Happy Healthy Halloween!

"Mistress Sweets" Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween from (Mistress) Deborah Sweets!  

How to have a Healthy Halloween... and beyond.

I usually think of Halloween as the "official" kickoff to the holiday season... for the next two months we will be surrounded by all sorts of temptations from extra sweet treats, to booze, to holiday parties, to giving nonstop to others but not taking time for ourselves.  Prime time to make excuses for lack of self-care!

Here are a few Healthy Tips to start off your Holiday season right!

1)  Don't wait until January 1st to make a Resolution.  Make a goal TODAY for what you want to do this holiday season - whether it be choosing to stop holiday weight gain before it starts by implementing a healthy weight management plan, making a schedule of all your favorite classes at the gym (and resolving to go!), or adding healthy additions to your diet and life such as fresh vegetables, or more sleep.  Small changes now will mean you can avoid the rush, stress, and/or exhaustion on January 2nd!

2)  Have a little of what you love.  We've heard it time and again, but moderation is key.  Choose the holiday treats you love the most and enjoy them.  Eat slowly, savoring the food or drink, and really taste it.  A little goes a long way.  Balance is key - what goes up must come down - so depriving yourself completely will most likely lead to overindulgence at some point down the line.

3) Give away what you don't need.  This can be in the form of food, gifts, or other 'extras' that start to gather and take up precious space (which we all know is at a premium here in the city) in your abode.  Share calorie-laden goodies with your neighbor, doorman, or give them away to random strangers!  The less "extra" you have in your place, the less likely you will be to indulge.  And maybe you'll make someone else's day that much better!

4) Be consistent.  Don't try to reinvent the wheel when it comes to your workouts, diets, or lifestyle.  Small, CONSISTENT changes that allow you to live your life in a comfortable way are most sustainable.  If you currently workout two days a week, aim for three.  If you are mostly doing cardio, add strength training to your regimen.  Resolve to try one new vegetable a week.  Try a day or two without gluten-dairy-coffee-alcohol-chocolate-sugar-processed food or whatever might be weighing you down.  Increase healthy activity and habits slowly but consistently, and they will be more sustainable.  

5) That being said, Try something new.  Scared of yoga? Get over it and try getting down with down dog.  Think the TRX looks like a torture device?  Take a class and find out.  Challenge your body to go OUT of your Comfort Zone - that's where the good stuff happens!  If you try something new and don't like it, at least you can say you've tried!  (PS You'll probably like it).  Besides being mentally stimulating (helping you to avoid dreaded workout boredom), it's physically important to keep your muscles and body guessing (to avoid the dreaded plateau).


Need to jump start your holiday goals?  Try starting with the phenomenal food-based Detox program from Urban Detox Club.

...and check out this AMAZING (and detox-friendly) recipe for Healthy Peanut Butter Cups!

HAVE A SAFE, HEALTHY & HAPPY HALLOWEEN!