Hailing from a jean-busting, holiday feast tradition, I am trained to get seconds, double-up on mashed potatoes both times, and try every kind of pie. As we turn the corner on Thanksgiving week, I know that I am battling a predisposition to chow down wherever I land for my Thanksgiving meal and expect the same challenge for each of my clients.
In the year of 2008, America as a country has been through some serious events and this first opportunity to really celebrate a day off and let the wine flow, I predict will be one of the most gluttonous of Thanksgiving in years past.
I could write here to half your sugar with artificial sweeteners, fill your plate with vegetables and turkey, drink 2 glasses of water prior to your meal, and stop when your full…but, the odds of this actually happening are 1 in 10. So instead of going that route, let’s put in place some preventative measures that are slightly more carefree and less tied to the actual Thanksgiving meal.
Let’s knock this out…
1. Make T-day your cheat day. Eat clean the rest of the week and avoid taking home any leftovers that wouldn’t fit into your normal diet. Enjoy fresh turkey sandwiches on wheat with a little cranberry sauce on the days after Thanksgiving, all the greens you can fit in tupperware, and plain sweet potatoes with cinnamon to stay in the holiday spirit.
2. You’ve got the day off… go for a walk when you wake up in the morning and a walk after dinner. Get some sunshine and try not to spend the entire day in front of the TV. Better yet, walk with a family member you haven’t gotten to spend enough time with. If you are planning to watch a ton of football, try to get up and move around on commercial breaks…climb some stairs, do some lunges or squats or sit ups. Commercial breaks are only 3 minutes.. great for interval training!
3. Plan a late morning workout for the day after Thanksgiving. Whether you intend it or not, you will be loaded full of carbs and therefore full of energy. Your endurance should supercede your normal ability. Live it up. Do an extra 20 mins of cardio on top of your normal cardio or an extra 30 mins of cardio after your normal weight training routine. Jump around, push your speed and resistance and enjoy it!
4. Try to progress your workout routine in intensity or length of time in the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas week. You’ll have lots of holiday parties to attend and look hot for and kicking things up a notch will help prep you for January 1.
5. Start to bear your resolutions in mind. Try not to set yourself behind but put yourself ahead by dodging holiday weight gain with these little health tricks.
Enjoy every morsel of your Thanksgiving meal!! Eat slow and take joy in indulging in the tastiest of American traditions.
