Football Hangover: 30 Days Without Booze

Now that football season is over, it’s time to shed those pesky pounds we’ve been hiding under those tent-like Redskins jerseys and extra large Raiders T-shirts. Too many of us spent the past six months competing Buffalo wing for Buffalo wing and beer for beer with our husbands, boyfriends and significant others. Now it’s time to redeem ourselves and get back to our healthy habits. With this plan, you don’t have to worry about cutting back on your favorite foods— this weight loss method focuses instead on altering your drinking habits.

I recently read an article about women who had been trying to lose weight. Many were stunned to learn they had been consuming, in some cases, more than 2,000 calories per week in alcoholic beverages alone. Their intake usually included a couple of glasses of wine, a handful of beers or a few cocktails each night. They thought this was pretty harmless, but as many of you know, those calories can really add up over the course of a week. Furthermore, when you drink, your ability to sustain healthy eating habits becomes tougher.

The women in the article faced this challenge: Give up all alcoholic beverages for 30 days. Each subject lost weight, ranging from 5-15 pounds, having made only this one change. They didn’t alter their eating or exercise habits at all—in fact, many weren’t on any type of nutritional or activity program at all.

What if you were asked to go 30 days without alcohol? Is this a plan that could work for you? Try it and see.

Playoff Picture

The Dolphins have rebounded superbly, the Colts are on a tear, the Eagles are freaking frightening, and the Falcons are tough to beat. Clearly, before we settle into March Madness, we have some January craziness to figure out.

How will the next few weeks play out?

Portis v. Zorn: Pick A Side

I choose Portis, hands down.

Portis has played most of the season injured. He has the biggest heart of anyone on the Skins or in the NFL for that matter. I am livid that Zorn would call out Portis. He clearly doesn't understand the concept of "team." This year, Zorn has thrown individual players and units under the bus--Chris Samuels, for one. The offensive line as a whole. Do I think that players should be held accountable? Absolutely. But I think Portis has been accountable and more.

Heart? This is a guy that was once injured in a game making a linebacker-esque tackle on a play. He blocks. He's a receiver. He's a running back. He plays hurt. He has had enormous success on two teams--Denver and Washington. We traded a shutdown corner--Champ Bailey--for him. He's more than made up for that decision.

Zorn? Prove something first, then take on individual players.

Houston's Problem? Comets Disbanded

The WNBA's Houston Comets franchise recently was disbanded. Having won the first four WNBA titles, this was one of the league's most successful franchises.

Is this the beginning of the end for the WNBA or is this simply an isolated situation?

So Long, Sorenstam

Annika Sorenstam's LPGA Tour career ended—on American soil, at least—with a missed cut at the ADT Championship in Florida. (She will play events in Singapore and Dubai before officially hanging up her spikes.) Let it be clear, though, that this ending in no way tarnishes her career.

Annika is not an NBA player, limping off the court after bouncing around from team to team, trying to collect a paycheck at the tail end of a once-glorious career.

Nor is she a so-so quarterback who's been in and out of the league and called upon only as a desperation hire for an injury-depleted team.

Sure, the Hall of Famer played in only 13 events in 2007 because of a back injury, but she finished in the top 10 in six of those events.

Annika, with her trophy case of victories, was and is much, much more.

Redskins vs. Cowboys: The Rivalry Continues

No Portis.
A Rusty Romo.

Which team will overcome its shortcoming and prevail?

Cup Runneth Over

Over the weekend, sports fans had their pick of events. There was an intense SEC battle, patriotism on the line, and an historic ending in baseball. What held your attention this weekend?

On Saturday night, in a battle of Tigers, LSU (6) launched a late comeback to edge Auburn (10) in an SEC clash. Ohio State (13) had an unimpressive 28-10 victory over Troy, a team it should have beaten by a much wider margin.

In golf, the Americans defeated the Europeans to claim the Ryder Cup for the first time since 1999. Rookie Anthony Kim defeated Sergio Garcia, 5-4, in one of Sunday’s most exciting matches.

In the NFL, Miami posted an un-Dolphin like blowout of the Patriots, 38-13. In addition, there were two overtime games (Giants-Bengals and Bucs-Bears) and other thrillers, namely down-to-the-wire battles between the Colts-Jags and Broncos-Saints.

For those in a nostalgic mood on Sunday, there were seven hours of pregame coverage leading up to the Orioles-Yankees contest, the final game that will ever be played at Yankee Stadium.

Finally, the Emmys offered another form of entertainment. Will Tina Fey (aka, Sarah Palin) win an award for her role on “30 Rock,” and will Hugh Laurie finally be properly recognized for his portrayal on “House.” Stay tuned.

So, what were your viewing habits this weekend?