My Plan for Getting Through the Holidays Without Gaining Weight

We are spending Thanksgiving week at my sister's in Philadelphia and the food here is always amazing!!  She is a great cook plus we always end up at some fantastic restaurants!  And than there is Thanksgiving!  So here's the thing I have a plan for the week so I can enjoy some great food, navigate my way successfully through Thanksgiving day and return home at the end of the week knowing I stayed on track.

It is really important to remember Thanksgiving is ONE day, ONE meal and with a little advance planning you can enjoy the day feeling happy, satisfied and comfortable!

Here is my plan and tips:

• Keep to your workout schedule! Even do some double workouts for a few days this week.  My workouts are typically 25-30 minutes long so pushing up to an hour for a few days isn't a deal breaker plus with some travel days in there I don't want to skip the other days. Exercise gives me a little wiggle room to enjoy some goodies this week and it just makes you feel better - more energized and happier and lessens the stress so whey not?!
• Continue to drink Shakeology this week.  It helps reduce cravings, keeps me satisfied and it ensures I am getting good nutrition especially with traveling!  It's one meal guaranteed to be completely healthy!
• Staying hydrated!!  Drink lots of water.  It gives you that full feeling.  And when you feel hungry first drink a glass of water and you may not have that hungry feeling anymore.  Plus if you are traveling it's important to stay well hydrated.
• Pack snacks or have healthy snacks on hand at all times.  This is crucial if you are traveling.  I always get hungry when I travel so I make sure to pack lots of snacks and with 3 teenagers I am always tossing them a bar or piece of fruit.  My go to snacks in my purse are KIND bars, hard boiled eggs, apples, grapes, hummus and pretzels or carrots, peanut butter single serving packets, Chaboni greek yogurt, multi grain crackers, cheese and almonds.
• Grab your favorite family member and take a walk on Thanksgiving Day.  The best conversations can happen on a walk plus it feels so good to walk off your meal or getting some fresh air before the big meal.
• Talk a lot during the meal.  It slows your eating and you will be less likely to go back for seconds.  
• NO seconds!  :)
• Limit alcohol.  Enjoy a glass of wine, beer or a cocktail but then move to bubble water with lemon or a splash of fruit juice.  You will feel so much better the next day!
• Choose what goes on your plate wisely.  When you are surrounded by so many yummy things stick to the things you love and skip the other things.  I like mashed potatoes but I LOVE stuffing so I will opt for the stuffing and maybe just have a taste of mashed potatoes.  It's about making choices.
• Invoke the 3 Bite Rule especially for deserts.  You still get to enjoy a sweet treat but limit it to 3 bites that way you get to taste and enjoy without doing any serious damage  :)

Remember ONE day, ONE meal will not set you back BUT one week of over indulging will!  Choose wisely, everything in moderation.  Don't let Thanksgiving week be your excuse to not eat healthy and not exercise!!  :)

And make sure you have a plan for the week after Thanksgiving.  Getting back to your routine or getting on a routine as quickly as possible will set you up for success the entire upcoming holiday season!!  Make it a healthy Thanksgiving week!! :)