Tips for Not Overeating

As we all fight to lose a few pounds before the holidays (and before we see the family, thus, hopefully, attenuating their chances of telling us we've put on a few pounds since the last get together), we know the real driving force to those extra long workouts is really to eat more (and drink more) than we usually do without ballooning.

There is an abundance of good advice out there for not overeating. Here are some of my favorites, qualified with some advice of my own (not always good advice, FYI):

• Drink at least two glasses of water before eating. According to an August 23 report from the American Chemical Society, over the course of 12 weeks dieters who drank water before meals, 3 times a day, lost about 5 pounds more than dieters who did not increase their water intake. Alternatively, I suggest that if you happen to eat only one huge meal and drink way too much wine that you should drink at least 6 glasses of water after indulging yourself so you don't get sick from being dehydrated, another serious health risk we ALL want to avoid, right?
• Limit your eating to one plate. I can pile up a dinner plate pretty high. I'm sure you can too. Of course this means you get to eat as many appetizers as possible, as long as you only use a cocktail napkin, toothpick, or fingers. I suggest if you take a bite out of a before dinner treat that you don't like just put the uneaten part back on the tray. You will certainly eat less this way, and so will your friends and family.
• Stick to eating raw veggies before dinner. Let's see, what shall I have? Shrimp cocktail? Bacon wrapped scallops? Camembert? NO - I'll have a carrot stick! Please pass the dip.
• Wear tight fitted clothing. They are tight fitting: that's the problem! I suggest you wear something loose. It will get tighter, trust me, and you'll be able to breathe, which is good.
• Slow down. You have ALL AFTERNOON to eat. So slow down!
• Only eat the foods that you enjoy most and avoid the ones you don't. The catch is: I like it all! This is stupid advice.
• Get active after dinner. Yes, of course! After I clear the table, do the dishes, put the leftovers away, start the stock, finish off the bottle, and finally sit down after cooking and cleaning and bustling all day, that's exactly what I'm going to do with my stuffed body! NOT. Actually, I can't even see my feet. Pass the clicker.

The Y was open from 8 to 12 on Thanksgiving Day but I opted for a walk in the woods instead. It was lovely, except I didn't get signed up for spinning class next week, which sucks. Today, Black Friday, there were all kinds of folks on the road at 5:30 a.m. I couldn't figure out why, at first. I blame the wine. Anyway, despite the mild hangover and dehydration I had a great little workout. Gotta finish those leftovers.

Pat Me Down, Baby!

This week in the news it seems that the most important issue, more than Prince William's engagement (?), is TSA screening. Touch my junk.

Ooooooh that feels funny. Keep going. Nope - nothing under there. Check again. Whoooop! Yes, close but no cigar. HAH! Missed it again! Try between my cheeks again - you might get lucky! Somehow I can't wait until I hit the airports in January. Not that I'll be concealing anything, but for a middle aged, long married woman it could be a bit of a thrill to be fondled by a lady in uniform.

Especially if it's early early in the morning and I haven't really woken up yet. There are charts at the Y that outline "perceived exertion". I think what the early morning crew needs is a chart for "perceived exhaustion". (1-2): "I'm not tired! I slept for a change for a full 8 hours straight through the night and I feel great!. (3-4) I am a bit tired and I only got up once during the night to drink some water and have a pee and fold the clothes in the dryer!. (5-6) Damm alarm I was having a very cool dream and I could have slept in but I don't want to chance missing spinning class next week to so I'll get up and go to the Y but this totally sucks I need a break!. (7-8) I'm exhausted I can't get my contacts in where are my sneakers I hope I get my bike, parking spot and locker I need 3 ibuprofen damn another red light the problem with the world is everyone else!. (9-10) I can't move a muscle not today not ever I need a beer why is this TSA guy zooming me???.

Well, you get the picture. For me the idea of a pat down is a a whole lot more exciting than knowing whether the Archbishop of Canterbury, or Archie Bishop of Canterberry, will be presiding over the UK's royals' wedding. I just hope the broadcast is at a reasonable hour, EST.

Regrouping

When it's obvious that routine has taken over your life, it's time to mess with it and regroup. This will tax your brain.

I have changed lockers to Row #2 to avoid Poison Ivy. I have conversed and exchanged names with several members at the Y that I've known for years but have never gotten to know. I don't remember any of their names but finally I can now find my locker. Nice to make a few new acquaintances.

After a 2 mile swim I have dessert. By this I mean 15 minutes in the hot tub. On Friday there were 10 men rub a dub dub in the tub so I went into the sauna instead. It was lovely - hot, quiet, smelling of cedar, until Backfloat Bob joined me and I had to listen to a long and detailed report on a Midwestern Y he was at last week that had everthing except a bar. Brain cramp.

Five of us went to Lake Placid last weekend and enjoyed great conversation, good food, a nice hike and lovely surroundings. I didn't get a chance to do a blog entry or laundry or plant bulbs or rake leaves or clean bathrooms or do my nails or shop for Christmas or iron clothes or work out but it was SO much fun. Once I figured out how to let it go and relax a bit it was heaven. And the best part about housework is if you don't do it this weekend it will still be there next weekend. As will the leaves in our yard. Go figure. I'm still trying to catch up: my brain says get at it but the rest of me wants Chardonnay and HBO.

My usual is MT: Run/Weights/Matwork. WFSun: Swim. RSat: Spin/Weights/Matwork. Sun: Pilates. Nice to be in control until you wake up one morning and YOU CAN'T WAKE UP so you skip the workout and it is all good, especially the breakfast part. Change is good, but what's scary is I'm so wrapped up in the routine that I actually have a hard time remembering the day of the week if I switch off. THEN they change the morning desk people and the Thursday lady is there on Tuesday! Stitch and Poobah are back at the gym after several weeks off and I know they are are happy to be back. It sucks to have to take time off from the Y because things hurt or you aren't feeling well. Choice is better than change, that's for sure.

I still have the same parking spot and it's nice to be next to Peanut but I might switch off just to see if I can find my car when I finish working out.

Time to regroup. A good friend died last week and I'm having a hard time with it because now I need to find someone else to bounce things off of. I'm glad I have my friends at the Y. I really appreciate your love and support. NOTE: I'm trolling for a go-to person. Be warned. xxx