People eat on Thanksgiving; it’s just what they do. Some people only eat until they are slightly full, while others eat until they can’t move. Overeating on Thanksgiving can be attributed to two causes: 1) People use the holidays as an excuse to eat more than they ever do the rest of the year 2) People stress eat because dealing with family and making sure everything goes according to plan can be a lot to handle.
What a lot of people don’t realize is that Thanksgiving is just the tip of the iceberg. The Thanksgiving meal propels you into poor eating habits up until the New year. Then a lot of people rely on New Year’s resolutions to lose the weight that they put on during the holidays. The reality is that most people don’t fulfill their New Year’s resolutions and the weight stays with them. The cycle repeats the next year. This year, however, let’s try to take a few actions during Thanksgiving to help you avoid holiday weight gain.
Walk Around And Talk To People
Thanksgiving is a celebration of being together with people you care about. You may only see some of these people once or twice a year, so make the most of it. Instead of stuffing your face every waking second of dinner, walk around and catch up with family. Keeping yourself occupied will distract you from eating too much.
Plan A Post-Meal Walk
If you have a dog, it makes it much easier to go for a short walk after Thanksgiving. After you finish eating, make an announcement about your walk. Some of your friends or family will be inclined to join you. A quick 20-minute walk will help to improve the digestive process and speed up your metabolism. Additionally, it’ll jumpstart your effort to burning off some of the calories you consumed.
Help With The Clean Up
If you sit around while others are cleaning up, you will most likely go for another round of food or help yourself to more dessert options. You may even just walk around and pick at random dishes, which is not conducive to your health. Helping with the cleanup process is not only a courteous thing to do, it is also a great way to stop eating and burn calories. Scrubbing dishes is going to be the new workout, just watch.
Stop Eating When You Are Full
This is an obvious tip, but it is necessary nonetheless. The meal is not over when you hate yourself; rather, the meal is over when you feel full. Some people ignore this feeling, pushing past the point of no return, ending up immobile on the couch in a food coma. Think of Thanksgiving as any other day. The more you eat, the more you set yourself back from your health goals. Don’t overdo it!
Plan A Workout Date The Next Morning
We know that most people love to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving, but you should schedule a fitness date. Not only will working out help you feel less bloated, but it will also help to boost your energy levels. Making plans with a family member or friend is a great way to keep you committed to the plan. You don’t have to go to a gym because a walking date, at-home workout, or bike ride can be just beneficial for your health. Consider trying a new class with family members!
