Exercise Training: Do you Feel Your Food?

Back in my unhealthier days, the four food groups took on a whole new meaning for me. You know what the “real” food groups are, but mine were burgers, fries, cookies and cake. I had the poorest dietary habits. I am glad I made the decision to live a healthier life and changed the way I ate. It has made a big difference for me, but way back when….

The Honey Bun Bandit

In South Florida, they have these stores I like to call “bread houses.” A bread house is where bread companies send their surplus to be sold at cheap prices. I would go there and buy 3 to 4 loaves of bread at a time. I had a sandwich fetish, and I needed the bread to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, if you’re wondering about it. Yup, I had a bad habit! I don’t eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches anymore and I certainly don’t eat white bread now…yuck! I am going to finally “come clean” here, so pay attention. The bread was not the main reason I went to the bread house. I don’t think you’ll ever guess what my first reason was for going, so I’ll tell you. It was for honeybuns! Yes, I loved honeybuns and the bread house just happened to have them 3 for a $1.00. I started off buying three then six, and my habit grew out of control to 9! I was buying 9 of these things at a time and I would go home and eat three at one sitting!

Can you feel it?

I would sit down with a tall glass of milk, juice or koolaid and devour 3 honeybuns in no time at all. These honeybuns were not your normal honey buns, they were huge! At 6’7, I have pretty big hands and if you placed the “bun” in my hand it would cover it. I can’t believe I ate 3 of those darn things in one sitting. I continued to do this until one day I took note of how I felt after eating them. I didn’t know food could change your mood, but I experienced it myself with my honeybun habit. I would feel great after and right before eating the honeybuns. My mood would then suddenly change within an hour after eating them. I would go from being happy to slightly depressed and tired. Have you ever felt that way after eating something? I took notice of the way I felt after eating the “buns,” and started to pay attention to other foods as I ate them. I can tell you “honeybuns” weren’t the only thing that made me feel that way. I now know the foods I need to stay away from by using my “feeling” method.

The Missing Link

Years after I made my self discovery, I came across an article in a magazine which talked about foods and how they altered your mood. Did you know pasta and white sugar are linked to depression? I have also heard certain foods can trigger migraine headaches. Most people don’t make a conscious effort to “feel” their food. They just stuff their faces. Your body knows what is good for it, you just have to be still and listen. If you pay attention to the food and how you “fell” after eating it, it would make it easier to resist the foods that make you gain weight. Start to “feel” your food and see what happens.

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Certified Nutrition and Weight Management Specialist
Certified Exercise Foundations Specialist
Certified Fitness Testing Specialist