Have you picked out your Thanksgiving outfit yet? The comfort or style question is one we definitely battle with every year; that fancy pair of slacks always looks good on the hanger, but the longing for an elasticated waistband after dinner is REAL! The good news is you can enjoy your holiday feast without waving goodbye to your health and wellness goals… and we’re here to show you how.
1. Add Some Activity to Your Day
Thanksgiving usually involves lots of lounging about without a lot of moving around! So why not start the day with a workout or a morning walk. If you’re up for it, join a Turkey Trot!
If the weather’s on your side after dinner, set up some outdoor games for the family to enjoy and it won’t take long to burn off all those calories and give yourself a second burst of energy for the rest of the day.
2. Play with Ingredient Swaps
Traditional dishes are full of flavor but guess what else they’re full of… unwanted calories! If you want to make things a bit healthier, there are a few simple ingredient swaps that can save the day. Try applesauce or cooking spray instead of oils and butters, or swap whole eggs for egg whites. Get creative with multigrain or whole-wheat substitutes for refined flour, and toss in oats instead of breadcrumbs. Lighten up with low-fat dairy options and swap out heavy creams for skim milk. And when it comes to desserts, try fresh fruits instead of sugar-laden alternatives. With these simple swaps, you can keep things yummy AND stick to your wellness goals.
3. Master the Art of Portion Control
If you grew up in one of those families where “seconds and thirds” were a given, then you know what a difference portion control can make! A great trick is to grab a smaller plate, drink some water before digging in, and eat slowly so you have a chance to realize when you’re full. You can still add all your favorites to your plate, but moderation is key. So you can have your cake and eat it too (figuratively speaking!).
4. Prioritize Some ZZZs!
U.S. adults lose an average of 11 minutes and 14 seconds of sleep every Thanksgiving with a survey citing stress and anxiety as the primary culprits of disrupted snooze time. If this sounds familiar, try these tips for a peaceful slumber:
- Create a Relaxing Pre-Sleep Ritual: Having a wind-down routine before bedtime helps to signal to your body that it’s time for sleep. Try reading a book, taking a warm bath, practicing some relaxation exercises, or listening to calming music. And don’t forget to put away your phone and laptop at least an hour before bedtime.
- Optimize Your Sleep Environment: It’s important to make your bedroom somewhere you want to be! A cool, quiet, and dark room is key, and make sure to invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows. If noise is an issue, get some earplugs or download a white noise app, and consider blackout curtains if it’s too bright outside. Also, put your phone on sleep mode so that your sleep isn’t disrupted throughout the night. If you’re still finding it difficult to sleep, we recommend adding our natural Fast Asleep supplement to your routine to help you get back into a healthy sleep pattern.
5. Prevent that Post-Thanksgiving Slump!
The week after Thanksgiving can feel a lot like Christmas week, you’re mentally and physically tired, sluggish, bloated, and it can be tough to get back into the swing of things. BUT it doesn’t have to be that way! With a bit of extra post-Thanksgiving TLC you can enjoy the holiday without suffering later. Our Super Greens shake is a great add-on during this week to speed up your digestion and give you that extra energy boost you need after the festivities!
Most Importantly, Enjoy Your Holiday!
Whilst staying healthy over the holiday is important, don’t forget that it’s a celebration and not a calorie-counting competition! It’s just as important to enjoy this time with family, sharing yummy food and conversation, having fun, and creating memories to last a lifetime. Sticking to your health and wellness goals doesn’t mean sacrificing all of the things that make Thanksgiving great, it’s just about tweaking your experience a little so that your body thanks you for it too!