9.8.17 Positive Mindset Strategy 1

MetCon//

18:00 EMOM

6 DB Snatch 50/30

6 Box Jump 24/20

AMRAP Push-Ups

The Good Part// We are all working hard in the gym! We're all conscious of what we eat and want to eat the best way we know how and as often as we can handle!

One little problem// We are all guilty of this from time to time. The mindset that we need to counteract our bad efforts with good efforts. I've been known to say things like, "Welp, I ate a box of cheesy fish at the party last night, better work out twice today!" or there's the classic "It's ok I'll work it off later." As we're at the counter ordering a scone with our coffee. Or my favorite, when someone at the Tap-House comments, "I thought you were a CrossFitter, what gives?" and what do we say? "oh I work out just SO I can drink beer!"

Did you know though, that this mindset is actually recognized by psychologists as an eating disorder called Exercise Bulimia. Ouch, yep its an actual eating disorder if you are driven to exercise through anxious thoughts or guilt over the things you eat...or hope to eat. When I first learned about this, I had to take some serious time to wrestle with the notion. I was thinking this way all the time. PN coaching makes a great observation that Exercise Bulimia, "makes eating a sin and exercise your punishment."

The Really Good Part// It is possible to change our perspective. The exercise bulimia mindset is really common and hard to kick, but naming it is really helpful. Whenever you hear it crop up from a friend, you don't need to accuse them of having a dangerous eating disorder, but you can call it out and identify it for yourself. And it is easy to reflect on what Exercise or CrossFit is to you? Do you exercise to make up for bad choices? I would hope that you exercise because you enjoy the practice, it makes you feel better, or you like to see what happens to your body and mind. When you learn to enjoy choosing healthier foods, and enjoy training, your mindset matches your lifestyle and that much more powerful than doing things out of guilt or shame!