Consider This. . . . .

Here are some things I need to confess. Thanksgiving week has been tough. Too much butter, tomato cream sauce, pumpkin pie, cookie dough, and cheese. I didn't take my own advice, didn't follow my own directions and sit here tonight feeling bloated and irritable. My guess is that many of you feel the same way.

These holidays are coming crashing down on me just as predicted, and it's time to stop them in their tracks. How did food become such an integral part of the holidays? I would like to propose some alternatives, like Frank Costanza's "Festivus", something for the rest of us. Something that doesn't leave us craving sugar and feeling bad about water retention.

Idea number one: We fast on the holidays. Think about it. We indulge plenty. Girls night out generally includes a big meal, dessert, cocktails. It could be once a month or more and usually is for no reason other than getting out of the house. Everytime I get my hair done, Becki and I go out with our stylist friend, Cassie, and indulge in food, drinks, or both. I'm already allowing food indulgences so maybe fasting for the holidays wouldn't be so out of the question. But I'm not sure my Grandma is going to be to happy when I show up and refuse to eat.

Idea number two: An ALL ASPARTAME HOLIDAY. Everything we eat must include this lovely calorie free chemical. Diet soda, light yogurt, sugar free candy, you get the idea. Sounds good, doesn't it? I'm not one of those people who is totally against the use of artificial sweeteners. But I do hate the aftertaste which is reason enough to forget this idea quickly.

Idea number three: Nudity. What if we were mandated to celebrate the holidays in the nude? If you knew that you had to celebrate in the nude, would you eat that third scoop of raw cookie dough? Would you cut your workouts short? Would you drink a pitcher of margaritas? I think not.

I guess we'll probably never go to these extremes. But we need to be smart while we prepare for these holidays. Consider indulging a little less on average days over the next month, knowing there will be a few days that indulging will be ok. Drink a diet soda instead of a regular one. And with each temptation, ask yourself this; Would I be eating this if I had to celebrate Christmas in the nude?

Thanksgiving week wasn't all bad. I did a 10K in decent time and celebrated by taking some quiet time alone on Clearwater Beach, which was a great reward. I managed to squeeze a few other workouts in and I didn't have dessert with every meal. Tonight is a night to recharge and come up with a plan for December, knowing that I want to be realistic without allowing for too much slack. I encourage you to do the same so you are prepared to take on the season.

Ready or not, here it comes!!