Anyone think they might have overindulged a bit this holiday weekend?
You might find yourself thinking, “Well, I’ve already blown it, so I might as well let the whole diet and exercise thing go completely for the weekend.” For me, it was dessert. After the turkey dinner, complete with stuffing, potatoes, and gravy, we went over to a friend’s house for dessert, and there, spread out on the buffet table, was a full array of tasty treats: From the traditional pumpkin pie to the most delectable lemon cake I’ve ever had to a warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream drizzed on top to a strawberry rhubarb pie - and that was just the beginning. It was hard not to do a wide sampling with everyone encouraging, “Oh, you have to try THIS!” I know my story’s not unique, and most of us lose motivation after a day of overdoing it.
Remember - it’s just one day. Don’t let one day of overeating turn into a week, and then a month. This is also true for working out. It’s critically important to abandon that “all-or-nothing” thinking that plagues so many. People believe that if they don’t subject themselves to a full-tilt workout, then they might as well not do anything at all. That’s not the way it has to work. In fact, a moderate but consistent approach is the one you’re more likely to stick with for the long haul.
You’ve heard me say it before, but it’s worth repeating. There are three forms of exercise: formal, functional, and fun.
A lot of attention is given to the formal (weight lifting, running, etc.) and functional (gardening, walking to do errands, etc.). But this time of year, especially when you’re surrounded by family and friends, is the perfect opportunity to practice the third kind of exercise: Fun.
For instance, I was teaching one of my nieces “Cats Cradle” - a string game I used to always play with Kate and Perrie. Playing with this long string led to a discussion about jumproping, and before we knew it, we had the jump ropes out, and I showed her some moves that Michael Olajide taught me as drills for my Aerobox Workout.
Pretty soon, it was time to turn the tables, and the teacher became the student: My niece decided to teach me the newest teen dance craze, The Souja Boy. Now it was my turn to be humbled as I attempted to do my version of “Superman,” and other moves the she did effortlessly, while I barely managed to keep up. Even so, it was good, lighthearted fun, and yes, it counts toward burning those extra Thanksgiving calories.
So look for fun ways to incorporate movement into your day. You won’t have to feel guilty about skipping the gym, and The idea is to inject more activity into your life - and sometimes it’s important to just play and have fun. It keeps you moving, but prevents burnout and boredom. –>