You Train too Hard to Blow it!

Alright, it's coming. Thanksgiving. Christmas. New Year's. That's a lot of food, celebrating, and alcohol. I know in Texas there are a lot of fights coming up over the next 6 weeks. Do NOT get distracted. Stay focused.

If nothing else, try to keep workouts and eating schedules the same. Even if the foods change a bit, keep the schedule. The idea is to keep your metabolism in a calorie burning mode. You do this by eating frequently. Skipping meals is NOT a smart strategy. It can actually promote fat gain.

Foods that are better bets at the turkey table:

• White meat rather than dark
• Sweet potatoes (baked or mashed) rather than regular mashed potatoes
• Green bean casserole
• Pumpkin pie (go easy on the whip) or a fruit pie. Leave the crust and save even more kcals
• Cranberries, like in relishes
• Green salads, but go light on dressings
• Stay away from that salt shaker
• Be REALLY careful with alcohol. That stuff adds up FAST.

A good strategy is to eat veggies or a salad before the big meal. Kind of takes the edge off of the appetite. If you have plans to run or train later that day, let that motivate you to eat smaller portions.

If you have declared it CHEAT DAY, then pick one really great food to cheat with and truly enjoy it. Be a disciplined glutton, rather than out of control. Lots of water is never a bad idea either.

Want other suggestions or end of year strategies? Email me at barkandbite@rudog.net.

Eat smart, Train hard

Mary

www.rudog.net