With the holiday season upon us, it’s the time of year a lot of people buckle down and get some serious shopping done. Spending a lot of your time in the mall could potentially be dangerous for your waistline. It seems like bad food choices are around every corner.
I have found that planning ahead can save the day when it comes to shopping. If you schedule your shopping trips around your mealtimes you are less likely to give in. Eat lunch or a snack before you head out and leave in time for dinner. Sometimes eating at the mall in inevitable though, like the other day when I thought finding boots for my sister would be an in and out job. Not the case, the particular boots she wanted were buried deep within Lakeside Mall and took hours to find! Lucky me, I had some almonds in my purse to hold me over. That’s another helpful tip, try to remember to B.Y.O.F (yes, bring your own food). If you have a few satisfying snacks on hand you are less likely to blow it at the food court.
However, if you do end up at the food court keep these things in mind:
- Scour the food court: Don’t make hasty decisions, do a lap around to go over menus before you decide what to eat.
- Order Smart: Go to places that will allow you to special order. Delis are a great option because you can get lean protein, extra vegetables, and side salads.
- Do your homework: Don’t be fooled by seemingly healthy foods/snacks. Mall smoothies and pretzels for example typically pack about 500 calories or more!
- Careful with the Coffee: Those holiday coffee flavors lure us all in! Be aware that these lattes can add a lot more calories to your day (between 250-440!) Stick to the skinny choices or even try a tea, which will give you the caffeine kick without all the extra calories.
Shopping for the holidays also gives you a great opportunity to get in some extra walking. During the cold months it’s hard to force ourselves to get outside and walk, so the mall can be your warm indoor “track”. Up your pace while taking laps around the mall and don’t be afraid to do a few extra laps even when you are done shopping (shopping bags make good hand weights!).
Last but not least, shopping can be quite the physical activity, so always be sure to stay hydrated. Bring water bottles with you to avoid the pricy ones at the mall. Hope these are some helpful tips to be sure your holiday shopping only leaves you with gifts, not extra pounds.
Happy Shopping!
~Crystal
Stroller Boot Camp Instructor / Online Personal Training Coach
