Sidetracking Those February Goodies!

By Donna Stark

Just when you think you got your healthy lifestyle back on track, February decides to roll around and mess it up. And even though this month may not be able to hold a candle to the holiday season at the end of the year, it's certainly not lacking in its own amount of treats and sweets. Chocolates, candy, and cupcakes are filling the air around us, and if it weren't for those cute little smiley hearts on each and every one, it may be easier to ignore them. Fortunately, there is no reason for despair! There are several things you can do that will help keep you on the right track.

Sidetracking Those Goodies!

Staying healthy and avoiding those extra calories can be difficult during this time of year, especially if you are surrounded with stacks and piles of goodies every single day or if those close to you like to share their leftover treats. But instead of avoiding the coworker that fills the office candy jars on the daily or running away from your children who bring their Valentine's candy home from school, you can follow some of the simple tips below.

• Office treats - Plates of brownies, trays of cookies ... everyone loves to celebrate a holiday at work! But unfortunately, that usually means extra sugar and calories too. So why don't you counteract the effects those treats had on everyone and bring something healthy to share in the office this week?
• Candy control - You know your children are going to be getting plenty of candy and sweets at school, so do they really need the extra treats at home too? Skip the candy at home and see if your children will agree to swapping theirs for non-sweet gifts, such as art supplies, a new game, or tickets to their favorite trampoline park. It's a great way to keep the temptations out of your house!
• Donate the goods - As a last resort, you can always donate the extra candy too. Plenty of dentists offer incentives to bring your candy in and some organizations will collect the treats to send overseas to our troops. A quick search online can help you find those who do this.

Balance the Love

It's perfectly OK to treat yourself and the ones you love in February, but try to keep all the snacking in moderation. And remember, there are plenty of other ways, besides candy, to express your feelings. 

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Denver, Colo.