2….4….6….8……I think it’s time to tailgate! Some of you would rather put a hot poker in your eye than face what’s coming up. Not me. It’s time for football season and I love it. Whether you like it or not, it’s here. No matter who your favorite team is, there is nothing like football season. Cheering and screaming. Singing the fight song. Watching the middle aged men awkwardly give each other high fives. Hearing 90,000+ fans turn into screaming referee’s. Staring at the grandmother with the matching earrings, hat, rhinestone decorated shirt, purse and shaker that cheers no matter what happens on the field. Ok maybe that last part is just me. Anyway, I love this time of year. I love getting together with groups of people and laughing….and possibly ducking because our team is losing and some people throw things. Go team.

Here’s the best part about football season: tailgating. Here’s the worst part about football season: tailgating. It’s so hard to stay on track when there are such delicious goodies as Rotel Dip and chicken fingers. (Side note: Dipping the chicken fingers in the cheese dip is the bomb diggity…or so I heard). This is the first football season where I’m not eating dairy, sweets or anything really junky. I’m going on about 7 weeks and it is not easy. I’m oddly focused. I’m very quick to remind my chef of a husband “I can’t eat that”. I can sample whatever he’s wanting me to taste, just not consume it in mass quantities. I’m on a serious mission. You have no idea how awesome these past weeks have been without stomach aches or bloating.

So now I’m faced with this issue: how do I handle tailgating. I’ve read so many things like “Bring a low fat snack so you won’t be tempted”. Really? My husband’s friends would laugh/ “Hey Susan, are you bringing the usual Nooney Soul Patrol Casserole? Man the cheese, ham and beans together are so delicious!”. (FYI - That’s not the name but it’s what we somehow ended up calling a casserole through a miscommunication) My response could be “Well, I’m bringing mixed fruit this year” and then you would instantly hear the crickets loudly chirping. Most people that I know wouldn’t care, but I’m trying to watch what I’m eating and not make a big deal about it. Bringing mixed fruit is a red flag.

So what does one do? It’s so easy to get caught up in the drinking and eating and mingling. One minute you’re so proud of yourself for working out all week and eating healthy. Next thing you know, you’re headed to the car wondering why your stomach aches and how it all went terribly wrong. Tailgating doesn’t have to be about seeing how many pigs in a blanket you can cram into your mouth at one time. Not that I’ve ever played that game. It should be about fellowship, laughter and fun. The only thing I know I can do, is to eat something before I go. I can try my hardest to ignore the temptation. I can bring something that doesn’t tempt me (shrimp dip anyone?!). I just feel that the best option is to eat before I go and possibly throw some kind of healthy snack in my purse. Let’s be realistic: Does this plan mean I won’t take a nibble here and there of something? No way. Does it mean I will try to focus on anything but food? Yes way.

Now if you’re at an actual football game, eating before you go will only last so long. Just make the best choices with what you have in front of you. That’s the only thing I know to say. Make a decision that will be beneficial. Let’s say I’m at a home game this season and let’s say I’m hungry. You know, the smells and thoughts begin to creep in. I get the desire to try one of the best hot dogs from a certain vendor or their BBQ nachos (they seriously are delicious), I need to really think about the consequences. The consequences have a name called “Extreme Fit Bootcamp” and it’s like a big bad wolf (pun intended and if you get it, you know the vendor and my team)! Perhaps I’ll just have to find a local sandwich shop or some kind of healthier restaurant near the stadium and eat in a corner by myself. It’s not the first time that’s ever happened and it won’t be the last – but at least I won’t be mad at myself for not being focused.

Here’s the good news: Focusing on eating properly at a football party or game and ignoring temptation won’t be easy. In fact, it will be downright difficult. However, if I am prepared and don’t give into temptation, it will be rewarding. Here’s the bad news: If I don’t eat right, I’ll end up confessing because I somehow end up telling on myself. Next thing I know, I’ll be running up a hill literally carrying somebody on my back. Don’t knock it because it’s been done in class before.

So, what is your plan to stay focused during tailgating season?