Director's Cut, by Ashley Wright

"HOT TAMALES" (or how to stay in shape during the holidays!)

DECEMBER 17, 2010 - Hello fellow track fans,

As I sit here at my computer, I am looking at a pile of Hot Tamales (my favorite candy). I made the mistake of filling a large candy jar with Hot Tamales. My second mistake was putting the aforementioned candy jar at my office. Every time I get up from my chair to grab something from the printer or meet someone at the door or…. I accidently grab a handful of Hot Tamales. Against my better judgment, I decided to start this “holiday series blog” with the question, “Do you have any advice for staying in shape over the holiday season?” Melinda Owen responded, “No, and if you hear of any good ones send them my way.” I hope the below helps a bit, my friend. It is clear that our elite athletes don’t approach the holidays with an enjoy-now-and-find-a-solution-later mentality. Read the advice below at your own risk.

  • Mary Wineberg (400m/’10 grant): “Well my best advice about staying in shape over the holidays is to be strict with yourself and stay on the workout plan and regimen. Many people have a New Year’s resolution to stay fit and healthy but often let it slip. Be true to yourself and just remind yourself each day that it will only help you and make you better. So get up and get that workout in....”
  • Mechelle Lewis (100m/’10 grant): “Stay true to your athletic vision. It's a World Championship year coming up, so stick to the decisions that bring you closer to your goal - even during the holiday season. Enjoy Christmas dinner but enjoy the workouts even more during the holidays that will burn those extra calories and bring you closer to Daegu!”
  • Tiffany Williams (400m hurdles/’10 grant): “As an athlete it’s imperative to continue to eat healthy and not slack off on workouts. I treat the holiday season like any normal days. I'm on a mission, so I'm continuing to train thru the holidays and staying focused on the goals I've set for myself.”
  • Daniel Huling (3000m steeplechase/’10 grant): “I usually just try to run more! Last year at the end of December I was working out twice a day every day, still ate a ton and managed to maybe even lose a few pounds going into the New Year!”
  • Loree Smith (hammer throw/’06-’08, ‘10 grants): “It's always hard to stay in a routine during the holiday season, especially because of traveling, great food, and not to mention, it seems to last from mid November until early January. I like to enjoy the holiday season, but try to stick to my routine as much as possible. That means if I am home and Christmas falls on a training day, I still go out there and throw and do my workouts... That may seem extreme to some, but if all I was planning on doing was sitting around watching TV, then why not go and spend my few hours doing what I already love and use the rest of the day to spend with family? Another thing I try to avoid is labeling enjoying the food as being bad. I try not to go overboard (meaning when I'm full, I stop eating) and remind myself my hard work doesn't disappear with a few great meals, even if I do feel out of it for a few days after. Feeling bad about enjoying time with your family and enjoying a home cooked meal should never happen!”
  • Ian Waltz (discus throw/’10 grant): “It's all about balance. Yeah you have those couple of splurge days to eat whatever you want but then it's back to your normal diet. I enjoy a nice long walk after the holiday meals....... you know to get the food settled so you can eat more when you get back...ha ha. I would suggest lots of walks or jogs with your family and then after January 1st it's back on your normal routine.”
  • Diana Pickler (heptathlon/’07-’08 grants): “I think just staying on track with your training.  I get with my coach on workouts that can be simplified so they are easily done during the holiday festivities. Also, I am very focused on my goals and so I don’t just forget about them in the holidays. So, I enjoy the yummy treats but do not go overboard. I never want to start training up after the holidays feeling sluggish, so I stay on track so I come back even stronger than when I left!”
  • Britney Henry (hammer throw/’08-’10 grants): “My advice to staying in shape over the holidays is to make sure that you stay active. I like to get up in the morning and either take my dog, Tasha, for a walk or head down to the beach for an early morning jog. Also, make sure that you only serve yourself what you can eat - don’t let your eyes fool you. Lastly, don’t stand next to the spiked egg nog too long. Heavy drinks have lots of calories and they can add up fast. Enjoy one but remember your walk may be longer if you have another.”
  • Elizabeth Roehrig (heptathlon/’10 grant): ”It's always hard with all the extra food. My mom makes an awesome crab salad dip that I can never stay out of, and my godmother makes this amazing dessert that melts in my mouth every year. One thing I do is find time to do some exercising. Even just a little bit. It's always hard in Wisconsin to get out and run, since the roads are usually completely ice or have a foot of snow on them, but I usually find time everyday to take my Chocolate Lab Sadie out for a walk or run. She loves it, and I get some good quality exercising in. Take a pet or family member and just enjoy each other’s company and either the gorgeous snow, or the beautiful sunshine!”

I guess I can feel a bit better about my Hot Tamale problem, as I took my dogs for a run this morning – thanks for the advice. I also loved Britney Henry’s response, “Don’t stand next to the spiked egg nog too long… Enjoy one but remember your walk may be longer if you have another.” Good luck, my friends.

ABOUT ASHLEY:

"Like many of you, growing up I wanted nothing more than to be an Olympian. The idea of competing to be the best in the world seems to me to be the ultimate thrill and accomplishment. I never realized my Olympic dream, but it has truly been an incredible opportunity supporting others to achieve theirs. As a member of the USATF Foundation Board, I’ve had the pleasure to meet athletes. I love hearing their stories. As my buddy Tom and I were talking about ways to better market the sport, we decided that very few fans get to know the athletes outside of results and BLOG would be a good way to share Foundation News, connect with youth teams and get to know our elites."

-- Ashley

ARCHIVES
> 12-17-10 HOT TAMALES
> 12-23-10 MERRY CHRISTMAS
> 2-4-11 JACK WICKENS' FAVORITE THINGS
> 2-11-11 STILL RUNNING IN HIS BLUE SHOES
> 9-22-11 INSIDE THE "SUPERIOR TRACK & FIELD" YOUTH PROGRAM
> 10-21-11 INTRODUCING NEW JERSEY IMPULSE
> 3-16-12 A CHAT WITH KESHIA BAKER

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ASHLEY WRIGHT, USATF FOUNDATION DIRECTOR

READ ASHLEY'S BIO HERE.