They call it “the holidays” for a reason: With Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s, there are at least five ways to celebrate in just two months.
This is the time of year that we like to get together with people we might not have seen in a while, eat super delicious food at one extra large meal, enjoy desserts, hors de ‘oeuvres, beer, wine, football, movies, naps, pumpkin pie and more. It can also be a frustrating time for people who have been working hard to lose or maintain their weight.
But I’m not going to tell you how to make your stuffing extra healthy or how to “just say no” to that extra slice of pie. I’m going to tell you how to enjoy, indulge — and get back on track.
These are my three easy steps to enjoying your holiday and not feeling bad about it:
1. Remember it’s a holiday, not a holiweek or a holimonth.
Ignoring this fact is the biggest setback I see among my clients during the holidays. They have no problem indulging in all the things they normally wouldn’t eat, or would only eat in moderation, and use that as an excuse to “fall off the wagon” for an entire week, month or the whole holiday season. This mentality almost always causes them to forget all the great progress they made up until Thanksgiving, and quickly puts them in a “ground zero” state of mind.
Top tip: Enjoy the day. Do you like stuffing? Pumpkin pie? Is your favorite thing about the Thanksgiving meal sweet potato casserole or those delicious buttery rolls? Decide what your favorite holiday foods are and enjoy them to the fullest. You won’t regain the 20 pounds you just lost in one meal, but it’s important to get back on track the very next day.
2. Set your intention to get back on track.
Take a moment to sit on your own today. Imagine your favorite holiday foods, how much you would love to have, how good they will taste and how the food will bring your family and friends together. These comfort foods, together with family and friends, are an important part of self-care. They can make you feel nurtured, warm and safe. Thanksgiving is the time to revel in those feelings. Then, set your intention to get back on track the very next day. Say it out loud: “I am pleased with what I have created in my life. Tomorrow is another new beginning.”
Top tip: The best way to get back on track is to have healthy options prepped and ready for Friday. If your Thanksgiving meal was more than you and your guests could eat, make sure you send everyone home with a plate or Tupperware filled with leftovers. Throw out foods that you know will be problematic for you, or make sure they get eaten on Thanksgiving or sent home with friends and family.
You can also use your leftovers to make healthy meals for the weekend. One of my favorites is throwing leftover Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry on a spinach salad that’s already prepped. You can even use leftover cranberry sauce in the dressing by mixing it with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and basil. The vinaigrette also works on top of roasted Brussels sprouts (or other veggies) that you’ve already chopped, prepared and stowed away in your refrigerator.
Even pie can become a healthier leftover. Since the crust of pumpkin pie is usually the most sugary, refined and calorie-dense part, I’ll often throw it out and scoop the filling into a Tupperware. Then, I’ll spread the filling on warm sprouted whole grain toast, topped with an egg and pinch of sea salt for breakfast. Pumpkin is very healthy and has lots of essential nutrients such as vitamin A and antioxidants. Experiment with the healthiest leftovers and how you can incorporate them into nutritious meals.
3. Control your stress levels.
The holidays can be extremely stressful. Shopping, cooking, family feuds, screaming kids and more can contribute to sleepless nights, weight gain and overall feelings of yuckiness. It’s easy to fall into the trap of extensive to-do lists, forgetting to eat (or eating fast food) and not having enough time to exercise. Stress can also contribute to weight gain because cortisol, the stress hormone, settles in belly fat and is some of the hardest stuff to get rid of. If you’re still seeing weight gain after a healthy Thanksgiving meal and your usual amount of exercise, cortisol is most likely the culprit.
Top tip: Remember to take time out for yourself every single day — something we can forget to do during a season that emphasizes giving and others’ well-being. Even if it’s only for five or 10 minutes, make sure you are doing something that is just for you, that slows you down, and that allows you to relax and center yourself. Giving your hormones time to balance and adjust can have significant effects on your well-being and help keep that extra weight gain at bay. For more of my tips on slowing down, click here.
So remember: It’s a holi day, set your intention to get back on track and control your stress levels. These three simple steps will allow you to not only indulge and enjoy your Thanksgiving meal, but will also help keep those extra pounds away. Whole Green You wishes you a happy, healthy Thanksgiving.
More from U.S. News
How to Have a Paleo Thanksgiving
Holiday Vices: How to Have Fun Without Overdoing It
How to Enjoy a Stress-Free Holiday
The Case for Thanksgiving Indulgences originally appeared on usnews.com
