Dear Fun and Fit:
I have been fairly diligent all year about exercising and eating healthfully. And now the holidays are creeping up faster than my heart rate monitor. How do I stay trimmer than a decorated tree and less stuffed than a turkey come Thanksgiving?
I’m Every Woman (and man), anywhere in the US
You Wouldn't Want This the Other 364 Days, so Why Eat It Now?
Kymberly: I love the holidays; I also love holiday food; but I hate getting lethargic and overstuffed, just because more food and family than usual are around. Is this the time to say, do not gobble gobble gobble up everything you see before you?
Alexandra: Drink lots of water and green tea before the feast. You will feel full and less inclined to overeat.
K: Eat your usual breakfast and lunch. Don’t skip a meal thinking you will then be free to make up for lost calories later when the “good stuff” your favorite auntie brought comes out. Inevitably you will be so hungry come THE meal that you will overeat or choose whatever is closest.
A: Categorize foods into 1) love and will eat seconds 2) like and will take a little just once 3) don’t need to eat at all. This kind of planning will help you make plate choices and make you more conscious of those choices. Paying attention has a definite effect on how much you pile on that plate.
K: Get up from the table when done. Do not sit with food in front of you calling your name á la “Little Shop of Horrors.” And don’t leave food just sitting out. You can end up eating an entire meal’s worth just from picking at the stuff that’s in front of you. Put it away right after the meal (or at least as soon as is politely possible). Your guests will actually probably thank you. Ok, maybe thank you.
A: If you’re a person who likes to talk to herself (like I do), just ask yourself this when you’re filling your plate, “Am I choosing this because I’m hungry or because it tastes good?” We aren’t here to say you “shouldn’t” this or “should” that, but the awareness is quite helpful.
K: Why not go for a walk? What better way to spend quality time with your favorite rellies or friends than by putting on a jacket and getting outside? No stuffing holiday snackerels into your pocket on that walk, either!
A: I hate to admit it, but I take Kymberly’s advice. Every year my “baking” sister (NOT K) and I get up early and go for a walk, just the two of us. We get some girl-talk time (we love to discuss recipes) before we both get in the kitchen for the cooking chaos!
Readers: What tips do you have to share?
Photo credits: Creative Commons: David Boyle
Great tips! Love the part about following your breakfast and lunch. I also like the tradition of walking pre or post meal!
I try to fill my plate to the Nutritional guidelines too. Lots of veggies, then protein, then grains.
Emily faliLV recently posted..The Day Kermit the Frog Made Jason Segel Cry | #Muppets Interview with Jason Segel and Nick Stoller
Emily, you are one smart Cookie Monster! Er, that’s about it for my Muppet humor! But your system is definitely a smart one for eating!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..4 More Useless Exercises
You hit them all. I think I categorize my foods as I dole them out on my plate. Decent size piece of turkey. Lots of vegies. Small spoonfuls of mashed potatoes w/gravy and stuffing. But I absolutely save room for a GOOD-sized piece of pumpkin pie. No slivers! I only eat it once a year so it has to satisfy me in every way. A sliver would have me eating more later that night and into the weekend! A nice piece makes me content!
Kathleen recently posted..Why you need to change your workout
Which is exactly why you are such a good role model. You live a realistic life that isn’t about punishment and guilt; merely about the best choices for YOU!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Exercise Your Right to a Better Brain
I like the part about talking to yourself, since I personally never shut up, so I talk to myself a lot. My biggest food fear around Thanksgiving is the “letting go” feeling, because it’s been hard to get back on track. On the other hand, if I only get sausage stuffing once a year, I REALLY want that sausage stuffing.
Life Lessons recently posted..Defending Your (Kid’s) Life: The IEP
Those are great tips, thanks!! My only tip is, remember how good Thanksgiving left overs are too
Hanan recently posted..Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! It’s Time to Dance!