The title says it all. I'm the foodie that loves to work out, and I've accepted it.
At first, I started working out to lose all the weight I packed on over my lifetime of 'pasta-eating, ice-cream- digging, french-fry-munching, and late-night-snacking.'But it was so frustrating because I still wanted my dream bod, all while eating my favorite foods.
Too bad my favorite foods were not related to anything "healthy."
So I tried everything. Vegetarian? Lasted 3 days. Vegan? Lasted 2 weeks. No pasta or bread? Lasted a few hours. Juice Cleanse? Couldn't even get through one full drink. I've read all over social media that as much as you workout, it's also important what you intake. Basically the concept 'start from within.'
Clearly, none of those diet plans worked out for me. But that's okay. I really love to eat. I can go from craving a kale salad, quinoa, and avo toast, to pizza, chicken nuggets, and a juicy burger with a [huge] side of fries. And of course, some kind of dessert after.
Now I just work out to stay active and keep my mind healthy. (And since it keeps my body healthy at the same time, why not?!). I realized that even though my dream bod was probably not ideal as a result of genetics, my love of food, and (impartially) my laziness, balance is what really made me happy.
As Sam Smith once quoted in his song, "Too much of a good thing, won't be good for long." I couldn't only live off of healthy, earthy foods. For some people, it's a lifestyle; I just don't happen to be one of those people. I needed all the good and bad foods and exercise my heart desired. I couldn't only be a gym rat or only be a foodie. So I've become both. Plus, it can be fun when you involve your friends! Rather than grabbing a bite to eat, you can do a spin class or a morning yoga outing together. Definitely something worth trying over the Summer months when your foodie side might start to overpower the fitness side of you.
It's become more important to me to feel like I've accomplished something and push myself to see what I am capable of. The best feeling (besides biting into a crispy mozzarella stick and having a beautiful cheese pull) is when you feel the progress with something that once was difficult but later became so easy. Whether that means trying a new food, lifting heavier, or not struggling as hard over a specific workout, food and exercise give me the kind of satisfaction I continuously look for in myself.
I am a foodie that loves to workout because you can't just define yourself under one category. That's what makes every individual so unique. Who cares if I at least I get to enjoy my Ben and Jerry's Half-Baked pint while watching Netflix all night. So, why not enjoy what makes you happy?