Good morning! For those of you celebrating Thanksgiving this week, it’s totally normal to worry about how you’re going to maintain your weight over the holiday—and as we move through the holiday season. Along with holiday traffic and difficult family members, the number on the scale is one of the most common things people worry about this time of year. I originally wrote about this topic for Rise back in 2014, but it’s just as relevant now. There’s good news, though! It’s totally possible to maintain your weight during the holidays! Here are a few of my go-to tips and tricks.
1. Start your day with protein. Skipping breakfast will only make you more prone to overeating at dinner (not to mention hangry AF). Try a high-protein, high-fiber breakfast like Greek yogurt with chia seeds and berries or a veggie-filled omelet. If you’re going the oatmeal route, just make sure you include some protein like nut butter or cook into some egg whites (here’s how).
2. Do something active. Whether you start your day with a walk, a sweaty yoga class, or a local race, getting your blood pumping will give you a great endorphin boost while you burn calories. Doing something good for you that makes you feel good will help you stick to your other health goals.
3. Have a plan. Decide before you sit down to eat which foods you’re excited to eat and make room for them. For example, if you’re all about the meat but don’t care about mashed potatoes, skip the tots. Just because it’s there doesn’t mean you have to eat it. Can’t decide between cake and pie? Make a plate and share dessert with a family member. Having some guidelines to fall back on help you stay grounded instead of stressed.
4. Stick to one plate. Be selective about what you put on it, don’t deprive yourself. Enjoy the foods you’re stoked to eat savor them. Know that once the meal is over, you can move on with your life, food-guilt-free.
5. Go easy on the alcohol. Aside from lowering your inhibitions and providing empty calories, booze can also give you a nasty hangover—far from helpful for those post-holiday shopping excursions. For my younger readers who don’t know what I’m talking about, bless you. Decide in advance how many alcoholic beverages you plan to drink and alternate with water.
If you’re staying with family for several days, these tips can get you through the weekend with your sanity and self-confidence intact. If you do indulge more than you intended to, resist the urge to beat yourself about it. Instead, take a deep breath, focus on how satisfying the treat was, and go on with the day. Thanksgiving is a time to pause and take stock of what you’re grateful for, so give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for all the hard work so far—and get excited for the stellar results you’re working towards!
What are your healthy-living priorities during the holiday season?
PS-Speaking of post-holiday shopping excursions, if you’d rather stay home with your family, there are lots of great online sales to take advantage of. I personally love doing my holiday shopping online because large crowds of people trying to buy stuff makes me anxious. One of my go-to spots, ModCloth, is at the top of my list. They actually have a good sale starting a few days early, in case you need some pre-holiday retail therapy. You can get 40% off your order of $200 or more by using the code FRIDAY40 11/23 through 11/26.
**Just as an FYI, this is an affiliate link, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through it. I have a strict policy about only posting these types of links for products and services I love and would recommend anyway, but I always want to make sure I’m being upfront & honest with you guys!