I have always known that football season was a big deal, but only a few years ago did I realize it was THIS big of a deal. Similarly, I had heard of fantasy football, but until I met my now husband, I didn’t really know about fantasy football either. You could say I have learned quite a bit since. Before fantasy football perhaps you were watching at most every game your team played, which is 16 games during a 17 week period of the regular season, but now your team is comprised of players from every team, so that means you are watching every game for the entire season, which is every Thursday night, Sunday afternoon, Sunday night, and Monday night and an occasional Saturday. That is a lot of sedentary activity! Also, what are you doing while you are watching the games? Mindless eating, perhaps? The food and beverage industry loves football season— wings, chips, and pizza are big hits, but they are also big calories. The average slice of pizza with only a cheese topping is at least 200 calories. Also, who eats without drinking something? The average lighter beverage or soda that you may drink is approximately 100 calories. I wont even get into alcohol, but that is only one drink. Now think about sitting in front of the television with your friends, either out or at someone’s house and the food keeps showing up at the table and of course your hand keeps grabbing it. Hours later, how many calories do you think you consumed during one game and how many calories do you think you used during that one game of sitting, talking, and eating?
You may think the idea of this blog is to tell you to just not be a sports fan, but that is not the purpose and I would have many haters if that was the case. Remember, it is a healthy lifestyle, not a diet. So, with most things in life, the key is to ask yourself how to make it healthIER. The purpose of this blog is to get you to think, to get you to be more mindful, and to be creative. Here are some tips to not let that waistline expand during football season.
1. Plan ahead. If you know you will be sitting all day and eating, do physical activity the morning before the game and try to eat lighter and healthier the day before
2. Don’t go out hungry— eat regularly throughout the day (without skipping meals—big mistake to skip in order to “save up” for later). Maybe consider having a small salad before you leave, so you don’t show up starving. If you are going to a friend’s house bring something healthy to share.
3. Stay Active. Consider being active during commercial breaks. Stand up and stretch or take walking breaks. Make a challenge with your friends and do pushups, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, planks, etc. If you are at the game, take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator. Get up and stretch or walk around the stadium periodically.
4. Choose wisely and try not to drink your calories. Opt for the lighter/lower calorie beverage. You can also have water in between each drink so you are not drinking as much, and staying hydrated.
5. Choose wisely and have healthier snacks available. The ‘picking’ behavior is common for television watchers, so how about find healthier foods that will still allow you to ‘pick.’ Consider such ‘picking’ foods as edamame, celery, carrots, or grapes. Also, remember what foods are available will be eaten. If you have these other options you, and others, will eat them, but if they aren’t there then you don’t have options.
6. Have friends over and you throw the party. Who doesn’t like grilled food? Grill instead of ordering in pizza and wings.
7. Stay focused. Keep your long term goals in mind and don’t let one football season get in the way of YOU accomplishing your goals. There are always healthIER options and you are in control of the choice you make.
To a happy and healthy football season!
(and to my husband’s fantasy teams winning!)
I found it interesting when you said that drinking water in between each drink can help you ease down on high-calorie beverages and get you constantly hydrated. Football season is always a big deal for my husband and his colleagues, but I don’t want them eating mindlessly while watching a game. I believe that enjoying good food while watching sports can always have a healthy option. Better yet, they can just go eat out at a sports bar so I wouldn’t have to clean up after them. Thanks for the good read!
Thank you so much for reading my blog and your comment. I agree and believe that one can enjoy good food, whenever they want to, but there is always a healthier option. Have a wonderful day and thank you again for commenting and sharing!