With Thanksgiving just days away, it is time to start planning your exercise and food choices TODAY. Yes, I said today. I find that by planning workouts and thinking about food ahead, I’m much less likely to miss workouts and go crazy with food. With the holidays bringing yummy foods and traditions that revolve around food, I find it best not to restrict myself from having foods I really enjoy. Some foods I don’t really love (aka gravy), so I choose not to eat them. Foods that I love that are associated with specific holidays such as pumpkin pie always find there way onto my holiday plate. I also try to fill up on healthy foods like vegetables first. To get you thinking about your food choices, consider this photo below and the miles you’d have to run after eating this meal. The point is to eat what you really enjoy and not what you don’t.
This year I’m balancing my extra turkey day treats with a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. What a great way to mix in physical activity along with your regular traditions. I try to make sure I consistently workout during the holidays as I know I will be indulging in extra calories. By sticking to a workout plan and eating healthy meals when not enjoying treats of the season, I don’t feel guilty having some extra calories at specific times during the holidays. I also don’t finish the holidays feeling like I’ve got an eternity of working out to do to lose the unwanted pounds gained.
If you need some extra running motivation, take a look at Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak Challenge. The goal is to run a mile every day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. That’s really only 10 minutes a day (tips to be successful)!
One last holiday motivation challenge is the Elf for Health Challenge (outlined below) that addresses many overall healthy choices and lifestyle changes.
How do you balance food, fun, and exercise during the holiday season? Which of these challenges would you be most likely to tackle? Choose one-you CAN!
Happy Monday!
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