Dining out is fun, especially around the holidays. You have all your friends and family there to share a great meal with you and the best part is: YOU didn't have to cook! It seems perfect...until you check out the nutrition facts for the menu you're staring down. f the restaurant you're at was even nice enough to provide them anyway.
The best way to literally have your exquisite restaurant food and eat it too is to do the research before you go. Almost every chain restaurant posts its nutritional information online, or at the very least many have a listing of lighter fare or low calorie menu options. I'll give a few examples at some well known chains you might be visiting this month with your family:
Applebees: This place has plenty of lighter options, especially with their Weight Watchers entrees and a new full line of lower calorie dishes. Check out their menu on their website and pick out what you want before you get there. But definitely HOLD the appetizers. Instead, save room for one of their dessert shooters. :)
TGI Fridays: They don't have much in the way of light and low calorie options, but the two that they do have are delicious. My favorite is the Dragonfire Chicken. The Shrimp Key West is also a good option, especially for those watching their carbs.
Cheesecake Factory They have gargantuan and delicious "weight management" salads. These are perfect because you'll definitely be full after enjoying them, so there won't be any feelings of dissatisfaction one might normally assume comes from eating off the "diet" menu. Just avoid the bread baskets and try to have dessert at home, since none of their cheesecakes dip below the 600 calorie mark.
Plenty of other restaurants will have the same sources of menu information available. Just take the time to pick what you want before you get there, when you have the nutritional information in front of you. That way, you can order with confidence and not have to wonder if what you're eating will undo your workout for the entire week (with some dishes maxing out at over 2000 calories just by themselves-aka cheesecake factory pasta dishes).
Bon Appetit!!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Aggression Therapy - A holiday must!
So there are many things associated with the Holidays, and there's one that is common among just about everyone aside from parties, presents and preparing large family meals: Aggression.
The Holidays bring tidings of joy, sure, but they also bring traffic, crowds, disgruntled shoppers and even more disgruntled family members. Frustration, anger and aggression are all part of the holiday experience! This is where your workout is crucial, though.
This morning, I woke up frustrated that I STILL have no internet (hence my lack of post yesterday), angry at the fact that I don't have time to dance as much as I'm used to lately, and truly pissed off at the fact that there are NO places to get Chanukah candles or foods anywhere near me. I have basically missed almost every night of Chanukah at this point. Let's hope I can get something to light and eat tonight as it's the last night.
But this morning, I was dealing with AT&T about my internet, and as they were frustrating me to no end, I decided to get on my elliptical while I was on the phone with them. I started the conversation with a huge chip on my shoulder, but by the time I'd gotten through a few miles of running, I was much more friendly to the CSR (which I'm sure she appreciated). This is what we all must do to get through the season without killing a beloved family member or mowing down other customers at the stores.
Feeling Angry or frustrated? Take it out on the ground you're running on. Take your aggression out at the gym on the weight machines. Take a soothing yoga class and empty your head of all of your negative thoughts. Trust me, by the end of your workout, you're going to be feeling much better, both mentally and physically. What's better than feeling less angry and feeling more healthy and fit? I can hardly think of anything (except all that AND pie!)
The Holidays bring tidings of joy, sure, but they also bring traffic, crowds, disgruntled shoppers and even more disgruntled family members. Frustration, anger and aggression are all part of the holiday experience! This is where your workout is crucial, though.
This morning, I woke up frustrated that I STILL have no internet (hence my lack of post yesterday), angry at the fact that I don't have time to dance as much as I'm used to lately, and truly pissed off at the fact that there are NO places to get Chanukah candles or foods anywhere near me. I have basically missed almost every night of Chanukah at this point. Let's hope I can get something to light and eat tonight as it's the last night.
But this morning, I was dealing with AT&T about my internet, and as they were frustrating me to no end, I decided to get on my elliptical while I was on the phone with them. I started the conversation with a huge chip on my shoulder, but by the time I'd gotten through a few miles of running, I was much more friendly to the CSR (which I'm sure she appreciated). This is what we all must do to get through the season without killing a beloved family member or mowing down other customers at the stores.
Feeling Angry or frustrated? Take it out on the ground you're running on. Take your aggression out at the gym on the weight machines. Take a soothing yoga class and empty your head of all of your negative thoughts. Trust me, by the end of your workout, you're going to be feeling much better, both mentally and physically. What's better than feeling less angry and feeling more healthy and fit? I can hardly think of anything (except all that AND pie!)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Health is wealth
While being a millionaire is certainly one good standard of wealth, after all, who wouldn't want to own their own airplane and buy diamonds with the swipe of a credit card...once a day? Yeah this would be a nice showing of wealth, but as we all know, not all wealth is monetary. There is one kind of wealth we ALL have every day and that is our health and fitness. We are only as rich as we are healthy, and this is a fact.
What good is having billions of dollars if you're too tired, too sick or too unhappy to enjoy spending it? This is exactly why we must always put our bodies before our pockets, and coming from me (the coupon clipping, penny pinching girl) this says a lot. It can be hard to eat healthy on a budget. I know this from experience. Here are a few tips for your 6th day of FIT-mas to get you through the weeks with a healthy diet without letting your wallet lose any weight for itself:
1. There is always an APP for that. Whether you have an iPhone, a Droid or whatever other technology you can have on hand, always check apps, sales flyers and store websites for any specials they might be having on organic, low calorie and all natural food items. Stores like Publix often have good BOGO sales on all kinds of healthy items. You just have to be patient and wait to buy it until it goes on sale. You may want it now, and you may see it in the store at full price now, but just be patient and wait until the next flyer comes out in a few days. The almond milk or yogurt that you wanted may be half price if you just wait a day or so.
2. Coupon collecting can and should be a hobby. Check your sunday papers and websites like redplum.com and coupons.com for printable savings off your favorite healthy brands. Don't be afraid to be that "annoying coupon person" in the line at the grocery store, because when you see your savings, you know it will be worth it. Yesterday My total before coupons was $107. After she scanned my coupons in, I spent only $60. That is some HUGE savings indeed! Give it a try and see how little you truly have to spend to eat healthy.
You can also go directly to the manufacturer's website (for companies like Healthy Choice, Smart One's and Dreamfield's) for printable and mailed coupons.
3. Use your gym membership for social reasons. Spend Saturday nights taking spin and yoga classes with your friends or take your significant other on a date for a relaxing massage at member prices (if offered at your gym) instead of going out for dinner and drinks. You'll not only save tons of calories, but you'll save plenty of money as well.
I know the holidays can hurt our wallets if we're not careful, but don't let your nutrition suffer the costs of your extensive gift lists. Save on the healthy foods you want to eat anyway, spend more time at the gym since it's already paid for anyway, and spend what you save on gifts galore! Now that's a happy, healthy Holiday hint!
What good is having billions of dollars if you're too tired, too sick or too unhappy to enjoy spending it? This is exactly why we must always put our bodies before our pockets, and coming from me (the coupon clipping, penny pinching girl) this says a lot. It can be hard to eat healthy on a budget. I know this from experience. Here are a few tips for your 6th day of FIT-mas to get you through the weeks with a healthy diet without letting your wallet lose any weight for itself:
1. There is always an APP for that. Whether you have an iPhone, a Droid or whatever other technology you can have on hand, always check apps, sales flyers and store websites for any specials they might be having on organic, low calorie and all natural food items. Stores like Publix often have good BOGO sales on all kinds of healthy items. You just have to be patient and wait to buy it until it goes on sale. You may want it now, and you may see it in the store at full price now, but just be patient and wait until the next flyer comes out in a few days. The almond milk or yogurt that you wanted may be half price if you just wait a day or so.
2. Coupon collecting can and should be a hobby. Check your sunday papers and websites like redplum.com and coupons.com for printable savings off your favorite healthy brands. Don't be afraid to be that "annoying coupon person" in the line at the grocery store, because when you see your savings, you know it will be worth it. Yesterday My total before coupons was $107. After she scanned my coupons in, I spent only $60. That is some HUGE savings indeed! Give it a try and see how little you truly have to spend to eat healthy.
You can also go directly to the manufacturer's website (for companies like Healthy Choice, Smart One's and Dreamfield's) for printable and mailed coupons.
3. Use your gym membership for social reasons. Spend Saturday nights taking spin and yoga classes with your friends or take your significant other on a date for a relaxing massage at member prices (if offered at your gym) instead of going out for dinner and drinks. You'll not only save tons of calories, but you'll save plenty of money as well.
I know the holidays can hurt our wallets if we're not careful, but don't let your nutrition suffer the costs of your extensive gift lists. Save on the healthy foods you want to eat anyway, spend more time at the gym since it's already paid for anyway, and spend what you save on gifts galore! Now that's a happy, healthy Holiday hint!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
A lesson of life
Day 4 and 5 of FIT-mas have to be done together, pretty much because life has gotten in the way of my blogging. lol But this is a good tip for this/these days.
Life isn't always easy to plan around, as we all know. Whether you're a working mom of three or a crazed out college student during finals week, everyone has a million things going on at all times. That's just become the everyday-ness of life for everyone these days.
That being said, I found myself yesterday working a morning shift at my new job, then spending the entire afternoon/night setting up my new apartment. It was exhausting and the fact that my job nor my new apartment has internet led me to have to miss my fourth day of FIT-mas...and my fourth night of Chanukah :( It's okay, though. I'll blog and light some candles today and everything will be okay.
BECAUSE: It is okay to have things come up, and it is okay to fall behind sometimes. Tell yourself, outloud if needed: It is perfectly okay to not be superman/woman and do everything all at once all the time. It is okay to miss an obligation and be human.
Life's obligations can be cruel, so make sure you do the things you need to do on a deadline before you decide what just won't make the cut. This is dangerous for us, though, because one of the first things to be cut from our schedules is our workout, especially around the holidays.
DON'T let your workout be the thing that you fall behind on. Your body is the only thing you have that lets you live the life you want, so if you don't take care of it and keep it fit and healthy, how will you enjoy your holidays and make it through all the stresses at all? Your body and your health HAVE to be a priority or all of the other cards will fall from your delicately crafted life (house) of cards.
My advice is to workout first thing in the morning. I don't let my day start until I've at least spent one hour on the elliptical. Granted, everyone's workout regimens are different. For me, one hour is the minimum I will do per day before I let my day begin. For you guys, figure out what your minimum is, whether it's based on calories burned, muscles worked or your post-workout emotional state, and make that the most important part of your routine. That way, no matter what else happens the rest of the day, you know you got your fitness taken care of and can, literally, rest easy.
That being said, I will say that I burned a heck of a lot of calories yesterday while I wasn't blogging. And there's another lesson in itself. Get off the computer (after you're done reading my blog, of course lol) and get outside. Do something active, AND productive. My parents think I'm crazy for liking my job as a server in a restaurant. I'm not crazy, I'm just not a fan of being on my butt all day. What I like most about serving and retail work is the fact that I'm on my feet and active all day. It's a nice feeling, and it surely helps me maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
If your job is one where you do have to sit down all day, that's okay. Just make sure you take time to be active before and after work. This doesn't have to mean taking fitness classes or sweating at the gym right after the 5-o-clock bell hits. I mean aside from your workout, take some time and play outside with your kids. Join a community or office sports team or even just go out dancing at the clubs on the weekends. Something to get you moving and help you spend time with those you love.
Now THAT is what the holiday spirit is all about. :)
Life isn't always easy to plan around, as we all know. Whether you're a working mom of three or a crazed out college student during finals week, everyone has a million things going on at all times. That's just become the everyday-ness of life for everyone these days.
That being said, I found myself yesterday working a morning shift at my new job, then spending the entire afternoon/night setting up my new apartment. It was exhausting and the fact that my job nor my new apartment has internet led me to have to miss my fourth day of FIT-mas...and my fourth night of Chanukah :( It's okay, though. I'll blog and light some candles today and everything will be okay.
BECAUSE: It is okay to have things come up, and it is okay to fall behind sometimes. Tell yourself, outloud if needed: It is perfectly okay to not be superman/woman and do everything all at once all the time. It is okay to miss an obligation and be human.
Life's obligations can be cruel, so make sure you do the things you need to do on a deadline before you decide what just won't make the cut. This is dangerous for us, though, because one of the first things to be cut from our schedules is our workout, especially around the holidays.
DON'T let your workout be the thing that you fall behind on. Your body is the only thing you have that lets you live the life you want, so if you don't take care of it and keep it fit and healthy, how will you enjoy your holidays and make it through all the stresses at all? Your body and your health HAVE to be a priority or all of the other cards will fall from your delicately crafted life (house) of cards.
My advice is to workout first thing in the morning. I don't let my day start until I've at least spent one hour on the elliptical. Granted, everyone's workout regimens are different. For me, one hour is the minimum I will do per day before I let my day begin. For you guys, figure out what your minimum is, whether it's based on calories burned, muscles worked or your post-workout emotional state, and make that the most important part of your routine. That way, no matter what else happens the rest of the day, you know you got your fitness taken care of and can, literally, rest easy.
That being said, I will say that I burned a heck of a lot of calories yesterday while I wasn't blogging. And there's another lesson in itself. Get off the computer (after you're done reading my blog, of course lol) and get outside. Do something active, AND productive. My parents think I'm crazy for liking my job as a server in a restaurant. I'm not crazy, I'm just not a fan of being on my butt all day. What I like most about serving and retail work is the fact that I'm on my feet and active all day. It's a nice feeling, and it surely helps me maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
If your job is one where you do have to sit down all day, that's okay. Just make sure you take time to be active before and after work. This doesn't have to mean taking fitness classes or sweating at the gym right after the 5-o-clock bell hits. I mean aside from your workout, take some time and play outside with your kids. Join a community or office sports team or even just go out dancing at the clubs on the weekends. Something to get you moving and help you spend time with those you love.
Now THAT is what the holiday spirit is all about. :)
Friday, December 3, 2010
The giving season
Tis the season for giving, and what better way to fill yourself with the holiday spirit than to give a little of yourself, your time and your love to your friends, especially when they need you most? :)
I say this because I have some WONDERFUL friends who are helping me and Dave move today and tomorrow. I appreciate the help so much and the fact that they are waking up early and taking the time out of their super busy lives to help us with heavy lifting and hard labor means so much to me.
That being the case, the heavy lifting and hard labor sparked an idea for me. This season, why not help your friends AND yourself along the way by offering to help them with things like moving, cleaning, organizing or babysitting. I mean, spring cleaning doesn't have to just be for the spring. Why not help someone overhaul their house with Lysol and a vacuum so it can be beautiful for their family's Christmas dinner? Or help a friend move right after the new year? Or maybe you can watch the kids one night so your friends can enjoy a nice dinner or a night on the town?
The benefits are endless. Your friends and family get the help they need and you get that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with helping someone. PLUS you get to burn calories galore. Here's the calorie breakdown of these helpful activities:
Cleaning (household) - 240 calories per hour
Childcare - Between 100 and 200 calories per hour depending on activities
Moving furniture/boxes - 500 calories per hour
Packing/unpacking boxes - 200 calories per hour
Wrapping presents, etc. - 100 calories per hour
**Calories burned statistics were taken from livestrong.com, and are approximate, based on a 150 pound person.
See? Helping someone else does have rewards for you, both in karma and calorie burning. Tis truly the season so lend a helping hand. And you can surely find the time to FIT it in since you can use this as your workout!
I say this because I have some WONDERFUL friends who are helping me and Dave move today and tomorrow. I appreciate the help so much and the fact that they are waking up early and taking the time out of their super busy lives to help us with heavy lifting and hard labor means so much to me.
That being the case, the heavy lifting and hard labor sparked an idea for me. This season, why not help your friends AND yourself along the way by offering to help them with things like moving, cleaning, organizing or babysitting. I mean, spring cleaning doesn't have to just be for the spring. Why not help someone overhaul their house with Lysol and a vacuum so it can be beautiful for their family's Christmas dinner? Or help a friend move right after the new year? Or maybe you can watch the kids one night so your friends can enjoy a nice dinner or a night on the town?
The benefits are endless. Your friends and family get the help they need and you get that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with helping someone. PLUS you get to burn calories galore. Here's the calorie breakdown of these helpful activities:
Cleaning (household) - 240 calories per hour
Childcare - Between 100 and 200 calories per hour depending on activities
Moving furniture/boxes - 500 calories per hour
Packing/unpacking boxes - 200 calories per hour
Wrapping presents, etc. - 100 calories per hour
**Calories burned statistics were taken from livestrong.com, and are approximate, based on a 150 pound person.
See? Helping someone else does have rewards for you, both in karma and calorie burning. Tis truly the season so lend a helping hand. And you can surely find the time to FIT it in since you can use this as your workout!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
FITting into the hours
Happy second day of FITmas! How are everyone's calves feeling? :)
So about this title for Day 2 "FITting into the hours." No I don't mean squeezing more fitness into your precious hours of the day, though that is the general idea of this blog. I mean fitting your life into the hours of operation of your gym. Today I got an email from the gym I go to outlining their holiday hours. It's like they want us to get fat this holiday by not giving us any hours over what they call the "Christmas Break." Seriously, not being open for the holidays, from the 24th to the 1st, is just cruel.
I mean I guess it works for them since I'm sure that will boost membership and attendance after the new year. But for those of us who don't wait until the new year to start our resolution, this bites. So here's some advice I have if you've run into the same problem I just have.
1. Cheat on your gym. That's right, I'm saying it's okay to cheat and spend a little time at a different gym. I mean, your gym isn't meeting your needs right now. Why deprive yourself of what you need and want while they're being selfish and closing for a whole week? Don't be afraid to "take a break" and workout somewhere else for a bit. The best part is that you might find some gyms in your area that are open for that week, AND have free week passes that you can snag. Now you'll have a gym for that week you were so worried about (especially since its such a crucial, calorie-filled time), and it didn't cost anything extra. Win-Win.
2. Hit the streets. While your gym is closing its doors to you for a few days, this could be a good opportunity to workout outside the box. Put on your running sneakers and hit the trails at your favorite park. This is working out with a great view, so its definitely something worth doing, even when your gym is open. You can also ride a bike around the neighborhood, go out dancing or get some friends together and play some basketball, football, or even quidditch if you can find the rules for it...and maybe a broomstick. Try to see the bright side of the "closed" sign and step outside. Make lemonade out of this lemon, as cliche as that sounds.
There's really nothing you can do when your gym closes for a holiday. Believe me I've tried everything, even offering to work there at the front desk just so it could be open on Thanksgiving. There are many gyms that won't be closing their doors for the holidays like mine, and if you can get a free pass for the week (24 hour fitness and Bally total fitness are both good options for this idea) do it. Let's just keep up with our goals despite the obstacles that might crop up. I mean, it's the holidays, so there has to be some drama somewhere. At least this is manageable drama lol.
Love and health,
Jenne
So about this title for Day 2 "FITting into the hours." No I don't mean squeezing more fitness into your precious hours of the day, though that is the general idea of this blog. I mean fitting your life into the hours of operation of your gym. Today I got an email from the gym I go to outlining their holiday hours. It's like they want us to get fat this holiday by not giving us any hours over what they call the "Christmas Break." Seriously, not being open for the holidays, from the 24th to the 1st, is just cruel.
I mean I guess it works for them since I'm sure that will boost membership and attendance after the new year. But for those of us who don't wait until the new year to start our resolution, this bites. So here's some advice I have if you've run into the same problem I just have.
1. Cheat on your gym. That's right, I'm saying it's okay to cheat and spend a little time at a different gym. I mean, your gym isn't meeting your needs right now. Why deprive yourself of what you need and want while they're being selfish and closing for a whole week? Don't be afraid to "take a break" and workout somewhere else for a bit. The best part is that you might find some gyms in your area that are open for that week, AND have free week passes that you can snag. Now you'll have a gym for that week you were so worried about (especially since its such a crucial, calorie-filled time), and it didn't cost anything extra. Win-Win.
2. Hit the streets. While your gym is closing its doors to you for a few days, this could be a good opportunity to workout outside the box. Put on your running sneakers and hit the trails at your favorite park. This is working out with a great view, so its definitely something worth doing, even when your gym is open. You can also ride a bike around the neighborhood, go out dancing or get some friends together and play some basketball, football, or even quidditch if you can find the rules for it...and maybe a broomstick. Try to see the bright side of the "closed" sign and step outside. Make lemonade out of this lemon, as cliche as that sounds.
There's really nothing you can do when your gym closes for a holiday. Believe me I've tried everything, even offering to work there at the front desk just so it could be open on Thanksgiving. There are many gyms that won't be closing their doors for the holidays like mine, and if you can get a free pass for the week (24 hour fitness and Bally total fitness are both good options for this idea) do it. Let's just keep up with our goals despite the obstacles that might crop up. I mean, it's the holidays, so there has to be some drama somewhere. At least this is manageable drama lol.
Love and health,
Jenne
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
On the First Day of FITmas...
The countdown has begun!
The first day of FITmas is upon us, and so is the 25-day countdown to one of the biggest days of the year. Today, we embark upon a journey together to shop, savor, and sweat through the holidays without packing on the holiday pounds. My goal with this is for us all to wake up Christmas morning, and while the kids are glowing and excited as they check out all the new presents Santa gave them, we are also glowing and excited checking out the most important present we could ever give ourselves. This year, lets all wake up to find the best body we could ever hope for for ourselves, something Santa just couldn't bring.
Okay now that I've talked about Christmas for a few sentences, lets not forget today is also the first night of Chanukah. This means that in addition to egg nog, pumpkin pie, and gingerbread treats in the form of creamy lattes and people-shaped cookies, there will also be deliciously fried potato latkes, chocolate coins, and gallons of Manieschevitz wine. Because sweet treats an lavish eats don't discriminate during the holiday season.
The first day of December, aside from being the firsy night of Chanukah and the first day of everyone's Christmas countdown, is also the day that many people wake up in a panic. If you thought Black Friday was the biggest shopping day of the year, well you're right... but the next 25 days come in a close... second o.O So since today, after a long day of work, you'll be likely hitting the malls trying to take care of those gift lists, I've decided that the first tips of FITmas will be a workout you can do at the office, at home, or the mall, and a mall food court survival idea:
1. Toning with Tidings: As you're walking through the office, around the house, or at the mall, do yourself (and your childhood ballet teacher) a favor and try to walk only on your tippy toes. The is a discrete way of burning extra calories, and toning your calf and hamstring muscles as you walk around doing the thins you were going to do anyway. This is kind of the same idea that Sketchers has implemented into their Shape-Up shoes, but as a dancer I can promise you that it works better when you do it on your own in any shoe from sneakers to stilettos. And it saves you some gift money, too, so go forth and shop.
2. Mall Food Court Survival Tip #1: Yes there with be several of these, since the holiday season does involve spending waaaaay too much time at the mall.
The food court is filled with many choices, and while a slice of Sbarro pizza or a double cheeseburger may seem tasty, try to realize that there are other options. A great way I feel to make the best out of a food court meal is to do a lap or two around the food court and check out all of your options before you decide. You may find that teriyaki chicken over sauteed vegetables for $4.95 at Sarku Japan or a foot long $5 Subway Club is a much better bang for your buck and your bod, saving you money and calories.
Today will be the start, not only of the holidays but of a promise that we will all make to ourselves to be good to our families, our friends, and our BODIES. So happy first day of FITmas to all, and have a happy and healthful first night of Chanukah. See you tomorrow for day 2.
The first day of FITmas is upon us, and so is the 25-day countdown to one of the biggest days of the year. Today, we embark upon a journey together to shop, savor, and sweat through the holidays without packing on the holiday pounds. My goal with this is for us all to wake up Christmas morning, and while the kids are glowing and excited as they check out all the new presents Santa gave them, we are also glowing and excited checking out the most important present we could ever give ourselves. This year, lets all wake up to find the best body we could ever hope for for ourselves, something Santa just couldn't bring.
Okay now that I've talked about Christmas for a few sentences, lets not forget today is also the first night of Chanukah. This means that in addition to egg nog, pumpkin pie, and gingerbread treats in the form of creamy lattes and people-shaped cookies, there will also be deliciously fried potato latkes, chocolate coins, and gallons of Manieschevitz wine. Because sweet treats an lavish eats don't discriminate during the holiday season.
The first day of December, aside from being the firsy night of Chanukah and the first day of everyone's Christmas countdown, is also the day that many people wake up in a panic. If you thought Black Friday was the biggest shopping day of the year, well you're right... but the next 25 days come in a close... second o.O So since today, after a long day of work, you'll be likely hitting the malls trying to take care of those gift lists, I've decided that the first tips of FITmas will be a workout you can do at the office, at home, or the mall, and a mall food court survival idea:
1. Toning with Tidings: As you're walking through the office, around the house, or at the mall, do yourself (and your childhood ballet teacher) a favor and try to walk only on your tippy toes. The is a discrete way of burning extra calories, and toning your calf and hamstring muscles as you walk around doing the thins you were going to do anyway. This is kind of the same idea that Sketchers has implemented into their Shape-Up shoes, but as a dancer I can promise you that it works better when you do it on your own in any shoe from sneakers to stilettos. And it saves you some gift money, too, so go forth and shop.
2. Mall Food Court Survival Tip #1: Yes there with be several of these, since the holiday season does involve spending waaaaay too much time at the mall.
The food court is filled with many choices, and while a slice of Sbarro pizza or a double cheeseburger may seem tasty, try to realize that there are other options. A great way I feel to make the best out of a food court meal is to do a lap or two around the food court and check out all of your options before you decide. You may find that teriyaki chicken over sauteed vegetables for $4.95 at Sarku Japan or a foot long $5 Subway Club is a much better bang for your buck and your bod, saving you money and calories.
Today will be the start, not only of the holidays but of a promise that we will all make to ourselves to be good to our families, our friends, and our BODIES. So happy first day of FITmas to all, and have a happy and healthful first night of Chanukah. See you tomorrow for day 2.
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