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Get
Me Outta My Fat Clothes!
Dallas
isn't the only one feeling the Post Holiday Pants
Pinch. I resuscitated some sickeningly lazy and sinfully
delicious habits too. I stayed up way too late which for
me meant there were more hours in the day to eat! And
eat I did. Seconds and chocolate whenever I wanted. I
slept through planned workouts. All of them. Well, most
of them anyway.
My wake up call came when I couldn't button my winter
coat. There's no way I could blame that on my dryer.
Saying good bye to movie marathons and late night eat-a-thons
has been devastating. Okay, so not exactly devastating
but certainly no fun. The reward of feeling stronger,
seeing the pink back in my cheeks and being able to breathe
in my jeans again is worth it. Sort of. Okay, for the
most part. I'm still in mourning over the loss of
my dark chocolate freedom but I'm getting over it...
— Kathleen
Dear
Brie,
I had an excellent exercise program going until Thanksgiving
hit. I have three kids under 12 and work part time. With
the holidays and extra obligations I haven't gotten a workout
in since the week before Thanksgiving. I can feel my pants
getting tighter and I don't like it. My husband says I look
fine but every time I feel my waistband pinching my stomach
I get really upset. I notice that I'm really on edge. Please
help!
Dallas
Dear Dallas,
Holiday time is tough. It can be made even worse though
if you put your needs at the bottom of your priority list.
Easier said than done especially when we're wired to give,
give, give but remember that if you don't nurture yourself
you will have less to give to your family and friends. With
some preplanning and creative thinking you can get yourself
and your family right back on track.
Inventory
Control
To identify when you can workout, take a chore and obligation
inventory. Write down your typical day from start to finish.
With an eagle eye, look over your schedule to see if there
are any tasks that can be delegated to the kids or your
partner.
Next, cross something off your list. Making time for yourself
is a mindset. You don't have to "do it all."
Be selfish. Reign things in for awhile. Pull back, take
on less. Keep in mind, you and your children will benefit
from your exercise program. You will find that 30 minute
window to workout and when you do, write it into your calendar
in ink and don't let anything come between you and
that workout.
Three
Tens Are Thirty
If you positively cannot find a block of time temporarily
redefine your workouts. Identify three ten minute breaks
in your day and write them down on your calendar. Next to
each break, write down a high energy activity such as jumping
jacks, jogging in place or jumping rope that you are willing
to perform for the full ten minutes. The harder you work,
the greater your results.
Bonus
Weight Loss
There are all kinds of ways to work more movement and more
exercises into your day.
- Walk
Away the Weight. Every time you park your car choose the
absolute furthest spot away from the door and power walk
to the entrance.
- DIY
Stair Stepper. Go out of your way to work stair climbs
into your day. Every doctor's office visit, every
visit to the mall and drop-off/pick-up at your kid's
school can include a quick trip up and down a set of stairs.
Do this five times a week and you're on your way
to permanent weight loss.
- Time
to lean, time to get lean. Idle time in the kitchen is
your trigger to move. Do calf raises and lunges every
time you're standing at the kitchen counter or waiting
for a pot to boil.
- Homework
run. No after school snack until the homework walk is
complete. Bundle the kids up and head out the door after
school. It's a great time for everyone to bond, to
work out stress and to run through spelling words and
math problems.
Let
Yourself Go!
Working out can alleviate stress and keep you calm and centered
as you go about your week. Fitting comfortably back into
your clothes is nice too.
Happy
New Year, Dallas. Keep me posted on how you're doing.
Brie
Brie
Evans is a certified Wellness Coach and Personal Trainer.
Brie can be reached at CBCCwellness@zoominternet.net
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