Have a mentioned that I’m a magazine junkie? For my outta town adventure to L’Auberge de Sedona, I picked up a few read-by-the-pool publications, including Fitness Magazine. Later, lounging by the pool, I flipped past the standard beauty and fitness tips, until an article stopped dead in my tracks: “Why Do You Pig Out After You Work Out?” I DO THAT! Post-yoga, post-Pilates, post-anything I eat. A lot. After a 3-hour sand volleyball session, I’ve been known to down a whole pizza… and more. That’s because I’m starving. The more I have on my workout plate, the more I put on my plate – and it turns out I’m not the only one.
The article mentioned a Louisiana State University study, where dieters who worked out a ton didn’t lose the weight they expected to. One of the reasons: exercise can make you overcompensate with food. Now for the good news: there are eating strategies that will keep you from stuffing your face when you get home from the gym…
Don’t use food as reward – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve allowed myself a cheat eat because of a workout well done – A pat on the back and a pizza! The problem is you can end up eating more calories than you burned. Take-home tip: Opt for calorie-free rewards instead.
Don’t wait until you’re starving to eat – That’s when we tend to overeat. Tide-me-over snacks can take the edge off and keep you from overeating later. Take-home tip: Don’t leave home without a healthy snack.
Don’t confuse thirst with hunger – All that sweating can leave you dehydrated, especially in the desert. And mild dehydration can be confused with hunger (it can even confuse the brain). Take-home tip: Sip water throughout the day to avoid a bloated belly.
