Kim Dannies: Lifestyle & Adventure writing

50 Ways to Leave Your Blubber
November 22, 2007

If you spent Thanksgiving on the Pepto Bismo channel, maybe it's time for a little review of healthy eating strategies as we enter the time of year I refer to fondly as "the nexus of eating nirvana", the holiday season. The goal here is to enjoy traditional foods– even special treats– and still welcome 2008 with open arms that don't threaten the physical safety of children and small animals. Have your jeans passed their expiration date? The answer is 'Yes' if your legs could possibly be mistaken for sausage casings, or, if muffin tops are blowing out your belt loops. Here are some hot health tips for a svelte segue into 2008:

1. Drink lots of water. 2. Skip simple carbohydrates that spike blood sugar. 3. Exercise everyday that you plan to eat. 4. Choose soy products to raise healthy HDL. 5. Prep healthy meals and snacks ahead. 6. Run or walk 3 miles 3–4 times a week. 7. Keep a food diary. 8. Lower cortisol levels with meditation. 9. Stubb the butts. 10. Take a dance class. 11. Switch to whole-wheat pastas. 12. Mix cider, pomegranate, or blueberry juice with seltzer for antioxidant rich cocktails 13. Walk everywhere possible. 14. Sip green tea, it's a fat burner. 15. Detox at Bikram hot yoga. 16. Put wilted organic spinach into everything savory. 17. Sauté foods. 18. Avoid fried foods. 19. Get a deep tissue Thai massage. 20. Eat half sized portions of meals. 21. Consume whole foods and grains. 22. Get an acupuncture tune–up. 23. Eat lots of fiber, garlic, and onions. 24. Sleep more. 25. Substitute organic baby purees for fat. 26. Cardio: go slow, go long. 27. Weigh your food. 28. Do 2 shorter workouts a day. 29. Hire a personal trainer. 30. Work–out to music you love. 31. Steam, don't boil, food. 32. Listen to French Women Don't Get Fat audio book. 33. Join a gym. 34. Find a dog to walk. 35. Lift weights 3x weekly. 36. Get a thorough check–up. 37. Write down specific fitness goals. 38. Stay motivated with cross– training. 39. Keep fueled with healthy snacks. 40. Supplement with vitamins. 41. Spice up recipes with exotic mixtures from Penzeys.com. 42. Wine is fine, but 10 ounces is tops. 43. Make sure training shoes fit well. 44. Go to PT to remedy pain and prevent injury. 45. Use % body fat and tape measurements, not actual weight, to monitor success. 46. Taste everything, but train your brain and eyes about portion size. 47. Find a fitness partner. 48. Try something new each week– a class, conditioning exercise, or route. 49. Enjoy a little dark chocolate everyday. 50. Enjoy yourself and cherish your body.

We've all heard these suggestions before, but there has never been a better time to incorporate a few new strategies into a health game plan. On New Year's Eve, when that ball drops to welcome in 2008, you'll be looking and feeling fantastic. Bye–bye blubber!