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DiscussionI've lost the taste for alcohol and junkfood since starting a fitness regimen. Is this normal?
I've been working out at home steadily since the lockdown began (like 6x/week) and minding my food intake by cooking.
One thing I've noticed is that I don't have the taste for alcohol and processed foods as much, or basically at all. I used to go through a bottle of wine every weekend, or have 3-4 cocktails. I will drink socially (when out with friends), but now I have lemon water with all of my meals. It's not even a willpower thing, I just don't care for booze as much as I once did.
I even tried having soda a couple of times, and it seemed way too sweet for me.
I also used to like having fries, tots, onion rings, burgers, etc for lunch over the weekend. Again, I will indulge occasionally when I am out at a restaurant with friends, but mostly, I prefer veggie and whole grain foods when I am cooking.
I even reduce the amount of sugars/oils in my homemade desserts. At first it was to maintain a caloric deficit, but after experimenting a few times, I do prefer my desserts to be less sweet and made with whole ingredients.
I know that people will cut out certain foods for health/fitness reasons, but I always presumed that the taste for it would remain somehow. Is it normal to completely lose taste for these things at all?
I think your tastes can also adjust thanks to home cooking. Like how much salt we think is 'tasty' depends a lot on what we're used to. And switching to home cooked meals can make prepared foods taste too sweet. Just my experience. Anyway, that's great news!
I've been doing sport for a year and I still like wine and apple cyder or fruit beer. Sometimes we drink with my coach after our work out class. So I guess, it's different for everyone)
I do like a glass of wine when I dine with friends, but the drinking at home was what mainly subsided for me.
In my experience, yes! I think it's related to reduced stress levels (less cortisol) and also your body wanting to eat nutritious food to support muscle gain and recovery. And once you're off sugar and processed food, they do taste kind of weird. You can get hooked on them again, though :)
I just need to point out how relevant your username is in this context 😂 ❤
The veggies and whole grains are better fuel for your workouts, and when you are working out more you're more in tune with your body and what your body is really craving. Also, healthier habits beget healthier habits.
I went on keto about 2.5 years ago. It took me a couple of weeks to stop the processed carb/sugar cravings. Once it was gone, it never came back. I know that if I start to eat them again, that craving will come back like it never left.
I find that when my fitness routine is in check and consistent, I find less healthier behaviors decrease in frequency. When I started college and got really serious about working out (because I no longer was on sports teams like I was in high school), I found that I didn't want to drink as much as my friends, because I knew my performance and progress was impeded by it. If I do drink now, It's on an off day that's followed by another off day, just to give my muscles 24 hrs to recover after my pre-alcohol day workout and my post-alcohol day workout
Ooh I'm jealous of people like you - I've been an athlete for years and my wine-and-snack cravings have not abated one bit.
I think that for me, either way, it's about getting a high. I get a feel-good boost from both, and I moderate my indulgences enough that they don't impede my workouts.
Interestingly, I came across some research a few years ago that suggested people who drink more are actually likely to exercise more too. It probably sounds crazy to a lot of people but it makes sense to me. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MensHealth/alcohol-drinkers-exercise-abstainers/story?id=8447999
Believe me I was never that person either until now...was eating richly up until earlier this year. I only wish it came sooner than later. Would have saved a few lbs and possibly some cavities LOL.
I get this too!!
I think it’s self love. When I’m doing exercise it makes me appreciate what my body can do. It releases endorphins and feels like self love. It makes me not want to mistreat that same body.
I used to really struggle with alcohol and still won’t keep the stuff I like in my house. (I’m too cheap to buy more than 1-2 glasses of wine when I’m out)
I feel like exercising is the opposite of drinking/eating bad food.
Alcohol/bad food can be fun At the time and then you feel bad after.
Exercise can be hard but then you feel great all day! That is a nice ‘hangover’.
LOL this happens to me every time I pick up exercise again! This is why I have never bothered "dieting" in my life. First of all, I find it depressing and it causes me intense stress; feeling like I'm "depriving" myself. Second, I've learned that once I start exercising regularly, within a month, I naturally don't crave the unhealthy food anymore! In fact, it starts to make me nauseous. I know nothing about the science behind it, I've just noticed the same thing from my own experience. :)
I don't diet either, it can be so easy to fall into disordered eating or becomes just another thing to beat yourself up about.
True. While I do eat on a caloric deficit (temporarily until I hit my weight goal), I didn't do any special diets this time around (which caused me stress and misery in the past). I ate what I wanted to eat, in moderation. If I wanted dark chocolate, I'd have a piece or two instead of the entire bar.
I had an occasional "cheat" day or two, but mostly junkfoods (especially carbs) make my stomach feel heavy and bloated.