"Happy Hour"... To Do or Not To Do....

After a long week of work and focus everyone deserves to release and relax with friends at Happy Hour right?  All the temptation.. the tantalizing appetizers and the inexpensive yummy adult beverages dancing around the seductively lit room filled with smiles and fun conversation (sigh)... what's a girl to do?  The main idea is NOT to panic.  At least that's what I kept telling myself.  I am a wine, sangria, and mojito connoisseur.  I guess I don't have to tell you that these drinks are not exactly part of the program to lean out.  It's only day 4 and I'm still in the midst of my sugar withdrawals... not a good look.  As I reflect on last night I realize that I wasn't as lively as I usually am.  It was difficult to sit at a table for 2 hours next to loaded potatoes and kettle chips.  The dish I ordered.. I picked out the chicken, snuck 4 penne pastas, and gave the remainder of the unfinished dish to the waitress.  Though I was in the company of some great women, I have to be honest, the kettle chips and salt on the margarita was all that was on my mind.  This is where the tip of the day... well, tip of the decade comes in!  Eating clean and staying in shape is not a temporary commitment, it's a life change.  Sure, there are special occasions when you can indulge mildly knowing that the next day you may be bloated at the very least.  I do not believe that Happy Hour qualifies as a special occasion.  If you've decided to embrace this lifestyle, I suggest you come to Happy Hour satisfied and not hungry, drink lots of water, and a little trick I learned is to order a Pellegrino or Perrier with a lime to take the edge off.  As you begin to make changes in your life, you will come to the realization that many of your family and friend's social lives revolve around eating.  This will be very hard to change, however, if you consider that meals can get expensive, reallocate that money into an activity that is calorie-less.  Yesterday morning I was ravenous as lunch began to approach.  Instead of 'treating' myself to a Gyro (I tried to lie to myself and said I would ONLY eat 5 oz of lamb), I shimmied by my hairdresser instead and got a shampoo and blow dry.  In just a short one hour lunch break, I left the salon feeling like a million bucks as opposed to feeling full, defeated, and disappointed.  No one said it was easy!  If it were.. everyone would be doing it!  People who eat clean and take pride in their fitness are the Top 2% of the population!  In addition I would argue that these types of people are also very successful in their other life endeavors as well!  Taking control of your life to feel and look great is powerful and inspiring!  It's the weekend - No excuses!  Prep your meals for the week, get out and go on a bike ride, take a hike, jump on the trampoline with the kids, go rollerblading, do something you've never done before!  Love yourself!  Love life! Work to be your personal best!  I'm down two pounds and I'm feeling great!  I hope you're actively working your plan toward success!  Stay positive, stay motivated, and dare to challenge yourself like never before!
xoxo Amber Keener aka 'Fitness Barbie' (insider)