No TV? No Problem!

Contributed by Joe Bocek, Fitness Director SPORT FIT Severna Park

There’s no denying that, in some way, television has an impact on our lives. Whether it’s a favorite prime-time drama we watch religiously or a favorite late night talk show, the Hollywood writers’ strike will affect our viewing habits. Even though most of TV’s most popular shows are about to go on their usual holiday break, they just won’t be coming back this season. We won’t notice this for a little while, but it doesn’t have to be a problem. It could very well be a perfect opportunity to start some new healthy habits.

You may have already noticed the strike’s effect on late night talk shows as well as day time television. Many shows went to reruns as early as Nov. 5, the day some 12,000 film and TV writers went on strike, others are finishing up whatever written scripts remain. But there is no question that, come January, when most television shows gear back up for more drama, comedy, and action, there will be…nothing. Well, except the news and more reality shows: Entertainment Weekly tells us that American Idol will dominate and new shows like a return of American Gladiator (that’s right, that show from the ‘80s), will be eating up available air time. If the strike doesn’t end by next spring, we could be looking at a rough 2008 on our family room television “centerpieces”.

And it may not end there. There is also the “silver screen” – those feature films released in theaters. Although we won’t see the effects there until probably 2009, what a poor quality film year it will be.

There couldn’t be a better time to find something else to do with our time. Spend some quality time with family and friends, find a new hobby, read, or get healthier. It just so happens to be that time of year when so many “find” their way back to the gym. And just in time too, what with all the temptations of holiday feasts! We can take this potentially catastrophic event – even our TiVo’s will be getting lots of rest - and make something great come of it. Take the time you would normally spend in front of the tube and turn it into a walk on the treadmill. Instead of sitting on the couch for an hour, try sitting on a Spinning bike and take a ride during a Spinning class. Or better yet, get personalized attention from a Personal Trainer and make a new friend. Check your local gym to see what promotions they are running. For instance the gym I work for is offering its best specials of the year.

So, if I haven’t depressed you too much by now, there is hope! Hope for you, maybe not our favorite TV programs. And if all goes well, we will have started a new habit that will stay with us no matter what is happening on any network’s airtime.

Healthy Tips for This Holiday Season

Contributed by Joe Bocek, Fitness Director - SPORT FIT Severna Park

Halloween has passed already and before you can say “holiday party” the holiday season (or eating season) will be upon us yet again. Every year the average American experiences some level of weight gain between having a second helping on Thanksgiving and one more glass of wine at their New Year’s Eve party. What makes this even more problematic is that, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, this weight gain stays with many of us for years to come if not forever.

So what can we do to avoid being another statistic in an upcoming Journal entry? Lots! Everything successful usually begins with a good plan. Let’s keep it simple and practical though - if it’s too complicated we probably won’t find ourselves doing it. We will accomplish this objective by sticking to two approaches: eating better and being more active.

There are many things we can do this upcoming holiday season to eat better and still enjoy all that the holidays have to offer. I suggest three major nutritional focuses: smart substitutions, smaller portions, and balanced days. We can be clever with what we eat by substituting when we can: low fat dressing or dip here, a sugar substitute there, and even snacking on some fruits and vegetables instead of those high calorie desserts. You will be amazed at how easy it can be to eat and cook just a little healthier, and it doesn’t even have to taste bad! Combine this tactic with eating smaller portions - even Benjamin Franklin said we should leave the table feeling we could have eaten a little more. Lastly, we balance days when we know we will either attend a party or holiday dinner by wisely eating normal, healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. This way, we will have consumed fewer calories throughout the day and be less hungry when we are near all the decadent holiday treats that we love, but that the buttons on our pants hate.

The second part to our plan involves more activity. Now, most people like to put off the exercise until after the holidays, but this year let’s try something different. Even if you feel like you cannot, for whatever reason, commit as well as you would like to your exercise regimen, you can still do something. Raking leaves, taking the stairs at work, a quick walk or jog in the morning, even 30 minutes at the gym will help you so much more than letting your fitness goals get lost in all the busyness of family visits, holiday shopping and entertaining. [A small amount of physical activity here and there goes a long way.] Plus, it’s a great holiday stress reliever!

So this year, amongst all the holiday rituals that we follow, let’s start a new tradition: think healthy.

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