This week is Thanksgiving week, and it marks the beginning of the holidays. There’s so much to be thankful, and Thanksgiving Day is a time for us to gather and give thanks. It’s also the start of the season where we gather on many occasions to celebrate. And celebration usually means gluttony. Yikes! We all do it….we partake in too many sweets, too many delicious dishes, and too many cheers. Then it hits us. The following day (or even later that night), we feel bloated, tired, and blah.
Yet, it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little thought and a little proper planning, we can get through turkey day and all of the holiday festivities without the guilt, fatigue, and bah-humbugs.
Eat before you go
Try and eat before you leave the house. That way you can ensure that I have eaten something filling and healthy beforehand, especially if you can’t find any foods at your destination that you’ll eat. Also, by filling up on healthy foods before you go, you’re less likely to reach for the unhealthy foods or over-indulge. And don’t skip meals! Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast and eat every 3-4 hours.
Take a healthy dish (or 2) to share
If it’s a potluck, I always take a healthier version of a favorite dish. No one is usually the wiser, and I know that there will be something for me and my family to eat. My favorite dish to take is sweet potatoes! I either cube them and roast in the oven with a little olive oil, pink Himalayan salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; or I roast the whole potato, mash them with a little grass-fed butter or Earth Balance (vegan butter), salt, cinnamon an nutmeg. So yummy!
Keep spirits to a minimum
The holidays are about celebrating and who doesn’t enjoy a glass of wine or two. Be sure to stop there! Alcohol depletes your much needed B vitamins (much needed to combat stress!), is toxic to your brain (& the rest of your body) and slows down your metabolism. Keep it simple with red wine or a beer. Remember to eat before you drink (a healthy fiber, protein & fat to balance your blood sugar) and stay hydrated.
Make family and friends your focus
The holidays are about giving and our family and friends. Food usually takes center stage during the holidays, but shift your focus onto the people and celebration and not the food.
Fill up on veggies, lean protein, whole grains first
I look for the veggies and whole grains (brown rice or quinoa..actually a seed but in the grain category:)) for myself, and for my kids, I look for lean protein in addition to veggies and whole grains. And not the veggies covered in sauce!
Use a smaller plate, if possible
I’ve incorporated this little trick in my house and no one is the wiser:). By using a smaller plate, you’ll put less food on it and in turn, eat less.
It’s okay to taste the not-so-healthy foods
Don’t deprive yourself! Go ahead and taste your favorite not so-health-foods. If you deprive yourself, you’re more likely to over-indulge. A little taste here and there won’t ruin it all for you. Just remember to keep it at a taste:).
Stay active
It’s easy to take a lot of breaks during the holidays, but it’s important to keep moving. Exercise is not only important for cardiovascular health and to boost your mood, but it helps maintain weight loss too. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Try taking a 30 minute brisk walk, going on a hike or, my kids favorite, ice skating!
Get plenty of sleep
With all the festivities, it’s easy to put sleep on the back burner. The holidays can be tiresome and stressful, and getting sufficient amount of sleep is essential to good health (& a good mood!). You’re more likely to gain weight too if you’re sleep deprived. Take some time before bed to create a sleeping ritual to help prepare your body for good night’s sleep. I take about an hour to prepare for bed and sleep on average about 7-8 hours a night.
Take your supplements (and take them with you!)
The holidays are no reason to slack off this important foundation of good health. My basic recommendations are a good multivitamin and mineral supplement, fish oil, vitamin C, vitamin D and a probotic. I’ll also take digestive enzymes if I’m eating a particularly heavier meal than usual to help break it all down.
Keep a journal
As you know, the holidays can be very stressful. But did you know that journaling can not only help your stress levels but it can also help you lose weight? Keep a journal with you and write down everything—not only your feelings and experiences, but what you eat at each meal and your daily exercise. Writing everything down can help you keep on track.
Keep stress in it’s place
The time between Thanksgiving and New Years can be a stressful time. Be sure to take time out for yourself. Try a relaxing bath with epsom salts and lavender essential oil or snuggling with a blanket and a good book. My favorite stress buster is 10-15 minutes of meditation. Fitting meditation into my schedule each day helps me feel grounded.
oxo,
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