Hydrate. Be sure to drink plenty of water to combat the saltiness of the big meal. Slow down during appetizer hour(s) by keeping a wine glass of sparkling water with fruit in your hand. Shrimp cocktail is 0 WW Smartpoints and is a great protein source to keep you satisfied. Hummus is a nice choice instead of cheese. Grapes and popcorn keep your hands busy for lots of volume yet little calories.
Get active!! Burning an extra couple hundred calories Thanksgiving morning never hurts and can increase your fat burning for the whole day (even while you sleep!) There are super fun Turkey Trot 5k races all over the place, or Zumba and Boot Camps at local studios with special drop in rates! Even a 15 minute walk can get your mind in the space of wellness, and out of the kitchen, and helps prevent overeating. Click here for my favorite indoor 10 minute walk workout on YouTube.
Be thankful.Thank your heart for pumping healthy blood to keep you going. Thank your legs for allowing you to enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Many people will wake up on Thanksgiving and only dream of enjoying the things you can. You are more likely to treat your body like a gift instead of a trash can if you honor its purpose. My dad has read this Dear Abby Thanksgiving Prayer every year since I can remember to help us remember how lucky we are.
Meal prep! There are 6 other days in the week. Focus on eating well on those days. Veggies. Lean meats. Fruits. Try to avoid added sugar. One slice of pumpkin pie has a whole day’s worth of grams of sugar. Eat a protein packed, healthy breakfast on Thanksgiving to avoid a binge and crash later on. Click here for my Zero Points Chicken Fajita Soup (takes about 40 minutes in the InstantPot!) to help the rest of the week go smooth!
Practice mindfulness. Ask yourself, “What is it I truly want?” Can you have boxed mashed potatoes any other day of the year? Or are these Grandma’s special homemade ones? Do you want a huge scoop of that delicious once a year stuffing, or will you be too full from snacking? Can you bounce back after a cheat meal? Or does it turn into a downward spiral? Do you mind entering 2019 a few pounds heavier? If so, go all out! But if you’ve worked too dang hard to ruin your progress, just treat the day like any other. Practice balance.
Hop Back on the wagon. Friday morning you may be off to hit the shops (Charge those Fitbits!) Maybe you're having leftover pie for breakfast. I am! Have a nice cup of detox tea or treat yourself to a green smoothie on the go. While these drinks can't "undo" a whole day of deliciousness, they offer a placebo effect of "starting fresh" and getting back on track. Chug the water. Get a workout in and get off the couch. Over the weekend, spend some time in the kitchen prepping for the week ahead. Chop up some fruit and boil some eggs for quick and easy snacks!
Above all else, GIVE THANKS for your health and have fun!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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