If you can't do the time, don't do the crime

If this Holiday season is proving too tempting for you, just ask yourself "Can I put in some time?".  If you answer, "no" (or any variation of HELL NO) then you should not be indulging yourself.  If you answer "yes" (per chance HELL YES) then you need not feel as shameful as a Kardashian at the altar.  Just get a movin'.  Start out simple, if you're new at this.  

Survey says - working out at least 3 days a week for a minimum of thirty minutes is the way to get your engine revvin'.  EVERY single BODY needs at least this.  What you choose to do on top of this is completely your call and will benefit you even more! 

Don't misunderstand, simply because you walked a leisurely pace for thirty minutes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will NOT give you a green light to eat like you've lost your damn mind Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  This is a common trap foodies fall into.  

What I'm suggesting, is to give yourself a (mental) break if you just cannot resist some extra Holiday trimmings.  Just make sure you are getting your behind up off that couch and fighting the urge to take just one more little cat nap in front of the tele.  

Some benefits of being physically active:

• Helps you sleep better
• Releases endorphins in the brain (the hormone that makes us feel good)
• Alleviates stress and anxiety
• More muscles, better metabolism
• Keeps 'ya away from the garbage some people consider sustenance

If you cannot keep your paws off the pecan pie with a whopping dose of ice cream, or the turkey with the loaded potatoes, or the hot totties...it's ok.  It's all good.  Just tell yourself, "If I can't do the time, I won't do the crime."  Gobble Gobble

Holiday Bites

Alright guys and gals...it's that time of the year, yet again.  Time to bust out 'Joey's Thanksgiving Day pants' and step up to the trough of gluttony.  You may be one of the people who often claims, "I'll resolve to do better next year, but for now give me that pie/cake/donut/cocktail/extra gravy/mile high mashed potatoes!!!!"  Any of this sound familiar?

Honey, I'm not judging.  I'm exposing the mentality that we all have, or had.  It's the Holiday Season, so whoop dee do and pack on the pounds!

What this leads to is some serious regret.  If you limit your Holiday 'sins' to two days (Thanksgiving and Christmas days) you'll probaby be ok.  But for most of us, this is our 'get out of jail free' card and we like to play it for two solid months.

Peppermint mocha?  Don't mind if I do!!!  Holiday themed hostess cupcakes?  I mean, HELLO they only come around ONCE a year.  Cocktail parties every weekend?  CHEERS!!!  And can we get a great big HIP HIP HOORAY for fudge covered double stuffed oreos?  We're a Hershey's kiss away from fat pants.

You're not alone!  In fact, you're in a crowded sea of foodies.  Everybody wants to sell you some type of pill, weight loss secret or miracle cure for over indulgence.  ESPECIALLY this time of the year.  It's crazy...CRAZY!!!

Follow these savvy foodie principles now and throughout the new year...trust me they'll save you ;)

• Pack your breakfast with a healthy dose of protein - This helps to keep us feeling fuller longer.  Less temptation for a "brunchy" (the time between breakfast and lunch) snack.  It also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and we won't feel 'starving' afterwards.
• The first bite is the sweetest - We all love a tempting sweet something.  Have a bite or two and then be done with it.  Seriously, the rest of it is just fat and calories decorated in Holiday tinsel.  
• Rev up your metabolism - Sorry to any gym phobics, but you've gotta get to a gym and pump some iron, do some push-ups and make your fat cry (i.e., SWEAT).  By getting a circuit program together and minimizing rest periods to no more than 30 seconds...you'll spike your metabolism and not your punch! But don't think once is enough, you've got to be committed to feeling the burn at least 3 times a week in order to let your metabolism do some butt kicking while you're at rest.
• Close your kitchen early - Eat your calories EARLY and don't open the fridge again after 5 or 6pm.  I know, you may feel like a blue hair at Denny's, but they've got it right.  Our metabolism slows to a crawl at night so it's super important to splurge early and stop late.
• Question your hunger - Before indulging simply ask yourself, "Do I really want this?"  Stop the mindless eating dead in its' tracks!!
• Don't leave the table until your veggies are gone - Start with your veggies first! Give yourself a generous helping.  Watch for one's covered in butter.  Stray away from anything with a cheesy topping, too.  No silly, green bean casseroles don't cover it.  If you know your host/ess won't have organic veggies at the party, bring your own!  You might be THAT savvy foodie, but you'll fill up on yummy nutrion instead of fat laden dead veggies.  
• GoodWill your fat pants - This will keep you honest.  If you usually reach for your sized up, elastic waist band pants during the Holiday season...get rid of them.  Let your skinny jeans be the ONLY pants you'll wear this season.
• Be cool with hunger - I'm not suggesting you starve yourself...quite the opposite.  But trust that during this revolution, you may find yourself less stuffed.  It's all good.  
• Grab a glass of water - When you feel hungry.  9 times out of 10 we're just dehydrated and not  hungry.
• Save yourself - Set up a cheat meal!  Reward yourself and prioritize your calories.  If french fries are your weakness, indulge once.  Get your fix and then move on.  
• Be nutty - Grab unsalted almonds, walnuts or pistachio's to get a serious fix.  Break up with peanuts...not a healthy nut.
• Education is power - Read your labels and ask yourself if you're even eating real food!
• Pump up the playlist - Christmas music may not be your thing, so make a gym playlist.  Pepper it with energy boosting jams so you can get your sweat on.

And finally...stay away from ANYTHING with the words 'Limited Edition Holiday' to help you gain perspective.  Just dressed up processed CRAP!


Put your armor on and don't be one of the mindless Holiday foodies, it'll be the best present you give to yourself...HEALTH!

Sweater Weather!

That's right guys and gals...go ahead and break 'em out.  Temperatures are dropping as spirits lift.  I, for one, think we ALL look marvelous in more clothing.  Now is the time when peeps are needing a little something extra to warm their bods.  Guess what this can lead to?  You guessed it, CREEPIN'.  I don't mean peeping tom action, I mean getting more relaxed and finding larger pants and XL sweaters to cover some questionable foodie decisions.

We all know, for warmer temps we need to shed the layers otherwise we'll pass out in the heat.  But as the temps fall and the frost appears, we get to hide...er wrap ourselves in yummy warmness.  I'm not suggesting you freeze your savvy booties in midriffs in November.

I will, however, insist you stay fit and savvy through the next few months.  Otherwise, you'll likely regain control of your senses and find yourself hoofin' it with the others on Jan. 2, 2013...at the gym.  There is NO need to beat yourself up (and down) at the beginning of the new year.

Start your resolutions NOW and stay strong.  There is no reason to let yourself go simply because you're celebrating.  Ask any fit and savvy person what the secret to their success is and I'll bet you'll hear "90/10" as the answer.  90% of the time they are eating sensibly and 10% they eat what they want.  This is the key to long term weight management.  Let yourself off the hook some of the time, but not all the time.

I have found it INCREDIBLY beneficial to follow these rules:

1- If you don't have the time, don't do the crime.  If I know I can't make it to the gym for a few days, I will make sure I watch it.
2- Fail to plan, plan to fail.  I know I'm going to the fam's for dinner and they usually don't have savvy options.  I make sure to eat before I arrive. I can achieve this by means of a protein packed green smoothie.  This can help me avoid making unsavvy decisions.
3- Give up the processed non-food, food.  Eat 'treats' I have personally made and KNOW what they contain.
4- Enjoy your "90/10".  I like what I eat.  The '90' is creative and tasty.  The '10' is savored.  Savvy eating is not depriving at all.  One has to get used to the way certain foods taste that contain less fat, salt, sugar, etc.  But it's all good.

This Fall leading into the Holiday season will not change my eating patterns.  I just have to stay savvy and eat in keeping with my goals.  I have worked so hard to get back into my skinny jeans and I'm not going back.  I love my sweaters and I can't wait to stay strong this season.