In a year that has somehow felt incredibly long and short at the same time, Thanksgiving is almost here! You know what that means: the champagne will be flowing, the turkey will be roasted to perfection, and your grandma will be ready to make sure that you eat enough in one weekend to last you until next Thanksgiving. Throw in endless servings of pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and stuffed yams, and you’ve got the perfect holiday weekend to share with your friends and family.
But you know what they say: too much of a good thing is bad (no matter how good it tastes!). As we enter the holiday season and the loungewear (which is what we call leggings and hoodies) at the back of your closet look set to make a comeback, we’ve got a few tips and tricks to help you stay healthy and feeling your best this Thanksgiving.
Eat!
One of the biggest mistakes we all make around the holidays is not eating before feasting. We know, it seems counterproductive to eat anything when mom’s cooking awaits, but depriving yourself of nourishment beforehand is certainly not the answer. This could lead to overeating later in the day, which will just leave you feeling sluggish and bloated.
Stay hydrated
Stay hydrated and drink as much water as possible. Don’t get us wrong: we love a glass of bubbles as much as the next person! But over the holidays, we all tend to overindulge. Chasing each glass of bubbles with a glass of water is one of the best life hacks (Thanksgiving or not!) out there. You’ll thank us later.
Move more
One of the best things you can do for yourself over the holiday period is carve out some time to move. Get out for a GOFA guided run, smash a Quick HIIT session, or even take a walk with the whole family! By moving around, we get our endorphins going, which is good for both mental and physical health. Pro tip: get your workout in before you tuck into the pumpkin pie (you definitely won’t be motivated to do it after!).
Watch your portions
We’d absolutely hate for you to be too full for dessert, so watching your portions is key. A healthy lifestyle is a well-balanced one, so be sure to approach the buffet table with that principle in mind. This will also save you from feeling uncomfortable at the dinner table and wishing you were back on the couch in the leggings from your loungewear collection.
By pacing yourself through the buffet, you’ll hopefully save some room for our healthy dessert option, Spiced Pumpkin & Pecan Loaf.
Eat your vegetables
How many times has your mom begged and pleaded with you to eat your vegetables? You might be a few decades late, but you can still make her Thanksgiving by loading up on those veggies. One of the best things about the holiday season is that the most delicious, versatile vegetables like pumpkin and sweet potatoes are easily available at this time of the year, so make the most of what Mother Nature has to offer.
Spend time with the ones you love
It’s so easy to get caught up in all of life’s stresses that we tend to spend less time with our loved ones without even realizing it. This Thanksgiving, relax, unwind and spend time with your nearest and dearest. Giving your mind and your body the opportunity to recover from everyday stresses will go a long way in keeping you happy and healthy.
GOFA can help you burn off those Thanksgiving calories with our wide range of on-demand fitness classes and running sessions. Download Now!
