FITNESS FOCUSED THANKSGIVING:
7 PRACTICAL TIPS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS
November is here which means it’s time for one of the first major holidays of the season: Thanksgiving. While many look forward to Thanksgiving and all of the food and family time that comes with it, some also dread it. It is no secret that the holiday season is notorious for being a time where many gain extra weight, even if they are actively trying not to. In an effort to help you stick by your goals and give you a fitness focused Thanksgiving, our Kansas City wellness center has a few practical tips you will want to keep in mind as you head out for your holiday dinner.
1.) EAT BREAKFAST THE MORNING OF THANKSGIVING
All too often, one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to Thanksgiving day is that they forego eating breakfast. This is usually something done under the logic that they want to ‘save’ all their calories for the main meal. However, it is a much better practice to eat a small yet nutritious breakfast beforehand. Try a simple meal like a fried egg with a slice of whole wheat toast and a cup of seasonal fruit. This will give you some nourishment and help you to better pace yourself before the big feast.
2.) CHOOSE LIGHTER OPTIONS WHEN COOKING
While butter is a go-to staple of Thanksgiving, if you are wanting to stay fitness and health focused, it would be a better idea to cook with some lighter options. For example, you could swap out the full fat butter with a lower calorie option. When preparing the gravy, use fat free chicken or turkey broth instead. Try putting in greek yogurt or low fat sour cream into your mashed potatoes. If you have been tasked with bringing along a dessert, see what fat-free or sugar-free recipes you can find. While it might seem simple, these sort of alternatives can really make a huge difference when it comes to cutting calories this holiday season. Plus, your heart health will thank you!
3.) KEEP PORTION SIZES MANAGEABLE
It can be all too tempting to beeline for the buffet and fill up your plate with a little bit of everything. Once you do that, however, it can be really hard to manage all of the food and if you’re full, you might not be able to stop simply because you don’t want to be wasteful. In an effort to prevent this from happening, take a moment before you start adding things to your plate. Is there a dish you’ve been waiting all year to have again? What about a side that you’re comfortable with skipping? By selecting only the things you really want to eat, you can keep yourself on track to have a fitness focused Thanksgiving.
4.) SKIP THE SECONDS (BUT PACK THE TO-GO CONTAINERS!)
Going back for seconds or thirds might be a common occurrence on Thanksgiving day, but if you’re trying to stick to your health and fitness goals, this might be something you avoid. However, everyone knows that Thanksgiving food is always better the next day when eaten as leftovers, so make sure you bring your to-go containers! By doing this, you will be able to take your favorite foods home with you, especially if you weren’t the host, and give you something to look forward to the next day.
5.) ENJOY ALCOHOL IN MODERATION
Alcohol is a major source of empty calories, especially when consumed in excess. Wine, beer and the mixers used for mixed drinks, such as sodas and juices, have a lot of sugar and calories. While there is certainly nothing wrong with enjoying a glass of wine with your dinner, try to limit your overall alcohol intake throughout the course of the day. There are also many low calorie alternatives, such as spritzers or hard seltzers. You can also choose a lighter option from many beer brands as well. Just remember to pace yourself and drink water in between!
6.) TAKE TIME TO GET UP AND MOVE
As appealing as the idea of couch lock can be, if there is one thing that our Kansas City wellness center wants to remind you to do, it’s to get up and move. Don’t worry, we don’t expect you to get up and complete a full body workout after you get done doing the dinner dishes!
However, having realistic ways to get up and move your body will do you a lot of good. For example, you could leash up the family dog and go for a walk around the neighborhood. Or, if you have some sports fans in your group, grab a football and toss it around the front yard for a little while. Even these little efforts to stay upright and not give in to the food coma will prove to be very beneficial.
7.) GO EASY ON YOURSELF
One of the main takeaways for today is this: go easy on yourself. If you find yourself eating an extra piece of pie or putting another scoop of garlic cheesy potatoes on your plate, don’t beat yourself up. Thanksgiving only comes around once a year and it’s an occasion that should be enjoyed. One day isn’t going to make or break all of your hard work. However, just do your best to stay on track throughout the remainder of the holiday season. Major holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve all promote food, sweets and indulging. Take the time to figure out how to navigate these special occasions all while keeping your fitness goals in mind.
CHECK OUT WOODSIDE
This holiday season, don’t put your health and fitness goals on the back burner. Instead, stride head first into what you want to achieve by joining our Kansas City wellness center! Here at Woodside, you will have access to a wealth of great amenities that can help you stay on task. A state of the art fitness center, a robust group fitness schedule and a team of highly qualified and educated personal trainers are just naming a few. Contact us today to take a tour of our beautiful facility and see for yourself what kind of difference a Woodside membership can make for you!
