Snow days shake
up the usual schedule for most individuals.
Snow decreases activity for most.
Cuddling up on the couch with a blanket, warm beverage and a good movie
replaces going to work or activities outside.
Not only does the body crawl into hibernation, we also remain cooped in
a place filled with food + boredom. Those
two addends equate to trouble when striving to reach optimal health.
How can we
avoid such temptations when boredom reaches the stomach and the eyes see a smorgasbord? The worst case occurs when snow days follow a
holiday filled with sweets, snacks and savory dips. Our minds cannot quit thinking about such
delicious foods waiting in the kitchen to be enjoyed. It is like setting a piece of candy in front
of a child and instructing the child to wait 10 minutes before consuming the
candy. How well do you think that would
go over?
Self-control,
discipline and resisting such temptations CAN
become a way of life. . .One Day at a Time, One Situation at a Time. It becomes easier each time we conquer a
moment. Your taste buds change and
cravings subside.
The time is
now. Begin by refusing to allow such
food to enter the home. Enjoy a portion
at an event, then leave it there. Having
children in the home poses some difficulty in eliminating all snacks or sweets;
but, teaching them portion control and healthy options will establish a solid
foundation to build health. It will
become a way of life for the whole family.
If the food is not there, then it cannot be consumed, right?
Next,
regardless of the type of food, portion out the item the moment you come home
from the grocery. The items need put
away; why not do so in serving sizes? Use
baggies based on serving size
(typically ¼ of baggie with most store bought snacks). Place them in the cabinet as such. This will prevent pulling the whole bag out
when in search for a snack and standing risk of eating more than one
serving.
Then, keep motivated with
portion control while baking: Resist
urge to taste test – the calories can/will add up quickly. Once baked, portion out in containers or baggies
(2 small cookies, ¼ baggie of snack mix or granola, 1 brownie LxW of credit card
and no more than ½ inch thick). Give
yourself homemade baked goods rationed out as a treat to satisfy a
craving. This will aide in prevention of
overeating somewhere else d/t unsatisfied taste buds.
That
being said, you can make homemade baked goods or dressings healthier without
sacrificing taste:
1 egg = ¼ cup applesauce or ½
mashed banana or 1 tablespoon flax + 3 tablespoons water
Mayo = mashed avocado or tahini
+ ½ squeezed lemon + garlic powder to taste or tahini + 1 teaspoon of 100%
maple syrup
Any shortening or butter in
recipe = same ratio applesauce or healthy oil
Sugar = honey or 100% maple
syrup or stevia
Milk = Unsweetened non-dairy
milk
Finally, move inside the
home. Yes, enjoy the snow day and possibly
a day off work completely; but, during commercials get movin’. Commercials only tell about things you don’t
need or feed the craving of food anyway.
Walk around the house the entire time commercials air. Set a goal if you own a pedometer of 500-1000
steps each time you get up. Have fun
inside! Turn up the music and dance,
play an active game or Nerf war (typical event in our home on snow days). If you are brave enough to face the cold, go
outside and have fun. But, don’t come
back in for a heavily sugared warm beverage.
Don’t allow a snow day to ruin
your progress. Use it as a tool to gain
strength, endurance and accomplishment.
You Got This!
Reaching
optimal health. . .One Day at a Time
Sheree Craig
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