We are only a few hours away from the start of the biggest sports holiday. The Olympic Games will be held in the City of Light in Paris and we are looking forward to their opening. We expect to see athletes push themselves and the human body to a higher level than we ever thought possible.
The efforts of our athletes fill us with inspiration and the will to push our own limits, so we run to the gym as soon as we turn off the TV. So what’s the first thing you do after the gym? Bathroom; Do you hydrate to replace lost fluids? Or are you running out to get something to eat? If you fall into the latter category, you’re not alone. Many studies have linked exercise to increased food consumption as people replenish lost energy or praise themselves for a challenging workout.
So, after the gym, you prepare a quick meal and sit comfortably on the couch to watch your favorite sports.
This habit has led researchers to wonder if watching the Olympics and competitions in general leads to greater food consumption.
How the Olympics affect our diet
Scientists have found an answer to this question A study at the Grenoble Ecole de Management laboratory. For the study, they recruited 112 students to watch a video and were also given candy. Half of them watched exercise videos, and the other half watched videos without any physical activity.
Students who watched sports videos ate more sweets than others, and men ate more sweets than women.
The researchers then conducted the same study with women who only watched videos of easier events, such as running, or videos of more demanding events, such as long jump, rugby, and instrumentals. Female students who participated in easy competitions consumed more sweets than others.
Why is this happening;
Just watching sports can lead to virtual fulfillment of exercise goals. When people can visualize themselves engaging in the activity they’re watching, they feel like they’ve already exercised, which can lead to more convenient food choices. The more food they consume when they watch an easier exercise, the easier it is for them to imagine themselves exercising.
At the same time, people may increase their efforts when they feel they are not achieving a goal, but tend to relax when they see progress. For example, when a person is aiming to maintain their physical condition, after a successful workout, they may “relax” and give themselves more food as a reward. Some studies show that when a person reaches a goal of going to the gym 5 times a week, they feel successful and deserve a break, including eating more food.
The fact that women eat less sweets is due to the fact that women in general are more “concerned” about their body image. studies have also shown and therefore they are more careful about their diet.
What can you do;
Now that you know all the useful information, you can incorporate intuitive eating into your life, especially when the Olympic Games are being played on TV or any other sports program. Learn to listen to your body and its needs. Eat when you are hungry and stop when you feel full.
Also, remember that achieving your goals takes effort, and while of course taking breaks is necessary for your mental and physical health, it’s also important to stick to your schedule.