Anyone who hits the Turf often likely falls in the “go hard or go home” mentality in other areas of life. While we support it (and live it) this can get tricky when the holiday season comes to an end. Studies show the average American gains 2 to 3 pounds during the holiday season. Between Thanksgiving and New Years there is a lot of temptation at work and home. But, Tone House athletes are far from average. While we would never dissuade you from enjoying your favorite treats (after all, you worked hard!), we want you to be mindful. Gearing up your workouts after the holidays is important in order to keep you active through the Winter. Performing at your best on the Turf is a year-round effort, and life requires dedication and hard work! But you know this.
Healthy eating, like working out, is a choice and you are the only one who controls what food goes into your body. Here are a few tips for kicking unhealthy food cravings to the curb during the new year.
Drink Water
It sounds so simple, right? Believe it or not, most people confuse thirst with hunger. So, if you find yourself in Whole Foods scoping out the gooey chocolate brownies, try drinking a tall glass of water and waiting 10 minutes. You’ll feel a bit fuller and it will help you reassess whether you’re actually hungry or if you were just looking to satisfy your sweet tooth. Aim for a minimum of 64 ounces of water a day.
Fuel Up First
Showing up to work hungry is risky business. If you eat a small snack high in protein and fiber (hello veggies!), you’ll feel less tempted to go overboard at your desk throughout the day.
Go Easy on the Sugar
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest limiting added sugars to less than ten percent of your total daily calorie intake. For most women, that’s about 25 grams (six teaspoons) of sugar or less, and for men, it’s about 36 grams (nine teaspoons) or less. To put this into perspective, one Starbucks chocolate chip cookie contains 27 grams of sugar. You can eat your sugar, just be mindful. If you go overboard one day, try avoiding the sweets for a few days.
Being an Athlete requires proper training, nutrition, and recovery. Tone House is committed to providing our team tips and resources to help them be better Athletes on and off the Turf. We want to challenge you to be the best version of yourself.