 Ask an inSHAPE Personal Trainer. Can you offer a few suggestions for minimizing negative effects of Halloween candy overload? I'd like to say that tips for my kids concern me most but the truth is that we adults seem to have a big issue with the added calories this time of the year too.
Ghosts, goblins and masked Charlie Sheen lookalikes will roam the streets starting Saturday until Monday, collecting sweet treats along the way. Though its origins are religious, Halloween is a lively secular holiday we celebrate on October 31 each year; this year, however, we seem to be getting several days worth of Halloween. Those of us concerned with physical health and nutrition tread lightly over the customs of the holiday, as the mere volume of candy consumed by our families is startling. It's shocking that grade school kids eat what they normally eat on non-Halloween days, let alone what they typically munch on around this time of year.
Of course Halloween is a holiday, so you don't want to be a scrooge. We get that. We don't either - our kids are just starting their trick or treat years, and we welcome both health -and- festive treats at our homes in these coming days. Here are a few ways you can too:
1. Learn a little about Halloween and embrace more than costumes and candy. A good religion-free explanation of the day revolves around the end of the harvest, so spend a little energy learning about local farms and foods. This weekend could be a perfect time to visit a farmers market or a farm for the matter. There are festivals revolving around pumpkins, apples, and Halloween in central park, union square, marcus garvey park, van cordtlandt park and so on. Work the virtues of food and work into your celebrations, and you may just find you and your family a little less focused on sugary treats.
2. Stay hydrated. Make sure that you and any kids you celebrate with have a sufficient amount of water in your system at all times this weekend and Monday. Hydration is important for sports because of your muscles. But it's also important that sugar loading doesn't overwhelm your body's cells. Water can help flush out your system to mitigate the affects of the increased sugar in your system.
3. Eat an apple or have a salad before you head into any meal-based party. A fiber-rich snack can help offset the inadvertent hunger that one feels upon seeing and smelling tasty edibles.
4. Opt for relatively lean meals throughout the holiday (those that you can control). Steam your veggies instead of sauteeing them. Turn your broiler into a grill instead of pan frying a piece of lean meat. Serve a big salad as your entree and go light on the dressing. Skip bread.
5. And have your sweat treats for dessert!
A final tip: don't be sad if you give some candy away. Or throw it away for that matter. A week after Halloween, the candy should be history. Afterall, we got a few big holidays right on Halloween's heels. Have fun, be safe, and stay strong.
 Tip of the Week: Get Outside, Enjoy Fall Colors, Winter is Coming.
Whether you have kids and plan to go trick or treating or are just hoping to enjoy friends this weekend, spend some time outside. There aren't too many weekends of fall temperatures left. Sure, winter doesn't officially start until December, but we all know that by Thanksgiving, are time outside will begin to feel a bit restricted.
1. Fall Foliage - the leaves in Central Park are lovely now and getting richer by the day. On Saturday, the park's department hosts a pumpkin fair near the bandshell from 11-3, and that is an excellent chance to get outside and enjoy the weather this weekend.
2. Farmers Markets - are everywhere! Harper and I spent last Friday walking around the Union Sq. market, and I must say, we loved it! Fresh fruit samples, cider, pumpkins everywhere, and the feel of the wind made for a memorable morning in the heart of our big city.
3. Sports - The Poland Spring 5 mile Marathon Kick Off race is held this Sunday morning, so drop on into the park to see 10,000 runners (many in costume) and enjoy the sites of the park. There are also countless baseball, soccer, and football games held throughout the park, and they are all free to watch. Better yet, grab a ball and some friends and head out there yourself.
Have a great week.
inSHAPE is committed to your successfully active lifestyle, and if you need any assistance getting started with a fitness program or nutritional regimen, please let us know. Give us a call (212.362.1001) or send an email (info@inshapellc.com) so that we can help you and your heart stay fit and healthy. Click here for last week's edition, and check out our blog for a new in home workout each week.
Like us on Facebook! |
