Don't like exercise? Can't bear the thought of getting up early to put yourself through gruelling rounds of sado-masochism for the want of addressing a guilty conscience? Does it make you sick? Do you like the naughty foods that you "aren't supposed" to eat? I sympathise!
I find myself stuck in that awful spiral of hating exercise and eating right. You might relate. How can one possibly like exercise? It's painful, sickening, it gobbles up hours of your day, PLUS if you're not eating right, it's just going to be a waste of time anyway.
Not long ago however, I used to really like Exercise. I used to exercise every day - 6 days a week and yes I used to be one to say "Exercise is great! How can one not like it? Exercise is so good! I can't fathom how I'd get by without exercise!". I used to eat clean and not think clean food was bland or boring. Maybe you can relate?
However, after 2013 end-of-year Uni exams, and with Christmas and New Year breaching the waters, I experienced fall far from grace. What was once a disciplined regiment of 6 calorie-counted meals per day and diligent carrying-out of precisely pre-planned schedules, overnight became a world of pleasurable celebrations and do-whatever-your-carnal-desires-please.
Sound familiar?
What is really interesting is why exercise is so difficult to "bounce back into" once you've "bounced on out-of-it". Well, I heard something today that you may find interesting to know.
This brings us to our quote of the day. This entry comes from coach Robert Kastoun at Revolution X crossfit gym. Having spent the last three months out-of-action and failing to "bounce back in" (the last two attempts ended up with being violently sick), I asked Robert the question.
"Why does it feel so sh*t to be back in training after all this time off?"
To which Robert replied.
"Because you've been eating خرة you lazy arse"
- Robert Kastoun
(Translation for the Arabic term خرة can be found below).
Sure it sounds like a scolding... Heck yeah it was a scolding.
However, Robert went on to shed some light on how our eating habits affect some of our body's functions, and how these functions support the continuation of our established eating habits.
Simply ie we eat chocolate = we want more chocolate OR, we eat clean food = we enjoy clean food or at least aren't opposed to continue eating clean food.
Now I'm no dietitian or health expert, but Robert certainly is (18 years in the health industry as a professional with consistent and on-going study plus some guns to match) so I apologise for not having the science behind this post.
He matter-of-factly explained how a person with bad eating habits will want to continue to eat bad (it's a habit, go figure). However (and more interestingly) the affect that bad eating has on their body will oppose good eating habits ie eating clean food can actually make this person feel sick and weak.
Ever had a health-food freak try a greasy-meal and watch them turn green? This is not purely psychological, it's also a very real, physical phenomenon.
Robert's explanation looked something like this. Again I apologise for not getting all the science details as I was KO'd after a nightmarish workout.
1. Someone (me) has established a habit of eating chocolate for breakfast (YES! IT'S AWESOME!).
2. Chocolate takes very little effort to digest, as a result, the digestive system isn't working very hard to keep things running.
3. Because the digestive system is lax, the enzymes and stomach acid are in a relaxed state.
4. Introduce clean, healthy food which actually requires some hard work to break down.
5. Without the means and resources ready to break down this food, it just has to sit in the gut as the body tries to get up to speed.
6. Feel sick, weak, tired, want to go back onto chocolate
7. Also because of point 2, this person (again, me) is prone to getting reflux as well as a host of other issues.
It really goes to explain why since trying to switch back to 6 clean meals a day, I am struggling with keeping up with the volume of food I am consuming whereas I never used to struggle with this before. I'm always feeling full and have no appetite when it comes to the next meal. Rob's explanation also goes on to explain why I'm feeling sick after a workout (point 7).
SO... What does one in my position need to do? (Assuming one wishes to become fit and healthy and strong and all those wonderful things)
It's important to recognise that the pain and feelings of sickness that are associated with getting into (or getting back into) exercise are only temporary and will pass once our bodies get up to speed. Yes I hear some of you asking "But wait isn't there a shortcut where I don't have to endure any pain?," well, not really. However, I find great comfort in being accountable with people who are as interested in my health (if not moreso) as I am.
For you this might mean doing a programme with some friends, or maybe joining a class together, and always being mindful that the person you're doing this with is going through the same struggles as you, and needs your support.
The guys at Revolution X Crossfit gym are my lifeline in this time of being "easier to quit than continue".
If you're in Sydney's West, give 'em a call and drop in some time :)
Phillips
PPS: Damn you modern day world for making me think of this. Disclaimer: I'm not a professional health expert so don't even think about taking my words as any kind of gospel or guide. They're here simply as an account of my experiences and thoughts. I value knowledge and wisdom so if you are a pro and have thoughts on what I've shared then I would love to hear from you.
