Celebrate Fashion, Fitness and Chocolate with Style
November 25, 2008
Marie Green is a fashion stylist and writer from San Diego California. She is the Fashion Editor of FINE Homes and Living Magazine and her column, “Fashion Focus” has appeared in FINE Magazine as well as LaJolla Light, The Del Mar Times, Del Mar Ink, The Carmel Valley Leader, Rancho Santa Fe Record, and The Solana Beach Sun. Marie is also the co-founder of SheWants.com.
by guest contributor, andrene rene dZiubinski,
founder of fitness by dZign and personal health trainer and stylist
Let’s face it, the Holiday season is the premier time of year for parties, toasts, and high fashion! For those of us who live in California, where casual dress is more the rule than the exception, it is a special time to step out and put our "well-heeled" selves forward with friends and family. Come December and the first of another new year, we “fashionistas” are called to shine!
But along with all the joy and celebration of the season comes the complicated act of balancing our usual healthy lifestyle with a relentless and abundant procession of rich foods, special sweets, and merry drinks — not the most compatible combination of temptations for those of us who want to maintain a flattering figure for our year round companions, Christian Dior and Dolce & Gabbana.
As a personal fitness trainer and a professional fashion stylist, let me share a few of my own general health strategies for staying fit and trim during this party filled time of year as well as my number one motivation to do so — a passion for fashion!
It may surprise you coming from a fitness expert, but I am a firm believer that there should be no guilt when it comes to indulging! Let me explain. First of all, if you exercise regularly and generally eat healthy, then I believe a few guiltless splurges are your holiday right! However, if you are eying your favorite sweets and that pesky voice in your head immediately chimes in before you’ve even taken that first bite, then spare yourself the next day’s remorse — it is not worth it — and skip the treat in favor of a more nutritious nibble that you can feel good about. Just be honest with yourself. This strategy works for those of us who have no choice but to listen to that bothersome voice constantly whispering in our ear.
Similarly, choosing healthy party foods does not strictly mean that you have to hang out at the veggie platter all night. Try to also balance the holiday sweets with selection of fruits, nuts, and proteins, and plenty of pure water to keep your body satisfied and in shape to celebrate. Also, alternatives full of antioxidants boost energy and work to keep your immune system strong. For example, choose a glass of red wine as opposed to a syrupy cocktail, a piece of dark chocolate as opposed to fudge (pure butter), and you will be zipping along on your latest shopping excursion with no nagging baggage to tote along!
Beyond the senseless guilt, we also know complete deprivation of all the delicious offerings of the season is sure to fail. Remember that it is ultimately your choice what you put into your body and that there is a cause and effect for every action. It might be you who will accept the invitation to the party knowing that you are a self professed choc-o-holic, and therefore you might choose to have that extra triple fudge brownie, but then you will also choose to workout a bit longer the next day. Sensible choices made. Indulgence had. No regrets!
And, with all the hard work and determination that we pour into our overall health and happiness we deserve regular rewards (Yes, a periodic shopping spree, but definitely some sweets in moderation as well!). Think of it as a trade-off in the name of fashion and fitness; my motto is workout your body as well as your wardrobe! Thirty minutes to an hour of cardiovascular exercise in exchange for an evening of fun, friends, and well deserved decadence! Or another option that I know will work: utilize a fitness trainer for motivation and personally planned workouts to keep you in attendance at all the parties, both looking and feeling your absolute best — in that new designer dress!
Yes, you can have your cake and eat it, too! So before you hit the holiday party circuit dressed to the nines, make sure to leave the guilt behind, enjoy what the season provides in moderation, and stay committed to an equally balanced fitness routine. You can make fashion, chocolate…and fitness a stylish affair!
Cheers!
andrene rene dZiubinski
fitness by dZign / 858.205.330
