Every year I share a variation on how to have a guilt free Thanksgiving. Today I'm sharing three tips for having a delicious holiday while keeping yourself feeling good physically, and positive mentally. Before I get to the tips, I want to remind you about Healthy For The Holidays group coaching! The holiday season is the most stressful time of year. The average person gains 5-7 pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
With Healthy For the Holidays you get, 2 Group Health Coaching Sessions, a video from me every week with small, sustainable tips to keep you on track throughout the holiday season, access to a private Facebook group, and there's more! Because this is group coaching, you get real life support and motivation from me, and other women. Watch the video for more info!
Anyone who signs up today, will receive a FREE copy of my book, Ditch The Diet, and a special discount that can be applied to any other product or service!
With that, here's 3 Ways To Have A Guilt Free Thanksgiving
Eat Anything But Not Everything
When you restrict food, it becomes more appealing. This leads to overindulges because in your mind, you feel this is your "last meal." What do you know on your last meal? You eat as much as you can stuff in your face because you feel as if you will never have that food again. Then you beat yourself up after for eating the wrong thing and feel depressed.
However, when you give yourself permission to eat anything, that appeal goes away. You no longer crave things because you've no longer labeled them as either good or bad. Less cravings equals less likelihood to overeat.
Decide What's Worth It
When you arrive at a party, take inventory of your food options and give yourself choices. Maybe the cheese platter is calling your name, but so pumpkin pie. Decide which one you want most. Then make a choice of what you will eat and stick with that decision. You can also consider splitting foods with other guests too. Instead of eating an entire slice of pie, ask someone else to split it with you. That way you can have your pie and cheese too!
Don't Show Up Hungry
Showing up hungry or saving up for the big meal is a mistake. This causes your blood sugar to dip and greatly increases your risk for overeating. Most likely you will leave the party bloating and miserable, rather than happy and content.
Eat as normal as possible throughout the day. This will keep your blood sugar stable and reduce the chances for overindulging. That way, you will leave happy, satisfied and be able to celebrate your ability to eat in moderation!
As a final note, if you do overindulge don't beat yourself up. Learn from your mistakes and look to the future, not the past. I know you can do this!
Your advice is always spot on. Today I allowed myself to eat what I wanted in small portions. And yes, even passed on many things. I, of course, ate over my calorie limit but tomorrow right back at it. I've maintained a 55# weight loss for one year now with this strategy of a spoonful of something. Let's you taste it and if it's the bomb, get a little more. Funny though, I rarely get the little more. Thanks for all you share! happy Thanksgiving!
That's awesome Julie! Thanks for sharing that. Always makes my day to hear these things.