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| Hit the Campaign Trail Without Gaining Weight |
For
presidential candidates, zigzagging across the country month after month can be
mentally, physically and emotionally draining. The last thing candidates need
is to gain weight and increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer after
the election.
Getting
votes is a priority but preventing health problems should be a concern. Here
are five helpful tips for candidates who want to look and feel their best and have
loads of energy to bring in the votes.
1) Avoid gaining weight, because it’s much
harder to lose weight than to gain it. Who could resist the juicy, slow-cooked barbecue ribs in Memphis? Or a 12-layer dark chocolate cake in Seattle? It seems
like there’s some type of deep-fried food offered in every city. Unfortunately,
an extra 100 calories a day will add ten pounds in a year! Once the weight is
gained, most people don’t lose it. Older adults need to eat less just to maintain
their weight. To be consistent, bring along a small bathroom scale and weigh in
2-3 times a week. Steps should be taken immediately if extra weight starts
creeping up.
2) Stick to a routine with similar amounts of
calories per meal. As an example, choose oatmeal, fruit and nuts for
breakfast; a salad with some type of protein for lunch; dinner can include a
small amount of protein and carbohydrate and fill half the plate with fruits and/or
vegetables. Limit fried foods, creamy sauces or decedent desserts for a special
splurge. When eating at restaurants, it’s common to consume too much sodium and
saturated fat. Find ways to fill up on fruits and veggies!
3) Watch the calories from alcohol. After
a stressful day of speaking, relaxing with a few cocktails can quickly and
easily add excess weight. To reduce the risk of cancer, moderation for women is
no more than one drink a day and no more than two drinks a day for men. Keep in
mind, alcohol is metabolized straight to fat.
4) Balance a hectic schedule with exercise.
It’s important to make time for exercise, which also helps reduce excess weight.
If walking around town or working out in the hotel gym is not realistic, bring
along resistance bands for strength training and a jump rope for cardio. A few
stretches can be invigorating. Physical activity relieves stress, anxiety and
improves sleep. There are no excuses for not exercising. Make physical activity
part of the daily routine.
5) Steer clear of emotional eating. “Sticks
and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Ha! Human hearts are
not carved out of stone. Day after day of hurtful verbal assaults will
inevitably take its toll on emotional well-being. It’s important to remember
that food may be an escape but doesn’t solve problems. To avoid emotional
eating, keep it REAL:
·
Recognize
emotions and the triggers. “When I am exhausted, eating toasted sourdough bread
with butter is comforting.”
·
Express
emotions. “When people insult me and call me names, I feel angry.”
·
Accept the
emotions. Accepting and acknowledging emotions relieves the pressure. “I am
stressed and that’s okay. I can deal with this.”
·
Love
yourself. Tell yourself what you want to hear. “I am a good person and doing a
great job.”
Not
many people can eat or drink whatever they want without accumulating unwanted
weight. To prevent the extra bites from adding up, hit the campaign trail with moderation
and a little discipline. The real winning candidate not only beats the
opposition but also stays healthy.
