Thanksgiving Day is one of the few Holidays where instead of strapping on our Fitbit, we slide into our comfy pants with the elastic waistband. It’s a time that brings family and friends together to reconnect with each other and disconnect from the everyday expectations of life. A day to reminisce on the good ‘ol days and express gratitude for the ones we love. What better way to express this gratitude than around a table full of food. After all, food makes us happy.
While we prepare to indulge in foods most of us attempt to avoid throughout the rest of the year, it’s not a bad idea to try to at least implement one food or fitness related action to keep your energy high, your mood bright and keep the sluggishness at bay. To keep you motivated and inspired we’ve come up with 5 tips to assist with staving off the carb coma and avoid any guilt that tends to come in the aftermath of this Holiday season. After all, Thanksgiving is about expressing gratitude and who wants to feel guilty about that.
Who knows, maybe some of these ideas will begin a new Thanksgiving Day tradition with your family.
Trot Off That Turkey!
Most cities have some sort of Turkey Trot 5K race on Thanksgiving Day. Getting up and going for a short run or brisk walk in the crisp, cool, fall air is a great way to get your body primed and ready for the feast later in the day. Not to mention it is helps get your metabolism going with plenty of time to burn off any extra calories you’ll be adding. It’s also a great way to bond with family members and bring a little healthy competition to inspire and motivate each other.
What’s Your Namaste
If running isn’t your style, roll out the yoga mats and pop in a Yoga DVD if you don’t already have a consistent practice. Yoga isn’t just for stretching and flexibility. It also has many other health benefits such as helping our internal organs detox and all those twists and turns, down dogs and cat stretches can assist with digestion. Something that will benefit us after we stuff ourselves with our favorite foods and delicious treats.
Walk It Off
Taking a long walk around the neighborhood catching up with your loved ones before or after the family feast is a great way to get your body moving, the blood flowing and increase your energy levels. Not to mention a wonderful way to reconnect and bond. If you’re an overachiever, a nice long walk before and after your meal would be a great way to assist with burning off those extra calories that comes from eating lots of yummy, high carb foods and sweet treats and keep that all to well-known sluggishness from creeping in.
Clean Eats
If you’re the type that likes to take the day off from your fitness routine for Thanksgiving, there are other options that can still keep you from those feelings of guilt that all too often come with indulgence. Another great way to keep those foods from devastating our waistlines is to check out some awesome recipes on Pinterest that incorporate healthier organic or natural ingredient alternatives that add a new twist to an old recipe. Incorporating “cleaner” ingredients into your favorite dishes lessens the burden on your organs when they are working to process what you just ate and eliminate toxins. The cleaner the ingredients the less impact they will have on your waistline and not to mention your mood and energy levels. So whenever possible, go organic and use natural sugars and cleaner less processed ingredients.
Sweat The Sweets
If you don’t have time to fit any of the above in since you’re the one doing all the cooking, if you have a sauna available to you, doing a 30 minute sauna session to get a good sweat going before you start your day is a great way to sweat out any toxins and get your energy levels up. If a sauna isn’t available to you, and you’re unable to incorporate any of the above options, the best way to approach the Thanksgiving Holiday is to use balance. Try to eat at least as many fresh veggies as you do carbs and sweets.
Pay close attention to your mind-body connection. It doesn’t feel good to deprive yourself, and it doesn’t feel good to be stuffed and sluggish, so make choices that allow you to feel both satisfied and energized simultaneously. This balance feels just right, both mentally and physically, and it’s freeing to make choices motivated by feeling well, rather than numbers, rules, shoulds, or guilt!
Being healthy and fit isn’t about depriving yourself from the foods you enjoy and it isn’t about guilt and punishment. It’s about loving your body and giving it what it needs to help you feel and live the best version of yourself. Holidays allow us much needed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. They allow necessary time to reconnect with ourselves and those we love. On this most important of Holidays that reminds us to be grateful for the lives we live, also remember to be grateful for your health and your ability to move your body and do something the expresses that gratitude. In the same way you give your loved ones hugs and kisses when you see them again, don’t forget to give that same love and attention to your body. Be grateful for your body and it will be grateful to you. Be blessed!!
Have a Healthy & Happy Thanksgiving!
Angel
PS- Keep an eye out for our MASSIVE SALE going live this Thursday! Save up to 50% off on products & services to help crush your health & fitness goals!
