Many of us are still dealing with Halloween candy and now Thanksgiving is coming. It’s enough to take even the most-disciplined, die-hard exerciser off track.
In America, Thanksgiving dinner goes hand-in-hand with an all-out gorge fest until you’re about to burst. A retreat to the couch follows because you’re just too stuffed to move. It doesn’t have to be this way – everyone always regrets it afterwards. Remember last year’s moans and groans “Ugh, I shouldn’t have eaten the second helping of stuffing and sweet potatoes!”
This season, I’m going to help you be more proactive!
It’s estimated that the average American can consume 5000+ calories on Thanksgiving Day. Most people enjoy a bigger than usual breakfast, Thanksgiving meal and we can’t forget the left-overs later in the evening. Now if you were an Olympic Athlete this wouldn’t be too much of a problem but since the only activity most people do on Thanksgiving is the walk from the kitchen to the TV, Thanksgiving can wreak havoc on your health. Side note - perfect day for an early morning boot camp at home or with family!
Plan a Healthy Thanksgiving Meal:
Yes it will still taste great! If you’re in charge of dinner or helping to plan, keep these tips in mind:
• Schedule the meal earlier in the day. Thanksgiving dinner between 2:00-5:00 will allow some time for the body to digest the heavy meal before you hit the sack. Or do Thanksgiving the European way – schedule Thanksgiving as an all- day celebration and serve small dishes every hour or so. This seems so much healthier and civilized than mom busting her butt all day long preparing a meal that is consumed ravenously in 5 to 10 minutes. Spread the calories out throughout the day and you’ll be less likely to feel awful.
• Minimize the carb overload – Instead of preparing sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing and rolls choose only one or two of these dishes. It will save a ton of calories and you’ll feel less ‘stuffed!’ (pun intended!) I almost always save my carbs for dessert.
• If you are planning for guests who may be coming from all around the state; you may be a 2022 version of a “socially distanced” holiday, then while they are arriving, have a vegetable platter available for them to munch on
• Serve a delicious soup as the appetizer
• Serve a beautiful salad
• Serve two or three different types of vegetables at the table
• Use skim or semi-skim milk for all your recipes
• Serve water with dinner
You can have Dessert:
But before dessert is served, go for a beautiful walk around the neighborhood. Or plan some fun activities while you allow your body to process the meal. For example, plan a fun game of charades with the family or pull out the holiday decorations and have the family help get your house looking festive. Or maybe burn MORE calories by raking some leaves.
Get your Workout in!!:
Get in a quick workout or take a run, walk or bike ride around the neighborhood. It doesn’t have to be a full hour either; if you don’t have the time just go hard and strong for a quick 20 mins (check out the Turkey Burn workout). Coach Mike and I always plan a workout during our stay up north before our larger caloric intake so our bodies are more apt to use the extra calories. If you’ve got family visiting, do it first thing in the morning before people wake-up. A workout will actually make you feel better and help to suppress your appetite so you’re less likely to overeat. And consider ramping up your workouts over the next week so you’re expending a little more energy in anticipation of the increased caloric intake on Thursday 11/24.
You can still enjoy a wonderful dinner and atmosphere without having everyone feeling bloated and horrible for the rest of the evening and suffering a Thanksgiving hangover the next day!
Forward this email to everyone who is celebrating Thanksgiving this year so you’re all on the same page!
Enjoy!