The Healthy Gambler - 50 Resources for Gamblers Who Want To Stay Fit

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

Casinos are not the best places for a person to stay fit and healthy. There are the free drinks, the all-you-can-eat buffets, smoke, and snack corners where you can get those great greasy cheese fries at 2 in the morning. It’s no wonder the waist line on gamblers can get a little stretched. It brings a new meaning to “belly up to the table”. So how do gamblers stay fit? Here are 50 tips and resources to help you manage that weight while you play the slots.

Exercise

Healthy Gambler

This is a no-brainer. If you exercise, you are going to burn calories and fat. Whether you are needing to get fit or want to stay fit, exercise is the key.

Running, either outdoors on the sidewalk or indoors on a treadmill, is always a popular way to lose weight. It is also a good cardio workout to keep your heart healthy. Just make sure your knees are in good shape before you try it.
Weight training is another great exercise. Building up the muscles reduces fat. You can get some cheap dumbbells at just about any super store or athletic center.
Getting plenty of rest is sometimes overlooked when it comes to health and fitness. Gamblers in particular are known for their long hours at the casinos. Try to get eight hours of sleep a night. The better rested you are, the healthier you are going to be.
When it comes to physical exercise, don’t over do it. Too much exercise can do you more harm than good. You can cause damage to muscles and strain ligaments and tendons.
Keep a log or exercise record of your workouts. As you go through your routine, check off what you complete each day so you can see your progress.
Try to exercise before eating. You will find that you will have more of an appetite and it helps with digestion.
Quit smoking. You know its bad for you. Some casinos are full of cigarette smoke but many now have no smoking sections. Try to find a no-smoking casino near you or wear a patch when you visit.
Exercise on a budget that is right for you. You shouldn’t go out and spend thousands of dollars on equipment if you can’t afford it.
Try joining a gym. You can find one just about anywhere. The monthly fees can get expensive but working out around others in a fitness environment is great motivation.
For some positive recreation, try taking up a sport like tennis, racquetball, or basketball. The key is to choose a sport where you can keep moving. Golf, while relaxing and fun, is not the best sport if you are trying to lose weight.

Nutrition and Eating Habits

Healthy Gambling Nutrition Eating all those nachos and chugging down beers while at the poker table is not a good way to stay fit. You have to eat right or you will eventually be sitting further and further away from the table. If you don’t know what is considered healthy, do some research on nutritional foods.

Cut back on the junk food. Yeah, those cheese fries are good but try some grapes or an apple. Junk food is nothing but empty calories and is only going to add to the waistline.
Try eating smaller meals more frequently. This is a good way to control your hunger. This method enables you to keep your stomach satisfied without gorging on a couple of big meals a day.
Gamblers are bad about eating a lot of carbs. Cut back on the carbs by eating things with a lot of whole wheat, rice, fruits, and seafood. Many casinos have seafood buffets on certain nights so take advantage of that.
Hit the salad bar and fill up there. You can practically eat all the green stuff you want and it is healthier than those buffalo wings and cheeseburgers.
Alcohol is bad for many reasons. Alcohol lowers the metabolism so you don’t burn as many calories. Also, too much alcohol can affect your judgment when playing the casino games. You don’t have to cut it out altogether but use it in moderation.
Slow down and chew your food. Don’t eat so fast. When you slow down, it gives your stomach a chance to realize that it is full.
Drinking coffee before a workout can actually speed up your metabolism and help you burn fat faster. Try a cup or two an hour beforehand. But those expensive lattes and cappuccinos are full of fatty calories. Try something lighter.
Cut back on salt and sodium. Too much sodium lowers the metabolism and is bad for your heart. It also can mask the true flavors of some foods so cut back and enjoy.
Here is a big one for gamblers. Avoid late night snacking. I know, you are up all night playing the games and you get hungry. If you have to eat, remember to eat healthy. Stay away from the vending machines and fried foods.
Drink more water. It is practically the healthiest natural thing on the planet and most people don’t drink enough of it. Water helps keep you hydrated and you are less likely to get sick.

Do It From Home

Healthy Gambler at Home Staying fit does not have to happen at an expensive gym and does not have to cost an arm and a leg. There are many things you can do at home to stay fit and healthy.

When exercising at home, you should think small. You don’t have to get a gym’s worth of equipment to stay fit. Remember how much space you have and plan accordingly.
Remember your budget. Staying fit and healthy can be expensive. If you save money to stay healthy, you have more money for the casino.
When shopping around for some exercise equipment try second hand sports stores and pawn shops. You can sometimes find stuff for half the price.
Go online and check out free fitness videos such as on Youtube. You can download them and work out to them.
You can also work out with fitness programs on television. In the morning there are several cable programs to show you how.
If don’t want to work out indoors, figure out a route outside to go jogging. Map it out and keep track of the miles.
Stock the fridge with healthier food. Get rid of all those sodas and candy bars. Try some yogurt or nutrition bars.
Make use of your time and set up a schedule. People lead busy lives and it is hard to set aside time to work out. Try just fifteen minutes a day to start.
Get rid of that riding lawn mower and push it. Come on, the yard isn’t that big. Do that during the summer and you want need to jog.
If you live close to work, try biking it. You may have to star a little sooner to get ther eon time but the experience could be well worth it.

Do It While Traveling

Gambling Healthy While Traveling Many gamblers, especially professionals, spend a lot of time away from home. But you can still find ways to stay fit even when on the road.

Make sure the hotel has a gym. Most of them do, even the budget hotels.
Pack your own healthy foods and snacks. This will cut down on the temptation to eat unhealthy simply because there are less options around.
Pack some work out clothes and jogging shoes. You don’t want to have to go shopping for new exercise clothes every time you go somewhere.
Pack some easy exercise equipment such as a resistance band or light-weight dumbbells.
Work out early before a meeting or before you go to the casino. That way if you lose track of time or the game runs over, you still have your workout in for the day.
Check and see if your gym membership has any affiliated programs. If you belong to a fitness chain, see if they have one of their gyms near where you are staying
Don’t let stress determine what you eat. If things don’t go well during the day or you hit a losing streak at the tables, don’t drown yourself in cheap, greasy food.
Do it old school. Even if you have no equipment or the hotel does not have a gym, you can always do push ups, sit ups, and triceps dips.
Use the pool. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise. Do some laps.
Watch what you eat when eating out. Avoid fast foods and when at a restaurant, make sure there are some healthier options on the menu.

Mental Game

Gambler Mental Health Staying fit is all about willpower and discipline. Many people fall off their diet because they lost the mental battle. You have to have a gameplan to accomplish it.

Quit beating yourself up over your weight. Don’t be negative and try to think positive thoughts of the future.
Stay off the scales for awhile. If you are losing weight, it can take time. Getting on the scales can be depressing.
Get some discipline. Try working up a weekly plan and stick to it. Be realistic and take it one day at a time.
Set up one meal a week as a reward for doing well. You can eat what you want for that one meal but don’t go overboard. Two slices of apple pie is not a reward. That is backsliding.
If you are trying to get fit, going it alone can be tough. Get some friends and family to keep you motivated. Help them to understand how hard it is.
Try doing some things for yourself. Picking up a hobby will keep you mentally healthy and help to keep your mind off of food.
Know when enough is enough. Don’t keep eating just because the casino’s buffet is there. You should eat what you only need and then call it quits.
Buy a pair of new clothes with the size that you want to fit into. Put them in the closet or even out somewhere so you can see them. This is a great way to keep motivated.
You should join a support group. Other people trying to stay fit and healthy know how difficult it can be. There are plenty of free groups online that offer that kind of support.
Patience. Getting fit is not going to happen overnight. If you are trying to lose weight, it can take months to do it right. Just like poker; be patient and it will pay off.

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