A lifestyle magazine which encouraged readers to exercise after indulging in calorific foods during the festive period has divided opinion after some social media users blasted its archaic language.
Posting on Twitter, Women s Fitness UK urged their 102,000 followers to share photographs of themselves exercising after Christmas.
The post was intended to spark motivation, asking its fans: Are you getting out for a run, walk or cycle today? It’s a great day to burn off those Christmas calories… post your pics here!
A stream of responses followed, with some claiming it s damaging to encourage the mentality of burning off calories after eating - but others pointing out it would be strange for a health magazine to not promote working out.
She wrote: We shouldn t be ascribing moral labels to food and exercise or encouraging people to adopt an earn and burn mentality; it s the fall out from these damaging marketing campaigns that I see only too well in clinic. As a mainstream fitness magazine, why not use the opportunity to promote the positive mental and physical health benefits to be gained from going outdoors/ exercise; improved mood, better sleep, more energy etc. Disappointing.
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The magazine replied to Vohra s tweet saying: Sorry to hear you ve seen some distressing examples of food issues. We weren t saying people had to burn off calories. The reality is that some people will have eaten more than usual and may be feeling that they want to do something about it. Or some people may feel OK with it. Other health and fitness professionals also condemned the magazine s stance.