Smart Woman Online

Overcoming Holiday Overload

A Sensible Prescription for Staying Healthy Down the Home Stretch

December 2, 2008
By Candace Grasso, CEO and Founder of Fit Is It, Inc.

A little while ago, I stopped to get a cup of coffee at my favorite Java-pushing pagoda. It was there that I realized how far behind the eight-ball I’d fallen yet again.

In my pre-caffeinated condition, I bellied up to the bar and ordered my usual: “May I have a medium, non-fat, sugar-free, Sahara-dry cappuccino?” Sounds impressive, I know.

When my order arrived, I found myself staring at the festive, bright-red, snowflake-ridden vessel that contained my morning wake-up call. As I sipped the frothy concoction, I had a warm, fuzzy feeling as if I had entered some kind of parallel universe where the holidays had arrived. In this quiet nanosecond, the idea of the holidays being thrust upon me rendered a still, calming and cozy effect, all at the same time … How cool!

It was only after a few more eye-opening sips, when the caffeine began to re-boot my mental batteries and I was shaken from my pleasant little reality break, that I realized, “This is no dream, this IS it!” Ho-Ho-NO!

Ready or not, the holidays are here! And I must admit, while this is my favorite time of year, it always brings with it a bit of stress, to be sure.

If we are being honest, there’s even more stress attached to this particular holiday season than the usual concerns about getting our shopping done, making sure our gifts are wrapped on time or having our goodies baked, bagged and tagged before the clock strikes midnight. This year carries a unique, ubiquitous financial frustration. Whether it’s the hit we’ve taken on our investments or just the general concern about where we are headed as we round the corner to an uncertain financial New Year, we’ve got more on our plates to try and digest than just fruit cake and stuffing.

So, what can we do to manage the hectic hustle-bustle that can leave us feeling crazed and out of control? What if I told you that I can help you get your hands on a magic pill? This prescription can help stave off feelings of agitation and fatigue while also reducing emotional eating and the holiday pounds that accompany such activity.

I have a fix for the symptoms of “Holiday Overload Syndrome.” As a matter of fact, it’s effective all year round if used on a regular basis. There’s no shortage of supply, so no need to push and shove or run to the store and wait in line at 5 a.m.

My prescription for “Holiday Overload Syndrome”?

EXERCISE and SLEEP!

I know, it’s not a very popular prescription, and you were probably expecting something easier, more edgy and sexy. Often the cure for what ails us doesn’t taste very good going down, but when it works, it’s worth it. In addition, unlike other drugs, the side effects of endorphins are a healthy body and mind.

Endorphins — the by-products of exercise, particularly aerobic activity — have powerful mood-elevating and pain-killing properties likened to many of the pharmaceutical drugs used today for helping to treat depression and anxiety. The power of the pain-killing effect in many studies has been likened to that of morphine!

Recently, after finishing a stress-busting workout, my personal assistant suggested that we produce a line of T-shirts that says, “High on Endorphins and Candace is my dealer.” I decided against it, as I’m not so sure that some well-meaning individual, not familiar with the term, might turn me in.

Trust me, after 18-plus years of experience, this piece of advice is the one thing you can’t afford NOT to buy!

So, now you’re pulling your hair out and laughing at the same time, “Yeah, lots of time to fit that in, Candace. She’s nuts!”

Possibly, but that’s a different article!

It’s so possible to fit it in, and in ways you might not expect. This prescription will allow you to get your hit of endorphins and lower your caloric intake and stress levels without adding an extra hour of “things to do” to your already busy schedule.

This works! I do it, and you need to give it a whirl.

Really, as I always say, what do you have to lose except things you don’t want to keep!

Every Step Counts

A pedometer is key. Buy one tomorrow. You can get one for 10 bucks or less, or even free in a box of cereal nowadays. Strap it on and go power shopping.

It takes about 2,000 steps to knock off a mile. When it’s tough to get to the gym, make your exercise a part of what you already have to do for the day by tracking your steps. Shoot for between 8,000 and 10,000 — totaling between four and five miles.

Here are a few tricks for logging extra miles while tracking down just that right pair of gloves for Aunt Kate.

• Park your car far away from where you are shopping and walk so fast that you may have people wondering if you’re an undercover cop chasing down a perp!
• My favorite: When mall shopping, move between stores like someone is chasing you. I’ve had people move out of my way because they’ve heard my footsteps coming up behind. This not only helps burn calories but it’s not a bad way to clear the aisles of a busy mall as well.
• Have a friend join you before you start pulling out the credit cards and power walk around the mall several times. I bring personal hygiene wipes in my purse in case I work up a little sweat. A quick stop at the ladies room, a wipe here and there, and I’m off to get my nephews checked off my shopping list (where I continue to log miles and calories).

It’s not always appropriate to move fast, but when you can, move like you mean it!

Food For Thought

Now here’s something you can do when you get back home: I call it the “cookie-baking, present-wrapping interval workout,” and I’ve done this many times!

Grab a jump rope and have it handy. If you’re fortunate enough to have a piece of cardio equipment in your home, that will work as well. The intensity of jumping rope can be so high that just five-minute interval bursts at a time will do the trick.

So, put a dozen cookies in the oven, or wrap a gift or two.

Then, pick up the rope, five minutes, back to wrapping or pulling the cookies out of the oven … another dozen in or two more gifts wrapped, pick up the rope, five minutes …You get it.

Many web sites calculate 200 calories per 15 minutes of jumping. You do the math. You’ve baked your cookies and/or wrapped your presents, and with five-minute intervals in between, voila … chores are done while you’ve released endorphins, reduced your stress and burned some serious fat. Not a bad prescription.

Snooze Before You Lose

As for sleep, I have the best advice ever: Go to bed!

Now come on, you and I both know that we can all hit the sack earlier if we try. Don’t eat, exercise or drink caffeine or alcohol within two hours of going to bed and you’ll do better at falling and staying asleep.

Getting enough sleep can reduce cortisol, also known as “the stress hormone.” Cortisol is released into your system during times of serious stress and reduced rest, helping you to quite efficiently hold on to extra body fat!

It stands to reason that getting to bed at a reasonable time also helps you avoid being in the kitchen “after hours.” If you’re not in there, then you’re less tempted to eat more than you need. Finally, by being well rested, you’re better prepared mentally to deal with holiday overload in other ways besides stuffing yourself with food.

So, now you have the prescription, it’s your job to swallow it. I promise if you do, you’ll feel better in every way this holiday season.

It’s my sincere hope that, this and every year, you and your family experience peaceful, blessed, safe and healthy holidays and are filled with excitement for a powerful and positive New Year.

Power on,
Candace

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