Have Your Sports… And Be Healthy, Too!

Just because football season is coming to an end and the Superbowl is approaching, doesn’t mean you should go all-out with the hot dogs and beer. It’s also not an excuse to sit for hours on end. Can you have your football and be healthy, too? We think so. Here’s how:

Plan ahead. If you know you’ll be sitting all day, get in a good workout the morning before the game and try to eat lighter and healthier the day before.

Don’t go hungry. Eat regularly throughout the day (without skipping meals. It’s a big mistake to skip in order to “save up” for later). Consider having a salad before you leave, so you don’t show up to the game ravenous. If you’re going to a house party, bring something healthy to share.

Stay active. Get active during commercial breaks. Stand up and stretch or take a walk. Throw a football/baseball around in the yard. Challenge your friends to do push ups, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, planks, etc. If you’re at the game, take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.

Try not to drink your calories. Opt for the lighter/lower calorie beverage.

Have healthier snacks available. People tend to eat more when they’re sitting in front of the TV, even if they’re not hungry. So, make sure you have healthy choices available such as: celery, carrots, hummus, salsa, or sliced fruit.

Host a healthier game-day party. Who doesn’t like grilled food? Grill veggies instead of ordering in pizza and wings.

Stay focused on your long-term goals. Keep your long-term goals in mind and don’t let one football season get in the way of accomplishing your goals. There are always healthier options and you are in control of the choices you make.

Stay hydrated. The rule of thumb is to drink one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage. Don’t drink? Even better. Just choose water or sparkling water over sodas and high-calorie drinks.