12 Days of Christmas

Day 2

Be Savvy to Fitness and Mall Café Courts

Growing up, a holiday tradition was going to City Center on Black Friday.  We would park in the parking garage, close to the entrance, and have fun riding the escalators and the glass elevators.  We’d dine at the pizza venues and have dessert from the cinnamon bun venue. It was so glamorous to be downtown shopping and being a part of such a scene, especially for a young girl who hailed from Northeastern Licking County.

Times have certainly changed! City Center is no longer in existence, and shopping on Black Friday sends chills down my spine; Let alone navigating parking lots for premier parking spots.  Instead of stressing out for convenience and driving around to find the perfect parking spot, opt to park further away from the main doors.  It’s good for your body, a great way to decompress, and you are less likely to back into someone or something.  Skip the escalator and elevator.  Elect to take the steps.  It’s difficult yes, when you are weighed down with bags of merchandise, but think of those extra bags as extra weight.  It’s more motivation to take the steps and feel good about it.

Avoid the café courts at all costs.  Sure  the pizza venue smells amazing as you are rounding the corner, but avoid temptation.  Be armed with wholesome snacks such as almonds, walnuts, and raisins and bottled water.  Snacking on these will help stave off hunger and resist temptation for that big slice of 660 calorie cheese pizza. 

Remember, park far away from the mall.  Take the stairs, and be armed with healthy snacks!  You will make it through your holiday shopping adventure!