Alternatives to Pigging Out When Stuck Indoors

Sandy has finally left us. After assessing the damage have you found some downed trees, debris everywhere and three extra pounds? What? How did that happen? When stuck indoors with nothing to do, many of us turn to food. Here’s how to weather the next storm without adding to your waistline and how to get rid of those newly acquired rolls.

We thought all would be well at our home during the storm since we recently installed a generator, but as soon as our cable and internet went down my husband and I looked at each other and said simultaneously, “now what do we do?” Our two kids are not the type to sit around and entertain themselves so we needed a plan, fast! We started with board games but when they became, well boring, we started looking in the cupboards even though none of us were hungry. So that’s when we cranked up the music and decided to have a dance party - Gangnam Style! Just because we were in lock-down with not much to do didn’t mean we should sit on our butts and eat all day. The kids love watching Mom and Dad make fools of themselves and couldn’t help but jump in. From there we moved on to Feats of Strength (stealing a page from George Costanza’s family holiday tradition) challenging each other to various tasks like who can run around the sofa the most in 20 seconds. We got creative and stayed active.

If you are reading this blog and thinking to yourself, “thanks a lot, these tips would have been great before the storm,” just remember that; 1) the next storm is probably right around the corner and 2) you can get those pounds off fairly quickly.  If you have overindulged the past few days then you’ll need to watch your diet and exercise a bit more over the next couple of weeks. To clarify, by watching your diet I don’t mean, go on a diet. I mean that you should keep portion sizes on the smaller side, limit your sugar intake and pass on second helpings. Also, make sure you get some daily exercise whether it’s walking the dog, going for a run, cleaning up the mess Sandy made in your yard or taking an extra fitness class or two for a couple of weeks.

So the next time another storm comes rolling through the region, don’t sweat it. On second thought, do sweat it by thinking outside the box and keeping active. And if you do happen to get off track for a few days then get right back on as soon as you can. Don’t let this be the start of your season of discontent.