How to Earn that Dinner
Posted on 26 August 2008
A while back I was reading an interview with Lance Armstrong in which he mentioned his diet and fitness regime. The interviewer asked the basic question about what he did to stay in shape now he has retired. His response was on the lines of “run, bike, occasionally go to the gym, anything to just earn that dinner“ this struck a cord and made me, I realized that in this day and age the old habit of earning a dinner through a hard workout or a long days labor has gone. Rarely will you see someone earn a dinner.
It Tastes Better
I find food, whatever your eating whether it be healthy food or junk tastes much better when you earn it. Remember the last time you had a slice of watermelon or some cold ripe fruit after a hard run or playing a sport, the sensation is amazing, a lot of people haven’t experienced it since they were kids.
When eating comes around feel it is our nature to over eat and indulge occasionally especially in social environments. Therefore its important that we do not deprive ourselves of feasts of food and alcohol, of course they should be kept in moderation but there is a key to working them into your life and enjoying the food.
One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ~Luciano Pavarotti
We Handle It Better
When we work out our body adapts in several different ways firstly your insulin sensitivity increases this basically means that your body will shuttle energy (food) into your muscles for recovery rather than into fat cells. This improved sensitivity lasts for up to 15 hours so rest assured your morning workout will still be having an effect come dinner time.
If you do resistance work (training with weights) your body will have a reason to put those extra calories to good use. An intense resistance session like that seen in a circuit style weights workout will break down muscle making it want to grow back bigger/stronger making it even more likely your food will go to good use.
On top of this a workout elicits a hormonal response from your body, which includes the release of human growth hormone and testosterone, making you feel good and literally letting it burn through food, turning your body temporarily into a fat burning furnace.
So what can we learn from this?
If your going to go and have a huge meal or socialize with friends and family don’t be the don’t be they guy who doesn’t want that extra bud light, or slice of pizza. Just earn it! I am not talking about binging every-night but when I do I earn my food/drink and I indulge.
You can go about this is two different ways firstly my favorite way is to-do a hardcore workout before dinner. This will usually happen around 4-5 in the evening if I am scheduled to have dinner at 7-8PM. This workout can be done anywhere all you need is a pair of running shoes and some time;
- Get a good mix or playlist pumping on your iPod and hit the road and run for 30-40 minutes
- In this time aim for 100-200 reps depending on fitness level of a mix of a mix of Push-ups/Squats/Dips/Pull-ups/Lunges/Sprints (Count 100m sprints as 5 reps)
- Enjoy it play around and get endorphins pumping keep telling yourself to earn that dinner!
- Have a cold shower eat some fruit/nuts if hungry and head out to socialize and have fun.
- I will usually do some fasted cardio or prolong a IF session the next morning this is nice to cleanse the system.
Doing this will not only allow you to burn up your food it will also release feel good hormones making your more sociable.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have the time to exercise before the dinner make sure you have done an intense workout within the last 15 hours, ideally have your muscles slightly sore so you know the food is going to good use.
Makes you stronger
I am not advocating a bad diet, but I realize we have lives to live and from time to time feel like eating whatever we want, just kicking back and forgetting about eating like a caveman. You will probably find that after your splurge you have more dedication to eat well anyway so it will benefit you in the long run, It makes me far more dedicated to eat well.
So my challenge to you is next time you are going on a big social outing or want to treat yourself, earn that dinner.
Speaking of making us stronger, I highly recommend anyone who hasn’t read Lance Armstrong’s Its not About the Bike A truly inspirational book and well worth your time.
Comment by Mike OD - IF Life
26 August 2008
Great article and mindset. There is just something satisfying about working hard during the day (no matter what your job may be), eating enough during the day to just fuel your work/muscles/brain (which doesn’t take much if you can burn fat during that time), and then to just relax at night and enjoy food. No one enjoys their food anymore, they just shovel it in. Always love other cultures that make dinner the most important meal of the day…with a big table, social atmosphere, good food and drink and hours to enjoy it all.
Love the site, keep up the great work!
Comment by Tom Parker
26 August 2008
I always find that chocolate protein shakes taste so much sweeter if consumed after my workout. I don’t know what it is but they just taste a lot better after an intense session.
I agree with the jist of your post too. In similar situations I much prefer “earning my dinner” instead of restricting myself to just one little treat.
Comment by fitness guy
27 August 2008
Wow, I love the idea of earning your dinner, I never think of it that way.
I ususally almost feel guilty about dinner, as with most people my dinner is probably my biggest meal and the one that I really don’t need unless I am up late or working out a lot in the evening.
I had never seen the info on hormone and inulin response although i have often thought about food in that way as well.
Comment by Chris
27 August 2008
@ Mike. Thanks for commenting, great post on Phelps and muscle gain BTW. I agree I do most the same thing now I eat a light breakfast and lunch most days then have a big dinner with my family most nights, with loads of nice healthy food, bit of wine etc. Its a great to relax in the evening and because I eat light during the day I can fit in intense training sessions.
@ Fitness Guy. Glad you found something new in the post, don’t feel guilty about any meals unless they are total junk, if you still feel guilty about a binge just go for a real hard workout before hand.
@ Tom. Glad you enjoyed the post, and I know exactly what you mean about food tasting better, usually after a workout on a hot day I will feast on a few pieces of in season fruit and its amazing!
Comment by Lance
27 August 2008
I recall when I was in high school and I worked on our neighbors farm. Very physical work all day long. And everyday at lunch, the farmer’s wife would make us lunch. I can’t remember food tasting as good as it did then after four hours of hard, labor-intensive work. I’m not sure I want to go back to that work, but it, along with your post, remind me that some physical exertion does really make food much more enjoyable. I usually work out after dinner, later in the evenings. I’ll have to try an afternoon workout, and see how eating tastes after that.
And, I agree, the Lance Armstrong book is a very inspirational read - highly recommended from me as well!
Comment by Jeff
27 August 2008
Hey Chris,
I love the idea of this post. Thanks for pointing me to your blog from mine.
jeff
Comment by Naomi
28 August 2008
Hello Chris,
Love your blog, and also find myself agreeing with this post- but as I read it, I got this uncomfortable feeling that it sounds a wee bit like a type of eating disorder.
While the idea is great, I can totally see people pushing this stuff too far. Before you know it we’ll have a bunch load of people not wanting to eat unless they worked out! Whoops.
Just voicing some thoughts here, don’t mean it as criticism at all. It would be waay unrealistic to always keep those obsessive compulsive eaters in mind.
Comment by Chris
28 August 2008
@ Naomi. I totally get what you mean, the post was mainly to point out how its natural to work for a big meal and how much better it tastes once you’ve earnt it.
The last thing I want is for people to workout before every dinner in order to earn it….And feel bad if they don’t. Thanks for the comment and feel free to voice your opinion it was a worthy comment and much appreciated.
Comment by Parth
4 September 2008
Nice! Really a great way to think about it. I only eat after I train. No training, not eating. Well, don’t take that literally, I follow IF, so I like to lift at around 12 pm, then eat. I have definetely realized that I enjoy my food much more when I eat after an intense workout.