With Thanksgiving this week, and the start to the holiday eating, drinking, shopping, visiting, hosting, spending and unfortunately stressing, officially beginning, it is time to take a deep breath and hang on to not only savor the ride, but to come off (or out) of it feeling happy, healthy, terrific and only the better off from all of it.
As it gets harder and harder to get in your daily workouts, make sure you set some time aside for them. Maybe it’s only twice a week at the gym instead of 3 or 4 times…maybe it’s only a 30 minute (cranked up) workout, instead of an hour. Maybe yoga or Pilates is more effective and purposeful some days, than jumping up and down or treading for an hour. Try to find workouts that better not just your body, but also your soul. If time is really crunched or you find yourself away from your usual routine, WALK. Even 3 ten minute walks a day will help keep the holiday pounds away! As we travel together through the next 5 or 6 weeks, look at each one as they begin to unfold and find some time for YOU.
Knowing Thanksgiving will be a day of indulgence, let it be! I truly believe we all should have one day a week where we let ourselves enjoy the foods and libations we deprive ourselves of the rest of the week, anyway. In as much as we want to achieve and maintain our health and weight goals, we also need to enjoy holidays with our families and loved ones, WITHOUT feeling guilty about a serving (ok, or two) of stuffing or a piece of apple pie. If you are hosting the holiday, stock up (or ask your guests to bring) containers for leftovers. It will make waking up on Friday morning and getting back on track much easier.
Thinking ahead, preparing and MOVING will help us prevent that extra 7-10 pounds of holiday fat from finding a home on our hips, thighs, bellies and butts. We can do this. We can enjoy it all and still feel happy, healthy and terrific when we turn the calendar to 2012.