Turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie...holiday weight gain is practically a national sport. Wouldn't it be wonderful if this blessed bingeing session (for once) didn't wreck your waistline woes? Enjoying Thanksgiving doesn't mean unavoidable weight gain! Put in some planning time, learn to reframe your attitude towards the Thanksgiving foods themselves, and you're headed for more Holiday enjoyment and less Holiday overloading.
1 Go easy on the calories the week before. The great thing about the holidays is you know exactly when they're coming. They're not like that surprise pot of queso your friend brought over that one night that you accidentally devoured all by yourself after a regrettable bottle and a half of wine. So do your worries a favor and cut back the week before. It'll make the food on Turkey Day that much more delicious!
We're not advocating dieting, per se. What we are saying is skip the dessert, don't spent the afternoon baking, or let your froyo coupon expire. When you go out for a meal, box up half before you even begin. Make little strides you wouldn't otherwise make. Thanksgiving isn't about losing weight -- it's about not gaining it
2
Put treats out of sight. When our kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, and, let's be honest, bedrooms are littered with cakes, cookies, and sweet, sweet munchies, it'd take a robot not to succumb to the deliciousness. When peppermint brownies, gingerbread, and toffee is within arm's reach, no one is going to blame you for going over to the dark side. Since it'd be ridiculous to suggest you throw them out, the best thing you can do is to put them in a non-transparent container and in the cupboard. Out of sight, out of mind. It actually works!
When we're staring at a table full of treats, all hope goes out the window. But when they're there but not seen, we're capable of forgetting that they're there (most of the time) and thus can avoid the absent-minded munchie grab. Do yourself a favor and pack 'em away before you don't realize you're on your fifth mint chocolate cupcake.
3
Schedule your workouts. When our schedules get jam packed (which normally happens during the holidays), exercise is usually the first to go. The gym changes hours, we end up traveling, family obligations magnify tenfold -- whatever the cause, we succumb to the demands of our schedules and end up doing a lot more sitting, waiting, and eating than we intended. Instead of letting your schedule rule you, rule it.
Call up your gym and find out their new hours. Wake up 30 minutes earlier to squeeze in a 20-minute morning workout. Only do your holiday shopping after you've had a session with the treadmill. When you make it a priority, it's a lot easier to stick to.
4
Reduce stress. Most of us are running around like chickens with our heads cut off this time of year. The increase in our stress levels actually leads to more cortisol being produced, which can lead to weight gain.[1] And you thought it was only the dinner rolls!
Take some time to do some warm-ups and stretching in the morning or squeeze in a yoga session whenever possible. Take 10 minutes of me-time when you're sitting at your desk at work. Whatever would give you that zen, do it. Your waistline won't know to thank you, but the numbers will (or won't!) prove it later.
5
Keep warm. When our bodies get cold, all we want to do is huddle up in the corner under a blanket, rocking ourselves until the freeze passes. Maybe grabbing a hot toddy or two. To avoid this physical stagnation, keep warm! Turn the heat up in the house, throw on an extra sweater, but above all -- keep moving. And you know what moving does? Burns calories!
When our muscles stay warm and relaxed, it's a lot easier to opt for that workout. So run around your house a bit every so often. That evening workout may not seem so totally not doable anymore.
