Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to be with family and remember all that we are grateful for. It's is also one of the biggest eat-fests...EVER!
It is SO easy to just completely fall off the wagon and enjoy all that turkey (or Tofurky), stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, candied yams, sweet potato pie, pumpkin pie, cookies...and everything else that goes with it (including a beverage or two!). You can feel the pounds coming back on just thinking about it!
Well I'm here to tell you that there's nothing to fear! You can still enjoy the Thanksgiving Feast with Aunt Hilda, Uncle Bob, and the entire clan without wrecking your diet. Here's how...
It is SO easy to just completely fall off the wagon and enjoy all that turkey (or Tofurky), stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, candied yams, sweet potato pie, pumpkin pie, cookies...and everything else that goes with it (including a beverage or two!). You can feel the pounds coming back on just thinking about it!
Well I'm here to tell you that there's nothing to fear! You can still enjoy the Thanksgiving Feast with Aunt Hilda, Uncle Bob, and the entire clan without wrecking your diet. Here's how...
Get Your Workout Done in the AM
Be sure to get your scheduled workout in. Besides the obvious reasons for working out, you'll feel less guilty about enjoying some of those holiday goodies. If possible, try to get in a good 30-minute lower body workout on Turkey Day. You'll be working the largest muscles in your body, which will boost your metabolism and help burn off some of those calories consumed when eating that turkey leg.
Eat a Good, Protein-Rich Brekkie
Protein will keep you satiated longer than having pancakes, cereal, or scones and you'll be less likely to want to graze on the sweets later on. Have a 2-egg omelet with low-fat mozzarella cheese and baby spinach.
Water, Water, WATER!
Stay on track with drinking 3 liters to 1 gallon of water...more if you plan on drinking alcohol and/or caffeine. It will also help flush out the sodium that you will be consuming throughout the day and help you feel less bloated.
Eat Smaller Portions During the Meal
When you head over to the buffet or pass around the serving plates, just take a small portion of your favorite dishes. Plan on about 4 ounces (about the size of a deck of playing cards) of turkey...preferably white meat instead of the fattier dark meat.
Rather than having both mashed potatoes and stuffing, pick one or the other; however if you must have both, serve yourself about 1/4 cup or so of each. You can have a little bit of cranberry sauce, but no more than 2 tablespoons, just so you can enjoy a little sweet. But skip the roll and the sweet potato casserole altogether...save the carb intake for the pumpkin pie! :-)
As for the gravy: about 3 tablespoons poured over the meat, stuffing, and potatoes should be more than enough.
DO stock up on the veg, but try to avoid the ones that are in cream sauces, mixed with loads of butter, etc. Roasted veggies are your best bet. If there is salad, pile it on! Just make sure you use 2 tablespoons of a vinaigrette dressing instead of 1000 island or ranch.
***Remember this, too: Just because it's on your plate, doesn't mean you have to eat it all. There's no need to join the Clean Plate Club on Thanksgiving. If you can't finish all of it...DON'T!***
Rather than having both mashed potatoes and stuffing, pick one or the other; however if you must have both, serve yourself about 1/4 cup or so of each. You can have a little bit of cranberry sauce, but no more than 2 tablespoons, just so you can enjoy a little sweet. But skip the roll and the sweet potato casserole altogether...save the carb intake for the pumpkin pie! :-)
As for the gravy: about 3 tablespoons poured over the meat, stuffing, and potatoes should be more than enough.
DO stock up on the veg, but try to avoid the ones that are in cream sauces, mixed with loads of butter, etc. Roasted veggies are your best bet. If there is salad, pile it on! Just make sure you use 2 tablespoons of a vinaigrette dressing instead of 1000 island or ranch.
***Remember this, too: Just because it's on your plate, doesn't mean you have to eat it all. There's no need to join the Clean Plate Club on Thanksgiving. If you can't finish all of it...DON'T!***
Wine or Beer?
At only 4g of carbs per 5 ounces, wine (red or white) is the preferred choice over the much higher 13g of carbs in a 12 ounce can of beer. Because...dessert.
And Then There's Pie...
Yes, yes, YES...you CAN have pie (WOOHOO!!!)! Just opt for a 1/8 slice of the healthier pumpkin or sweet potato over the chocolate cream and pecan pies.
If You Completely Fall Off the Healthy Wagon
Hey, I get it...we are ALL human. Sometimes you just HAVE to have seconds, and thirds...and elevenses.
Don't get all down on yourself and completely put the kibosh on your health and fitness goals entirely. Just accept what happened, forgive yourself, and get back on track on Friday.
Don't get all down on yourself and completely put the kibosh on your health and fitness goals entirely. Just accept what happened, forgive yourself, and get back on track on Friday.
I hope you find these tips helpful. Feel free to share this with someone you care about.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!