Losing weight can be hard enough with temptations constantly surrounding us; however, nothing compares to holidays like Thanksgiving where the focus is all about food! While one day of indulgences is not going to undo all your weight loss efforts, it’s easy for that one day to turn into days, then weeks, and even months. Here’s our top tips for how to get back on track post-Thanksgiving festivities.
Plan ahead by going into Thanksgiving with a game plan. Normally exercise on Thursdays? Don’t skip that workout, even if you have to move it to earlier in the day. Typically log your daily food intake? Take a pictures of your plate, and track your meal afterwards (tell your relatives it’s for the gram!). While you shouldn’t expect yourself to remain as disciplined on Thanksgiving as you normally do on a typical day, by maintaining your daily habits as much as possible on this day, will make getting back on track that much that much easier.
Commit to making your “day off” a day and not a month. If Thursday is the only day you have planned to celebrate Thanksgiving, keep it that way when it comes to your nutrition and fitness. Just because you have Thanksgiving leftovers, doesn’t mean EVERY meal post-Thanksgiving has to be a huge indulgence. If you’re a fan of leftovers, portion them out accordingly (more protein and veggies, less carbs and sugar), so you can enjoy them without overeating.
Get moving. Exercise is not only great for burning off excess calories, but also provides an outlet to reduce stress. The build-up of stress leads to a strong desire to break from normal routines, sets up an all-or-nothing approach to healthy eating, and plays a big role in food overload during the holidays. Keep moving and try organizing a future holiday around activities, such as team sports, hiking, or bowling, that everyone can enjoy. If the weather outside isn’t accommodating to exercise, take advantage of these at-home workouts you can do in the convenience of your own living room!
Stay hydrated. Getting your daily dose of H2O is always key for weight loss and overall health. It’s helpful for cleansing your internal organs, boosting your metabolism, and yes, even working as an appetite suppressant. Check out these helpful tips for increasing your water intake and staying on track with your weight loss goals.
Draft a new game plan for the remainder of the holiday season. Holidays can present an excuse to step way off track from our goals, and it’s important to remember that regardless of the occasion, there will always be an excuse to overindulge. Be proactive and avoid sabotaging your weight loss efforts by identifying cues that trigger overeating, and then create a game plan to combat those cues. Simple ideas include choosing a smaller plate at parties, bringing your own snacks,
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