The start of the New Year represents a return to normalcy for me. Holiday decorations come down, the party carousel stops, the kids return to school, and I get to work on those all important New Year’s resolutions. By replacing Christmas cookies with salads and nights out with a few extra hours of sleep, January began the path to the new me I envision each New Year.
And then, just when I thought the holidays were in the rearview mirror, I turned my calendar to February, and it became clear why the gym is getting less and less busy.
The Super Bowl:
The Seahawks fell short this year, but let’s face it, there may not be a more American holiday than Super Bowl Sunday. After finishing a plate of nachos, 12 mini-hotdogs and a piece of football field cake, plus more carbonated beverages than I care to count, I think we need to seriously discuss declaring the Monday after Super Bowl an official day off from work for everybody. The game won’t be the same this year without the Hawks, but that won’t stop me from gorging myself and enjoying what could be Peyton Manning’s final ride.
Mardi Gras:
Seattle isn’t quite as rowdy as New Orleans, but any celebration that culminates in “Fat Tuesday” can’t possibly be good for my resolutions.
Valentine’s Day:
I make it a point to buy my wife flowers once a month, but I would prefer to avoid a crowded overpriced dinner just because Hallmark states that February 14th is for lovers. I will say this though, the greeting card, chocolate, and red rose industries love this holiday.
President’s Day:
Long weekends in winter generally involve a trip to the mountain for me, time spent with my family, and generally a few meals eaten out. At this point, a burger and fries is starting to take over for a healthy salad. It’s definitely a lot more appetizing.
Mid-Winter Break:
Do kids even go to school anymore? Between winter break, mid-winter break, and spring break it feels like my kids are on indefinite vacation from mid-December to March. With school breaks come family vacations, and whether it’s a week in Maui and drinks by the pool or a day trip to Snoqualmie and a stop at The Pancake House, these trips are rarely good for my waistline.
The one redeeming factor I can garner from this list is that regardless of the season, life is busy, but spending time with family and friends should never be discounted. Once February’s Holiday Season Redux comes to an end and the kids are back in school (momentarily) I will get myself back on track. I may not go back to salads, but as I turn the calendar to March…
Oh great… March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day, Spring Break, Easter! My trainer is going to kill me! Well, here’s to April resolutions, I guess. It doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.
