Focus on the Fun

I don’t know if you plan to watch the Super Bowl Sunday or not, but it’s always been a big event in our family. Especially growing up. We would have SO much food and ended up snacking most of the day.

You may not know this, but the Super Bowl is tied with Thanksgiving as far as high caloric consumption is concerned. During the game, the average person consumes 2400-3000 calories. And that’s usually within a window of 4-5 hours.

Rather than indulging on Sunday, let’s get your mind thinking differently about food and exercise. I encourage you to plan ahead. Offer to bring a dish or two to the party. That way, you’ll know you will be able to dig into at least one or two healthy options, and just have a nibble of the other goodies. And eat before you go. You’ll be less likely to indulge and more likely to stick to your plan of eating from the healthy options. Forgo the alcoholic drinks since they are filled with toxic calories. And for the day after the Super Bowl, drink one or two green juices filled with tons of nutritious goodness such as spinach, kale, carrots, celery, broccoli stalks, tomatoes, bell peppers, 1/2 an apple, a bit of ginger and lime. This will help to cleanse and alkalize the body after those indulgent, unhealthy choices – even if it is a couple of nibbles.

As far as exercise is concerned…Prevention magazine states that community-driven fitness and live workout experiences are trending for 2020. Now that certainly makes me happy with the program that I have in place, and it’s good news for you too – it means you will have a community of other like-minded people cheering you on and inspiring you.. and you’ll be hip and trendy! Live workouts are posted twice during the week, and you can go back to any of the archived workouts as well. The key is consistency. It’s the habits you do daily that will give you the results you desire.

Maybe your team is in the big game, or maybe you get overwhelmed by parties (but you’re going anyways). Remember that these stressful circumstances can also take a toll on our health. Be good to yourself and schedule a time daily to treat yourself well. You deserve your best health. Emotional distress can certainly influence cardiac events. Let’s practice some energizing and relaxing exercises during those anxious times and each and every day to help keep stress at bay.

1. Deep breathe several times throughout the day with great intention. Inhale through the nose for a count of 7 and out the mouth for a count of 7. Do this 7 times. You’ll notice a significant drop in an elevated heart rate within the first two breaths.
2. Take a walk. Walk off the emotional stress. You’ll be surprised how you’ll have a calming, new perspective once you return from the activity.
3. Give thanks. When we focus on what really matters (like how good God is) then we don’t major in the minors. The game becomes just what it is…a game!

So, I urge you to focus on the fun instead: how football can bring friends, family and community together even via social media. Have your game plan in place for staying on track with your eating, exercise, and keeping the day fun and lighthearted. Your mind, body, and spirit will thank you for it.