Do you feel like the holidays completely derail your healthy train? The holidays can be tricky. It can be hard to make healthy choices when it seems you are surrounded by temptation! Here’s the good news! I’ve compiled a few tips and tricks that will help you get through Thanksgiving and the holiday season without regret!
Make sure you get enough movement!
Get outside and move! Take a walk or jog early in the day. Join a local Turkey Trot and get that done first thing. Take the family outside for a game of flag football. Take a walk after your Thanksgiving meal. This helps stabilize blood sugar and speeds digestion. See my post about walking after meals for more information!
Offer to help with chores. You may be surprised at how doing housework can improve your circulation and burn calories. Offer to help do the dishes and put them away, or any other chore that you see needs doing.
Don’t skip breakfast. Eat a good, healthy, protein-rich breakfast. People think that they will save up their calories for the main meal, but this actually just causes you to overeat and then feel yucky and regret eating those 3 slices of pie for the rest of the day.
Use a smaller plate. You will actually eat less over the course of the meal if you have a smaller dish to eat off. In fact, on average you will eat about 22% less food with a smaller plate.
Offer to help with chores. You may be surprised at how doing housework can improve your circulation and burn calories. Offer to help do the dishes and put them away, or any other chore that you see needs doing.
Don’t skip breakfast. Eat a good, healthy, protein-rich breakfast. People think that they will save up their calories for the main meal, but this actually just causes you to overeat and then feel yucky and regret eating those 3 slices of pie for the rest of the day.
Use a smaller plate. You will actually eat less over the course of the meal if you have a smaller dish to eat off. In fact, on average you will eat about 22% less food with a smaller plate.
Eating mindfully changes our relationship with food
Eat mindfully. Chew slowly. Make sure that each bite is completely chewed and in a liquid state before you swallow it. Try to notice everything about what you are eating and fully enjoy each bite. Eating this way means you usually consume fewer calories, but actually enjoy your food more!
Drink plenty of water. If you are dehydrated, you will often think you are hungry when you are actually just thirsty. Drink water throughout the entire day so you are able to differentiate thirst from hunger.
Watch out for hidden calories. Alcoholic beverages and cocktails contain a lot of calories, so remember that before you decide to imbibe. Try to drink things that have less sugar. Water is the best choice of all!
Think before seconds. After you eat your first plate of food, wait about 20 minutes before going back for seconds. That is about how long it takes for your body to recognize if you are full. If you are still hungry after the 20 minutes, feel free to go back and get a little more!
Drink plenty of water. If you are dehydrated, you will often think you are hungry when you are actually just thirsty. Drink water throughout the entire day so you are able to differentiate thirst from hunger.
Watch out for hidden calories. Alcoholic beverages and cocktails contain a lot of calories, so remember that before you decide to imbibe. Try to drink things that have less sugar. Water is the best choice of all!
Think before seconds. After you eat your first plate of food, wait about 20 minutes before going back for seconds. That is about how long it takes for your body to recognize if you are full. If you are still hungry after the 20 minutes, feel free to go back and get a little more!
Enjoy sweets in moderation during the holidays
Enjoy a dessert. Don’t feel like you have to forgo desserts if you are trying to have a healthy holiday. Just be smart about it. One sensibly- sized slice of pie is fine. Go ahead and enjoy! Just try not to enjoy four slices!
Take time to relax. If you feel stressed about seeing family or cooking a big meal, taking time to relax is important. Try doing some meditation or spend a little time doing some relaxing breathing techniques.
Get plenty of sleep. Make sure you get to bed early and get plenty of restful sleep before the big day. This will give you energy and help you feel less stressed.
Enjoy it! Be forgiving with yourself and others. Don’t expect perfection. Just enjoy the day, however it turns out.
Take time to relax. If you feel stressed about seeing family or cooking a big meal, taking time to relax is important. Try doing some meditation or spend a little time doing some relaxing breathing techniques.
Get plenty of sleep. Make sure you get to bed early and get plenty of restful sleep before the big day. This will give you energy and help you feel less stressed.
Enjoy it! Be forgiving with yourself and others. Don’t expect perfection. Just enjoy the day, however it turns out.
Be forgiving and don't expect perfection
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