How to stay on track with your Fitness and Health, keep BALANCE on Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season!!

 

Thanksgiving Healthy Holiday Survival Tips

 

I love the holidays and especially Thanksgiving! It is a wonderful day to spend with family and enjoy one of my most favorite meals!  It is a time to give thanks and have gratitude for all that we have.  I also believe in balance at holiday time and I am realistic! I have learned over the years a few tricks that help me to still enjoy the holiday meal and not have a huge effect on the scale!

 

1.    Have a plan

Having a plan and being prepared is half the battle. Meal prep over the weekend before your week starts. Have a healthy eating plan leading up to the big day. Eat 5-6 small meals each day focusing on eating lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, fruits and healthy fats. Follow portion control on your meals. Also, keep your meals simple during the week. They can be healthy, taste great and be quick meals.

 

2.    Have a daily exercise routine

Exercise on a daily basis and having a good routine prior to the holiday. The workouts do not have to be long and can be 30 minutes.  Exercise on the day of the holiday because you know that there will be some indulging going on. You may have to get up extra early, get your family involved, go for a run or walk and get fresh air and find the time to squeeze it in before all the fun festivities begin.

 

3.    Hydrate!!

 Start the morning with a big glass of warm lemon water. Drink plenty of water before the big meal! Drinking half your weight in ounces of water. I carry a water bottle with me everywhere I go. Once it is empty, refill! When traveling, have a plan to bring along plenty of water. Bring a little cooler bag if necessary for traveling long distances and always be prepared. Continue to drink water throughout the day. On holidays we tend to eat a little more sodium than usual.

 

4.    Make a healthy appetizer, side dish or dessert.

Over the years I have experimented with so many recipes and I have found some great alternatives and still have all the flavor! There are tons of recipes for Thanksgiving that can be cleaned up. Apple Stuffing, Homemade cranberry sauce, sautéed string beans with mushrooms and garlic and a lighten-up pumpkin pie to name a few.

 

5.    Do not skip meals and keep it healthy the day of the holiday

Start your day with a healthy breakfast such as 2 eggs and vegetables with a slice of whole grain toast. Have a healthy shake or smoothie. Eat every 2-3 hours leading up to the big meal. Have a salad with a lean protein in it for lunch. This will keep your energy and spirits up. Do not skip meals and think that you are saving your calories. You will go to the holiday gathering starving and wind up eating more and lead to poor food choices!

 

6.    Fill your plate with plenty of vegetables, salad and turkey or lean protein

Choose plenty of vegetables, salad, lean proteins to fill the plate up. Then fill the rest of your plate with all the other delicious fun foods but keep it in small portions. I would choose your favorite splurges and leave out the ones that you are not that excited about.  

 

7.    Enjoy the meal and have gratitude

Enjoy every bite! If you are going to splurge, enjoy it!!Enjoy the time spent together with family and friends.

 

8.    Limit alcohol consumption

There are a ton of calories in alcohol. This also leads to eating more than planned. Try adding seltzer to your glass of wine to lighten up the drink and make it go further. There are lots of options to create healthier drinks so you can still enjoy yourself and not feel deprived.

 

9.    Go for a walk after the big meal

 

           Take your family and friends with you! Get the family out and play a game of football! Have fun together.

 

10. Have no regrets!

Take time to enjoy this special time with loved ones, enjoy the meal and splurge on one dessert but remember to get right back on track the next day. Enjoy it and don’t feel guilty. Stay on a clean eating plan daily so on holiday occasions you can enjoy a good old splurge with regrets! Focus on staying healthy throughout the holiday season. Keep an 80/20 rule. 80% you will eat on point and 20% is for splurges. You will actually feel better, have more energy and enjoy the busy holiday season.

 

I have a plan for you to stay on track for the holiday season! Join my Santa Slimdown group starting December 5^th. I will help you get started and keep you motivated along the way. I will also help you with meal planning and plenty of recipes to stay on track. My group provides tons of support and motivation also! You sure don’t have to do it alone! Email me to get started at thefitandhealthymama@gmail.com