Halloween has come and gone, but the temptation of that Halloween candy has not. I have a terrible sweet tooth, which makes the trick-or-treat leftovers hard to resist.
Halloween is the start of the holiday "treat" season, and that can be tough to deal with.
Here are a few tips to survive the holidays:
• Amp up your fitness routine. By doing a little extra every day in your exercise schedule, it allows you a little more leeway when it comes to treats.
• Bring healthy treats to parties. If you've been invited to a party or if there's a gathering at work, make sure to be the "healthy one" and bring some snacks you like that are healthy. Don't rely on others to bring healthy treats; give yourself options.
• If you're going to have a treat, make it a healthier one. This is the "Eat This, Not That" principle. Instead of a Starbucks Venti Mocha, opt for a Grande Skinny Vanilla Latte. Instead of a cupcake, opt for some dark chocolate Hershey's kisses; yes, dark chocolate is good for you.
• Eat plenty. If you've had a good healthy lunch and are full, you're more likely to skip the rum cake your co-worker baked.
• Everything in moderation. Remember, it's OK to splurge a little. Just do it in moderation.
• • •
There's been a little extra motivation in my training the past few weeks. No, I'm not training for a marathon or half-marathon. I'm pretty much done with those until the spring.
What has me pushing myself hard the past few weeks are 14 9-year-old girls who make up the Purple Pandas soccer team.
I've been coaching my daughter's team for a few months now, and I recently found out that many of them will be attending the Turkey Trot in Turlock in a few weeks. Not only will many of them be running the 1-mile "stampede," but they'll also be there to watch their coach run the 2-mile "fun run."
Talk about pressure.
For the past few months I've been teaching these girls to play soccer, push themselves, do their best, and strive to get better. And they've done great … I couldn't be more proud.
Now they'll be watching me participate in the Turkey Trot … and I'm scared to death.
It's great motivation to continue to train. Knowing that some of them will be there watching me is motivating. How can I let them down? I have to set a good example.
That's why I've been hitting the treadmill to improve my speed and am making sure I'm staying in good shape so that I can live up to the expectations.
I can't let the Purple Pandas down.
Reach Jim Silva at jsilva@modbee.com. On Twitter: @mission26point2.
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