonder people don’t like healthy eating or exercise,…

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Canadian Running (Digital) - 1 Issue, July/August 2022

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