If your shadow blotted a little more ground than you’d like and you scared yourself back into hibernation consider the Groundhog Day Diet.

First off a little background, the groundhog is also known as the wood chuck, the land beaver, or the whistle pig. Huh? Thank you Wikipedia.  The chunky little whistle pigs can eat up to a one-third of their weight in vegetation  and do so before winter. They put on a layer of fat so they can hibernate in peace. Is it possible that some of us are part groundhog? Here’s our favorite tidbit from Wikipedia.

Despite their heavy-bodied appearance, groundhogs are accomplished swimmers and climbers, and climb trees to escape predators or survey their surroundings. They prefer to retreat to their burrows when threatened; if the burrow is invaded, the groundhog tenaciously defends itself with its two large incisors and front claws. Groundhogs are generally antagonistic and territorial among their own species, and may skirmish to establish dominance.

In honor of these eating, sleeping,  fat storing, and “generally antagonistic” whistle pigs here’s your Groundhog Day Diet.

1. Get plenty of sleep.

2. Eat a large salad with nuts on top (groundhogs are essentially squirrels thus the nuts.)

3. Consider going for a swim to add variety to your cardio.  (We’re checking to see if it’s possible for the indoor pool to have a “dim the lights” lap time. We’re winter white and don’t want to scare other innocent health club members. We’re white enough to illuminate the health club so they could save on fluorescent light bills.)

4. Try on a smaller size jeans. If they don’t fit, six more weeks of dieting!