With the Calgary Stampede only a few days away, I thought I would share some of my tips and tricks to getting through the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth without the often inevitable hangovers and bloating.

If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you’ll know that I’m a firm believer in everything in moderation, Stampede is no different. I love mini donuts, other midway fare, and bevies at the rodeo and tents just as much as the next person – the tips I’m about to share will ensure I don’t pay for the indulgences in the hours and days afterwards!

First and foremost, eat before you go out! This is a simple one, make sure you’re not starving before getting to the Stampede grounds or an event, have a solid meal with enough protein to keep temptation at bay. That way when you’re out, you can safely sample a few goodies without fear of overdoing it.

Water

This is probably quite obvious – but make sure you’re drinking enough water. Temps are usually higher during Stampede and with the extra alcohol you may be consuming, you’re more likely to become dehydrated. Ensuring you’re getting enough water will help detoxify and relieve any bloating from overly greasy and fatty foods. You could also think about trying out a supplement that helps with bloating and gas like the lectin shield capsules, so your discomfort doesn’t last long and you can continue enjoying yourself. I like to start most mornings with a warm glass of water and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The lemon helps flush out toxins by stimulating the digestive system and makes the process of eliminating waste easier. It also helps to alkalize the body, which I’ll talk about more a little later.

In addition to water, Coconut Water can help replenish electrolytes lost after too much time in the sun or one to many bevies on an afternoon at the rodeo or night out.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Since much of the food found on the Stampede grounds and events is carbohydrate heavy, I like to take a shot of Apple Cider Vinegar before I indulge and the morning after. Apple cider vinegar when combined with carbohydrates improves the insulin response. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas and determines whether glucose from food is stored in muscle to be used for energy later or as fat. Apple Cider Vinegar promotes glucose storage in muscles – a very good thing!

Apple cider vinegar also increases stomach acid levels and helps with digestion, which helps with elimination and detoxification.

Green Juice

Midway fare and alcohol tend to have an acidic effect on our bodies, which is the perfect breeding ground for chronic disease, such as problems in the the digestive system, liver, and kidneys, in addition to Inflammation, allergies, arthritis, skin problems, constipation, and bowel issues. Excess acidity also sets the stage for bad bacteria (like yeast and fungus) and even viruses that wreak havoc on our health – have you ever fallen ill after a weekend of indulgence? This is why!

Green juice is not only alkaline in nature, it’s full of vitamins and minerals, which is exactly why there is green juice for athletes, green juice for diabetes, and green juice for this occasion too. It’s an easy way to neutralize the damage of over-indulgence during Stampede week. So make sure to drink plenty of greens, and if you’re still experiencing various health issues, know that there are always other options to try and manage certain symptoms of your over-indulgence. For example, if nothing you’re trying seems to be working, why not step out of the box a little and try other methods to attempt to relieve the pain, such as using an adult toy that is being used by some as a constipation treatment, or even look into the likes of full-body detoxes and cleanses. The trick is finding what works best for your body and health.

Effervescent B Vitamins

Speaking of indulgence, when it comes to alcohol – plan ahead. If your night is bound to include a few extra drinks, a simple trick is to take an effervescent B vitamin before you head out and a second when you get home or the following morning. There is much debate on how exactly this works, whether the vitamins actually help you detoxify the alcohol faster or if it’s just the replenishing of the diminished water soluble B vitamins that help, regardless of how they work – they work! Give it a try!

Workout

Continue with your exercise routine as best you can. The regular movement will help burn the excess calories you may have consumed, detoxify the body, help with energy and most importantly reduce the guilt of indulging – it’s Stampede Week after all – time to kick up our boots, don our hats and have some fun! … And mini donuts … Happy Stampeding!