I’m the first one at the dinner table to indulge in mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, corn bread and of course turkey (and in some cases ham too). I work my tail off all year long as do many health conscious people across our great country. This is the time of year for reflection and celebration. A time to give more and be kinder to those around us.
Being thankful and extra thoughtful for a few months seems to come naturally to some during the months of November and December and FOOD is often the catalyst!
Just think about, co-workers and patrons bringing delicious treats into the work place for you. Desserts and high calorie food present in almost any place of business and certainly sitting on the kitchen counter at home. Leftovers for days and weeks. It’s impossible to avoid the stuff.
So don’t!
Okay, be smart about this and have a game plan. Don’t just throw caution to the wind. Like any good sports team, you need to do some homework and have a plan of attack.
Tip #1: The 10 minute rule
We’ve all heard this one before and guess what…it works! After you have ONE plate of food, STOP and give yourself 10 minutes before loading up the second plate. I promise you, that second plate will be smaller than had you immediately restocked after the initial consumption.
Tip #2: Drink water before you eat ANYTHING
This one is a no brainer and easily forgotten by many. A majority of the country is dehydrated on a regular basis. Instead of drinking water and recognizing our thirst indicators, we very quickly jump to food which satisfies both hunger and thirst. If you fill up on a large glass of water every hour or so and certainly just before a meal…you will do a much better job satiating the body. That translates to LESS superfluous calories at dinner time leaving you feeling more comfortable and less lethargic.
Tip #3: Workout Finishers
Exercise is critical in the effort to maintain a muscular build and keep the body revved up all day long. This can be done in less time than you might think. The 5-10 minute workout finisher can be extremely useful during a time of year when family, friends and celebration take center stage. Making time for working out is very hard and for some of us, nearly impossible. Enter the 10 minute (or less) workout. By doing a series of movements like push-ups, body weight squats, lunge patterns and planks, it is possible to burn off those extra calories AND hold on to that well-earned muscle you’ve been piling on all year long!
When it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas time, I’m ALL IN. I want to eat and drink with my close friends and relatives. I don’t want to miss out on the fun and enjoyment of home-cooked meals and hand-made desserts.
By plugging in the 3 BEST muscle saving and waist reducing tips, I can still look good on January 1st and have memories that will last for years to come.
