Avoiding the Dreaded Holiday Weight Gain

It's definitely one of the best times of the year!

There are parties, festivals and spending time with family and friends. But, it's also the time of year when the average person gains 5-7 pounds because of extra food and drinks. This fact is no reason not to enjoy this Holiday Season! Just be smart about it. 

WebMD gives their 10 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain. Here are our Top 4 ways that you can "lose" the holiday "gain:"

1.  Never Arrive Hungry - Arriving hungry to a party full of food and drinks is the equivalent to grocery shopping on an empty stomach. You are bound to make "impulse purchases." Fill up before heading out. 
2. Limit Alcohol - Often times alcohol is one of the first things we reach for when we arrive to a gathering. That's OK. Having one glass of something is OK. The problem is when we have more than that. Not only do the calories, empty calories, add up, but we are then also more inclined to eating anything and everything in sight. Our eyes become bigger than our stomachs. The food tastes so good and ultimately, we lose control. Stick with one drink and an appetizer or two! Or better yet, sparkling water and veggies, fruit and/or almonds!
3. Be Choosy About Sweets - Holiday parties are often times "stacked" with plates upon plates of desserts. Typically there are several different kinds of desserts, too. Don't use that as your excuse to "have a little of each." Stick with one - maybe two - that look the best to you. Keep the proportion in check. If you are going to eat it, ENJOY it! 
4. Walk It Off -  It's much easier to say "don't overindulge" than it is to follow that advice. If you do overindulge, don't make excuses for working it off, too! Go for a walk. Go to the gym. Run. Skip. Hop. Do pushups. The list could go on and on. The point is - move!

With the holidays right around the corner, we hope these few tips have helped! Keeping yourself in check will without a doubt keep that 5-7 pound weight gain off!

ClubSport San Ramon is having a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at 7:30am. We are also having a 2-hour Cycle Class, beginning at 7:30am. December promises to have many more activities to keep us all in shape as well!

Run Club

'Tis the Season for getting in shape!

Sure, it's not summer anymore and it's not even January 1st when we all "make our Resolutions." But, 'tis the season for getting in shape - 'tis always the season for getting in shape!

Here at ClubSport San Ramon we are in the process of starting, developing and growing our very own Run Club! What might this Run Club include? Gait analysis, introduction with a trainer, group races, once a month track workouts, quarterly socials, ClubSport log book, online tracking, Run Club water bottles and potentially much more!

So what are the BENEFITS of an Organized Run Club? Here are our Top 4 Benefits:

1. Social Group Expansion - Perhaps you are just moving into a new area and are looking to meet people. Or perhaps you just want to expand your current social network. Whatever the case may be, running with other people is a great way to get to know other people with similar interests.
2. Motivation - Belonging to a Run Club could be your "accountability" ticket. How many days have you told yourself, "Tonight I am going to run," only to have "tonight" come and go? Your Run Club Group will hold you accountable for being there as often as you can. This may be the "extra push" for motivation you need.
3. Team - You are not alone. You will hear the clanking of many other shoes all around you as you take one stride and then the next. You will have your own personal cheering squad, since everyone is there encouraging each other to keep going. This support group will also be there should you decide to do races or endure long runs.
4. Improved Performance - Run Clubs are not about serious competition - usually(!) However, everyone thrives on a little healthy competition every now and then. When you are running with other people, it's only natural that you will run faster and harder. All of this could potentially take your running to the next level!

So what are you waiting for? Decide that today you are going to find the best Run Club in your area for you and join! The Team is waiting for you!