Are You Ready for Some Football?!

With football playoffs upon us; and the Superbowl just a few weeks away - there's lots of temptation surrounding the TV; including beer, nachos, chips, and wings.

If you fear putting on weight while watching pigskin; here are some anti-pudge strategies.

1. If you're at home with your sweetie; use some of the athleticism featured on the tube to motivate you. Use the TV time to get in some activity of your own. Use timeouts or commercial breaks to do interval training. For instance, during time outs jog in place; and during commercials do squats, lunges, and push ups. Or, do like me and my husband do...bring out your weight set and do your entire weight routine while you watch the game.
   
2. Stock your pantry with healthier snacks. Buy the single serving 100 calorie popcorn packs. Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pops is a good buy. You still get the buttery flavor in portion control servings. Buy a tub of hummus and a bag of baby carrots; slice up some colorful bell peppers; add some cherry tomatoes and slices of pita bread and dip away. To make low-cal crispy pita treats, slice up a pita into 1/8ths; spray a cookie sheet with Pam cooking spray; and then lightly spray both sides of the pitas with the Pam. Pop in the oven at 350 for about 15 minutes, or until crispy.
   
   
3. If you're going out to the local pub for some football fun, order a couple of appetizers instead of a full on entree. Choose one of the lighter beer varieties; and alternate your alcoholic drinks with a glass of water or iced tea. Arm yourself with a strategy ahead of time. If you know the bar you're going to; and it has its menu or nutritional information online -- check it out and determine the items that fit into your calorie budget.