The
next month will be packed with countless holiday events, all of which have one
thing in common – food. We kick the holiday season off on Thursday with the
greatest American feast of the year – Thanksgiving.
Once
you’ve made a commitment to live a healthy lifestyle, Thanksgiving day may seem
fraught with peril. Traditional meals are prepared with healthy doses of
butter, cream and sugar – everything you’re supposed to avoid when losing
weight, staying lean and building muscle.
There
are lots of healthier alternatives out there to butter-laden stuffing and
mashed potatoes – just do a quick Internet search and you’ll find loads of
options. But those only get you so far when you’re a guest of Aunt Betty’s, who
makes the world’s best pumpkin pie, and whose sour cream mashed potatoes are
world-renowned … Many people start to dread those dinners, worry about the
weight they might gain, and aren’t able to fully enjoy the holiday experience.
But don’t
make this mistake! Life is far too short
not to embrace these special occasions to the fullest. There isn’t a single
meal – no matter how rich or decadent – that will destroy your fitness plan, so
long as you plan ahead and don’t get bogged down in guilt. Here are three
simple steps that I plan to take, to make sure I enjoy this year’s Thanksgiving
dinner:
1) Put
a few calories in the bank. On Thanksgiving Day, enjoy a light breakfast and
lunch, keeping each under 350-400 calories. Then, once it’s time for the big
feast, you can enjoy the meal! I’ll have my usual breakfast, and then have my
Shakeology for lunch. Then I’ll be ready to enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal in
the evening.
2)
Portion control is key. People go wrong when they start piling on the seconds
and thirds. Take one plate and fill it with all the good stuff, but then stop
there. Dessert is ok, too – just pick the best looking dessert on the table and
enjoy (as opposed to sampling them all)!
3) No
guilt allowed – there’s no place for it on Thanksgiving if you otherwise follow a healthy
lifestyle. This is a holiday. It’s one meal. Enjoy it (in moderation), enjoy
the company, and embrace the day. Then tomorrow, hit your workout as usual,
resume your healthy eating plan and move forward.
Happy
Thanksgiving!
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