Here in New Orleans, we’re gearing up for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras celebrations aren’t unique to NOLA, but we take it to a whole ‘nother level. Schools shut down and a million people join the city to celebrate. And those celebrations are all about indulgence.
Mardi Gras is truly an experience here in New Orleans, but it’s usually not health conscious. Your health and fitness goals will thank you if you choose to abstain from celebrations altogether. Alcohol especially works against recovery and weight loss. But living healthy doesn’t mean we give up on all the experiences we love. So, today we’re going to be talking about how to navigate, and mitigate, some Mardi Gras indulgences.
Practice moderation. Enjoying Mardi Gras doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Have a slice of cake. Have a drink. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking that, since you’ve already gone over your calorie goals for the day, you might as well keep going. Prioritize the experiences that will bring you the most joy, and skip the rest.
Think about calories for the week. Calories in, calories out is what matters when it comes to weight loss. If you plan to indulge for Mardi Gras, consider how that fits into your calorie goals for the week, not just the day. This can help you see how it affects your progress toward weight loss goals. You may also see some opportunities to keep your net calories for the week more in-line with your goals. Maybe you pass on dessert for the rest of the week, or count Tuesday as your “cheat day” instead of Saturday. Maybe you log an extra workout fueled by those pancakes.
Eat a well-balanced, protein-rich meal before you go out. This is similar to the advice that you shouldn’t go grocery shopping while you’re hungry. A filling, healthy meal with slow-digesting protein can help curb hunger cravings so you’re less likely to over-snack on party foods. A full stomach also helps slow alcohol absorption into your bloodstream, making it easier to moderate your alcohol consumption.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Alcohol consumption causes dehydration, which is detrimental to muscle recovery and can leave you feeling unmotivated to stick to your workout plans. Drink plenty of water, and don’t forget electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals that help your body regulate essential cellular functions. Drinking only water, while also drinking a diuretic such as alcohol, can throw off your electrolyte balance. Pedialyte and electrolyte tablets are better options than most sports drinks as they offer more electrolytes and less sugar.
If you do it, enjoy it. This isn’t to say go all-in (moderation, remember!). Instead, make a choice about what’s important to you, and feel good about that choice. If you want to celebrate with a few drinks or a stack of pancakes, don’t feel guilty about it. Shame doesn’t help us reach our goals. It prevents us from moving forward with confidence and enthusiasm. Make a plan for how you want the day to go, forgive yourself if you slip up, and go right back to crushing your goals.
If you’re looking for motivation to get started or keep going toward your health and fitness goals, reach out to us at Body by Ford personal trainers here in New Orleans. We love working with clients to transform their bodies and their lives, and we’re here to help support you!
