""We should never exercise for the sake of burning calories. ... We should exercise for cardiovascular health, for mental health, for emotional health. It gives structure to your day. You can create social relationships through classes together," she explained. "There are so many reasons to exercise. B urning calories shouldn't be one of them." Recent research shows that focusing on regular exercise improves your longevity ― even more than focusing on weight loss."
""Let's work off all that Halloween candy!" she shouted into her mic. The nonchalant phrase of "let's work off ___," while surely intended as a lighthearted joke, is seriously problematic, according to experts. The idea that you need to out-exercise food or earn any treats isn't just prevalent during Halloween ― it's also extremely common to hear during the holiday season."
Framing exercise as a way to "work off" treats treats movement as punishment and undermines its broader benefits. Many people exercise for cardiovascular health, mental and emotional wellbeing, improved sleep, creativity, social connection, and longevity rather than calorie-burning. Viewing exercise as a consequence for eating makes participation less likely and shifts focus toward weight loss rather than regular movement. Holiday messaging that emphasizes earning or burning off food perpetuates harmful body and food relationships. Prioritizing enjoyable, regular physical activity supports long-term health and adherence more effectively than calorie-focused motivation.
Read at HuffPost
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