Happy Thanksgiving! Hard to believe another year has gone by since last year's holiday, so lets ask ourselves what we find ourselves thankful for this year. Perhaps a caring family, caring friends, a roof over your head, or all of the hard work you have been doing around building a healthier you? Whatever the reason(s) you find yourself being thankful for this year, lets remember that this holiday is not merely about the feast you are perhaps about to indulge in but all the special things around you! Especially if you have been so diligent around building a healthier you over the past year. Many of us allow this time to be the time we indulge in bigger more elaborate meals with the idea of refocusing back in the first of the year. Sure, on paper that may sound to be a fantastic plan, I mean you deserve it right? Unfortunately the writing on the paper doesn't work out as well in reality. Why is that, well simply put, if you find yourself putting on extra weight during the holiday season due to the holidays, parties, reduced physical activities, etc. it is highly probable you will find yourself with that same amount of extra weight on come next Thanksgiving. Sure perhaps it may not be a large amount that you find yourself adding on over this next month period, but over time it adds up! No pun intended.
Challenge yourself this year to focus not on the food and drink that will be more than likely dominating today's festivities nor the festivities of the next month. However, focus on those around you, on you and the amazing accomplishments you have overcome this past year. I am sure it was no simple feat, so challenge yourself to protect it over the holiday. Ways you can find yourself easily doing so:
Don't cease your regular routine: If your your morning routine is to get up and go for a walk, don't put that off during this time. Or before heading home you have an afternoon shake with fruit to ward off any unwanted hunger. Keep up your physical activities and healthy eating habits. Just because it is the holidays doesn't mean these habits you have built for yourself go on vacation, they are always there right by your side to assist you. It just require you to keep the action alive!
More is better: No this doesn't mean go out and gouge yourself with desert and stuffing. Utilize more of the healthy eating habits you know and come to rely on all year long. Before heading out to any social gathering or before cooking the Thanksgiving dinner, eat a healthy snack that you know will keep you satisfied and full. Keeping yourself full and satisfied is a great way to stay focused on the bigger picture at hand and reduce the triggered cravings at hand.
Offer your services: Whether you are preparing the Thanksgiving meal or you are going to a friend or relative's home, offer to bring one or two healthy options. Not only does this appear to others that you are engaged and willing to help out but also it is a sure way to be guaranteed there is something there you know you can safely fill up on.
Portion control: When faced with all of the delectable treats remember to choose wisely. It is easy for us to become over whelmed with all of the selections. Look everything over first. Internally make a list of things you know will be staple foods on your plate and what the serving sizes will be for you. If someone tells you that you absolutely need to try something, but it is not in your list what you want to put on your plate, nothing says a little white lie will hurt. Merely explain that you will try it on the next round. Instead of going with the flow having a mental visual of what you will be going for helps a long way.
Goodbye leftovers: If you are preparing the meal or going out, be sure that once the festivities are over with you are not left with any left overs. If you are a the one preparing the meal offer inexpensive containers for others to fill and take with them. This is a great way of environmental control and reducing the ability for that infamous later kitchen crawl for snacks.
Overall the intent is for you to enjoy yourself this Thanksgiving holiday. Simply start a new tradition of not making the center of the holiday the meal but make the focus that of everything you are grateful for. Sure there may be some pitfalls over the holiday but remember, simply pick yourself right back up and continue practicing the wonderful healthy habits you have created for yourself over the past year. That will ultimately help you be the successful in the end around your healthier self. Happy Thanksgiving and be healthy everyone!
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