Happy dress-up and sugar coma day…err, Halloween.
Now, now, hear me out.
I already have plans to smash a few Reese’s peanut butter cups later tonight.
You probably have your favorite candy in mind right about now too LOL
It’s OK.
I repeat, “It’s OK!”
“In moderation.”
“Just a couple.”
Blah blah blah.
All crap you’d expect to hear from a tainer and fitness coach.
And yes, there is merit to Not eat like that on a consistent basis.
Too much sugar is a bad thing.
Insulin spikes and drops don’t do a body good.
Stress from life, eating like crap, subsequent guilt…it takes a toll on your body.
But we can carve out space for the little treats in life and the things we enjoy.
My message today is this – Just don’t make a life out of the treats.
Food and eating seems to be at the epicenter of every family gathering, celebration, and party we have these days. And I won’t tell you to stop eating…
Just stop making every single week into a time of “celebrating.”
You don’t need to sweat the small stuff (like a little Halloween grub from the kiddos) when your day-to-day is reasonable and responsible with your eating and exercise.
Yes, you should eat some fruits and veggies today.
Exercise if you have the chance. This gives your body a little more “space” to put those peanut butter cups. And muscles that are worked out have room to absorb some carbs instead of going to your gut or butt.
These are things to think about day to day and week to week.
The more time we spend eating healthy foods and exercising regularly, the less we have to worry about food when that honest celebration or holiday rolls around.
Speaking of the holidays coming up – don’t trust anyone who listens to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. It’s just not right. C’mon people.
I digress.
Over the next couple months people are going to eat.
A LOT.
The best way to combat the holiday weight gain???
Regular exercise that includes some resistance training.
Build some muscle.
Keep your metabolism humming along on a regular basis.
Feed your body some great protein and veggies every day.
And then at the family get together – fill your plate, eat slowly, and enjoy every bite you take.
Have the power nap while trying to watch football (which, isn’t all the fault of tryptophan from turkey that everyone loves to say it’s from. You pass out in a post-Thanksgiving coma because you just ate 2,000 calories in a single sitting. We eat turkey all the time and don’t pass out on such a regular basis now, do we??)
Find whatever balance you need to. Now. Before the holidays roll around and you’re scrambling to “get fit” in January.
We’ll be here in January, too, but why wait until then? Get ahead things by getting to the gym now.
Eat a piece of fruit before you binge tonight.
And remember, it’s OK to throw away any leftover candy this weekend.
You and your kids will be better off for it.