Fitness Chocolate, Your New Indulgence

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Fitness Chocolate, Your New Indulgence

By Cindy | April 11, 2008

April marks a quarter of the year. How are you doing on your fitness journey? Are you staying motivated? Motivation is tricky because each day requires a different approach to keeping a healthy mindset. As I was running today, I was thinking of a motivational tool that would benefit any mom at any stage in her fitness journey. What do most women have in common?

A love for chocolate.

Chocolate and exercise releases endorphins — feel good proteins transmitted by the brain.

How do motivation, exercise, and chocolate come together? No, eating a big bowl of chocolates as a reward is not the motivating factor here. Sorry! But, a small portion included in a balanced nutritionally sound diet wouldn’t hurt, either. Dark is always better.

Motivation–Chocolate–Exercise

Envision a dark chocolate nugget slowly dissolving into oblivion. Awh, I hear the moans and thoughts of splendor. Now, transform that mental vision into an exercise experience. Savor the runner’s high. Test new activities to find the one’s that make you feel good. The adrenaline rush from swimming or walking a new distance or speed, biking or hiking is as sweet as that chocolate nugget. The experience is yours only.

I did it.

Wow.

I’m exhausted, but this is awesome.

I will cross that finish line.

Congratulate yourself!

The motivational moment may seem simple, but the impression is similar to that creamy, delicious dark chocolate taste which lingers long after the chocolate disappeared–now that very craving for the next exercise experience remains etched in your mind without the added fat, sugar, and calories.

Have you had your fitness chocolate today?

Picture acquired from Flickr

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Topics: Motivation |

Discussion

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8 comments

On April 12th, 2008 at 2:42 am, MizFit said:

have you seen the new studies (Australia) about chocolate and BONE LOSS?!

I guess we eat it and then immediately weight train…

blog post coming on that

On April 12th, 2008 at 5:49 pm, Angie said:

I’m all for that Miz Fit! I love chocolate!

On April 13th, 2008 at 12:43 pm, Susan said:

Oh dear, I want to eat some chocolate!!!

OK, trying to switch happy chocolate thoughts over to exercise…!!!

On April 13th, 2008 at 6:15 pm, Cindy said:

I’m always excited to see studies that allow for chocolate and coffee consumption. Keep the caffeine thoughts coming. I look forward to seeing what your spin on the chocolate study, MizFit.

Susan! Little piece of chocolate can go a long way while you’re exercising!

On April 16th, 2008 at 10:34 pm, JoLynn Braley said:

Hi Cindy,

I wish I could be like you and your commenters but since chocolate is loaded with sugar even a small amount will set off sugar cravings for me. I know, no fun, but I have to deal with my sugar craving one day at a time.

I love your visualization exercise. Visualization can be a huge component of a health and fitness regime, you also wrote it beautifully. Thanks!

On April 17th, 2008 at 3:13 am, Karen (Karooch from Scraps of Mind) said: