Well, it’s Fat Tuesday, which in one tiny part of the country signifies the start of the Mardi Gras season, and gives people everywhere else one more reason to eat and drink to excess. Not that we need an excuse but hey, what the heck, if there is a holiday that says you should imbibe giant fruity drinks and eat donuts late at night we’ll all temporarily claim to be that religion right? At least this one is honest in its name and intent.
Fat Tuesday is actually meant to be just that, a day to eat heavy foods, drink up, and stockpile some fun before the fasting season of lent. The reality is though very few of us who are catching beads and extra calories are a part of that religion. Even fewer of us who are, actually participate in the fasting. Again, why let that stop us…is that our waitress?
For many of us this is also just a few weeks after we made yet another failed pledge to ourselves in the form of a resolution. That broken promise was that we would diet and be healthier this year after we survived the holidays. But no sooner do we sign up for a gym and buy a bunch of diet foods when along come a series of faux “holidays” to sabotage our progress and test our will. How can we possible be expected not to give in to such temptations as Fat Tuesday, “Drink-o-de-Mayo”, and “St. Guinness Day”. (At least if we are being honest with ourselves that’s what we should call the other days.)
My challenge for all of you is not to keep you from enjoying the different cultural holidays that have become glorified American drinking games but to find just as many excuses to take care better care of yourself. For instance, August 7th is Jenny Craig’s birthday, and September 20th was the day the first Whole Foods Market opened. Maybe we could all use days like those as reasons to do smoothie shots and have a parade where we walk at a brisk pace.
However and whenever you celebrate, be sure to find some balance between the party and the clean-up your body needs.
