Chances are when you think of fun, you think of watching a movie, playing games, or even shopping. But exercise? Probably not at the top of your list. However, new research from the Cornell Food & Brand Lab says it’s time to change this type of thinking.
Two new studies from the university research facility say that people who considered exercise “fun” ate fewer calories than those who thought of exercise as a chore–something that may have to do with people “rewarding” themselves after doing something they don’t like.
By seeing exercise as fun, you’re less likely to reward yourself–and eat fewer calories in the process.
“Engaging in a physical activity seems to trigger the search for reward when individuals perceive it as exercise but not when they perceive it as fun,” say researchers, whose study was published in the journal Marketing Letters. “Key implications for the fitness industry and for health-care professionals are detailed along with the simple advice to consumers to make certain they make their physical activity routine fun in order to avoid compensation.”
The Studies
Recruiting adults who were otherwise described as being healthy, researchers held two studies to see how perceiving exercise changed their eating habits, something previously believed to increase a person’s caloric intake. Both studies had a small group of adults go on a scenic walk around a small lake, with some of them told it would be a scenic walk. Others, however, were told it was an exercise walk.
For the first study, researchers had all of the adults complete their walk–then allowed them to eat chocolate pudding. Those who were told it was an exercise walk ended up eating 35 percent more chocolate pudding.
In the second study, participants were told once again they were either going on a scenic walk or an exercise walk, but after the walk was completed researchers allowed them to eat M&Ms instead. Again, the results were similar: Those who were told they went on an exercise walk ate 206 more calories. In turn, researchers observed that viewing their walk as exercise made them less happy.
“Viewing their walk as exercise led them to be less happy and more fatigued,” says Carolina Werle, a professor from Grenoble Ecole de Management in France. “The notion is that some exercisers have a tendency to reward themselves by overeating after their workout.”
So Should You Change Your Attitude?
As it turns out, your attitude could make the difference in how many calories you eat.
So how do you prevent yourself from eating too many calories after a workout? Simple, say researchers: Make your workout fun.
“Do whatever you can to make your workout fun,” says Brian Wansink, Director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab. “Play music, watch a video, or simply be grateful that you’re working out instead of working in the office. Anything that brings a smile, is likely to get you to eat less.”
Readers: How do you try to make your workouts fun?
Sources:
Study: Viewing Exercise as “Fun” Helps You Eat Fewer Calories – ScienceDaily.com
Not Having Fun With Exercise Leads to Eating More Calories Post-Workout – Springer.com
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