Do You Know Anyone Like This?

For me, shamefully enough, I have been this guy.... the guy that puts on the usual 7-10 lbs over the holidays.  I remember one year, (and I have a hard time admitting this since I am a trainer... but hey, I'm human, too), I put on about 15 lbs in the span of about 8-10 weeks.  I was feasting on holiday cookies (the kind that are not too sweet, but they're kind of buttery... the kind that you eat just one and you think, "Hmmm, it would be a crime to just have just one of those.  I think I'll have 20 more", candy, junk food, you name it.  The next thing you know, my jeans were tight and I was having a hard time breathing.  I'm not going to let that happen to you.  Here are some strategies you can use to avoid the 7-15 lbs of "holiday weight".  But before I forget, I wanted to let you know that there are only 6 spots left in my short, 2-week Boot Camp starting November 29th.  I've purposely created this boot camp this year to keep people from gaining the holiday weight (and even lose fat if you want to impress your family and friends at Christmas).  You'll be suprised how much you can accomplish in 2 weeks if you follow the nutrition guide and make the workouts.  Anyway, here are your strategies:

 

1.  Go to town on the protein, first and foremost.  Protein will help you feel full, as well as slow down the absorption of carbohydrates (darn you cookies!)

 

2.  Don't drink your calories!  Save your calories for the better stuff.  By drinking water or any other non-caloric drink with your feast, you'll save hundreds of calories.

 

3.  Know what you're going after.  Look at what is available before you start filling your plate.  Don't do what I did at my grandmother's house one Thanksgiving.  I filled my paper plate up so much that it literally folded in half and my food fell on the floor.  I was only halfway through the "buffet" line, too.

 

4.  Eat a filling, healthy snack before arriving to parties, family's house, etc., etc.  You'll be less inclined to "pig out" at the party.

 

5.  If there are smaller plates available, use them.  There's a reason why they have soup bowls for soup and dessert bowls for dessert at restaurants.  Less plate means less junk.

 

6.  Don't force feed something you aren't crazy for.  Just because it's on your plate doesn't mean you have to eat it.  

 

7.  Remember, it's OK to splurge every once in a while.  It's the splurge after the splurge that affects the waist line.  That's why it's important to fill your plate with your favorites (not every single food that's available).  

 

8.  Be realistic.  I'm not saying you can't lose fat over the holidays because you certainly can.  I've done it and I've seen others do it; and I've even STARTED with clients in the  middle of November before.  It can be done.  But be honest with yourself.  How many functions are you attending?  Perhaps do some compensation.  Plan a few more trips to the gym or stay more active than usual to help compensate some of the splurging you'll do over the holidays.

 

I hope these strategies help you out this holiday season.  By the way, where in the world did 2010 go?

 

Your solution to the weight gain this year?  CLICK HERE

 

Remember - only 6 spots left for the 2-week boot camp starting on the Monday after Thanksgiving.  Meal plans included!  Keep those holiday pounds at bay (or better yet... lose fat in just 2 weeks!)

 

For more information, click here----------------->  2-WEEK BOOT CAMP

 

 

Have a great week everyone!

Randomness

I just put my finishing touches on my 2-week "Thanksgiving Damage" Boot Camp program and decided to write another random rant.  Because hey, we all need to vent.  What's your rant?  Let it out.  Tell your friends. Tell your family.  Don't hold it in.  Blog about it.

1. 0-8 in fantasy football... are you kidding me?  It's one thing to be 0-8 and you're not paying attention... you know, like not lining up your players, not keeping up with the waiver wire, etc., etc.  But to be 0-8 and you're actually trying to win a game??  That's just pathetic.  By the way, I'm the commissioner, too.  Even worse?  My Panthers have only won 1 game so far this season.  Rock on football... rock on.

2.  I did a tour of the hospital to help "prep" us for the birth of our first child coming in January (although my wife's belly shows he could be due like... tomorrow around noon).  I left saying to myself, "blue parking lot, blue parking lot, blue parking lot", and I actually felt better.  I looked over at my wife and she was about to lose it.  I then made the mistake of saying to her, "Hey, it's going to be OK. It will be a cake walk".  There was a dramatic pause followed by the look of death.  I'm not good at this.

3.  The Ipad.  I love it so much I try to see one at Best Buy 1-3 times a week for my "fix".  I just want to read pdf's and I can't justify purchasing something like that just to read pdfs.  Ipad... you're the devil.... that and lunges.

4.  Muscle marketing.  "Gain insane amounts of muscle in just 6 days!" ... "Awesome pumps!" ... "Vascular road maps as veins!".  Serving size - 3 scoops ... 56 grams of protein, 190 grams of carbs, 7 grams of fat.  Are you kidding me?  Can't I just eat a few candy bars and call it a day?... it's alot cheaper.  Of course you'll gain weight eating that.  I can go to town on my Mom's Banana Nut Cream cake and gain weight.  That's easy. I could probably make money doing it, too.  "Smooth-on-top trainer eats his Mom's banana nut cream cake, lifts heavy and gains 20 lbs in just 4 weeks".

5.  Georgia weather.

6.  Georgia traffic lights.

7.  Georgia weather while driving and dealing with Georgia traffic lights

8.  I'm starting to think I'm actually getting more and more immature as I get older.  I just saw Jackass 3D and I laughed my butt off.  That's kinda scary considering I'm about to be a Dad. But I'll be ready.  He-he.  Sling shot in a port-a-potty.  Brilliant.

9.  If you complain about your gut, but talk about the 4 beers you had ... and do nothing but a variety of crunches for 45 minutes, I will blog about it.  <----- See?  I told you.

10.  People?  Please tell me how to deal with pregnancy hormones.  When I get a glass of water for her, it's as if I'm Mother Theresa, bringing a bag of awesomeness, goodness and gold to her, and the water is like... holy or something.  But when I pat my dog on the head and telling the pooch hello, my wife screams out, "I always knew you loved that dog more than me!  She CAN DO NO WRONG!".  It's just weird.