Time Change Got You Down?

Time change by committee

Perhaps it is just the people that I know but it seems that the time change this year has hit people harder than usual. There is just something about how dark it has been that can really affect how you are feeling. I went from appreciating the beautiful colors this fall to getting up in the dark and coming home in the dark. Add to that the early cold weather that we are experiencing and it could make the word “trudge” sound like a good thing.

If you are a reluctant exerciser like I am, it really takes a lot got get out there and exercise. Also, I find that when I am not at my cheerful best that it is hard to keep to my better eating habits.

So what do we do to conquer this feeling? As they say, I guess the first step is to admit that we are feeling a bit sluggish. Admit that you would just like to hole up until this winter stuff goes away.

Also, there are holidays and holiday parties closing in on us. There are so many temptations at holiday time between parties and treats at work. Also, it is a time when there are family traditions for food and activities surrounding food. In my family, we always got together to bake cookies and decorate them. The kids would bring friends and they would have a great time. These cookies were not going to win any awards for their beauty. There was a lot of silliness and that went into decorating the cookies.

At the Christmas cookie decorating party, silliness ensues.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS?

First off, I am certainly not an expert but I have some ideas. My first idea is one that I struggle with all the time. I try and make myself do things. For example, it is really easy to sit down in your comfortable chair after dinner and watch TV. (I swear that I grow roots into the chair.) How about playing a game or putting together a jig saw puzzle instead?. Turn the lights up bright and sit at the dining room table. Once you get your mind engaged, it will help you stay awake and could even keep you from eating any snacks after dinner.

During the day, get outside. Even if it is for only a few minutes, walk at lunchtime, get out and breathe some fresh air. The sun does come out even in the winter. Get out for a few minutes and enjoy the air and light.

I am one of those people who would tell you that it is easier to eat non-healthy food than healthy food. In my mind, healthy food takes more work to prepare. (You might want to fight with me on this point but I will tell you that opening a package of cookies is pretty darn easy.) So it is time to do two things. The first is stop having the easy non-healthy stuff in your house. Really. If you want cookies, decide that you have to make them yourself. I don’t know about you, but that will stop me just about every time. The other thing is find some healthy food that you can have ready when you want a snack. You can pick up those single serve packages of nuts or buy a big package and make your own small packages. Buy some fruit and keep it ready to go. I am sure you have seen lists of great snacks for people with diabetes but if you need a refresher (like I do) here are some ideas. 

Also, when you are heading out to a party, eat a snack before you go. The thought behind this idea is that you won’t walk into the party hungry and eat everything in sight.

Another idea that I have seen is that when you are going out to a restaurant that you should look up the menu on line before you go and decide what you are going to have. If you have made up your mind ahead of time, then you can tune out what everyone else is getting and just enjoy the outing without thinking about the food.

With regard to exercise, there are three things that I do that might help you. They are by no means full proof but they do help. The first is that I joined a pretty stripped down gym (Planet Fitness). I don’t know anyone there. I walk in, exercise, and leave. I am there about 45 minutes. It is hard not to fit that into my schedule (although I can tell myself that I don’t have time.) The second thing I do is put on my gym clothes in the morning. I am then ready to go so that excuse is out the window. Last but not least, go when there is a TV show on the TVs that you want to watch. This is actually my latest find. The gym I go to has about 12 TVs across the front of the room. Because I go during the day, the TV selection is just terrible. I had no idea there were so many “DNA shows” on during the day.(Who knew there were so many people not clear on who is the father of a child.) But there is a game show that I will watch. (To each his own…) I will try and schedule my trip to the gym to coincide with the game show. That way  my mind is really occupied while I am exercising and the time goes faster.

Also, don’t forget that November is Diabetes Awareness Month. There are some great ideas for this month and beyond at the website.  

I hope you have a great week.

Thanks for reading!