1. Workout: I still get my workout in even when my amount of responsibilities and social calendar is jam packed. I don't let the holiday hustle and bustle cause me to make excuses to sleep in and skip my workout. I still schedule my workout like a meeting with my boss that I wouldn't cancel. It's on my iPhone calendar every day. So for example if you are an evening workout woman and someone asks you to go out for dinner or an event. Decide if you legitimately have time to get that workout in somewhere else or do you really need to stay on track. If you can say to yourself, "I really should do my workout." Then that is your answer. Go and do your workout and then meet up with friends later or another day! Taking to many unscheduled rest days during the week throws off your flow and progress. So don't take unscheduled rest days unless its on the calendar for your workouts!
2. Thanksgiving day: Just because it's a holiday doesn't mean you can't workout. Especially if you have been saving up for that feast why not get in a good sweat session? I still get up at the same time, maybe an hour later but I still do my workout. I know that I am about to have a great dinner and I want to get my metabolism fired up and my feel good endorphins in check so that I can confidently enjoy my meal. Insanity will sure get me fired up and burning lots of calories. Then, I still eat a normal breakfast which for me is egg whites, a apple with pb and flaxseed. Then, I have my typical snack 2 1/2 to 3 hours later followed by lunch. Then, I enjoy thanksgiving dinner! I don't starve myself all morning to save calories for dinner. I will just follow proper portion sizes from the 21 day fix. Yes, I will be taking my containers with me to momma-in-laws and my moms house. You can follow portion control too.
Follow the palm size portion for lean protein (turkey), have 1 cupped handful of potatoes (starchy carbs) and pick between potatoes and corn since they are both starches. Then, load up on veggies (ask for no butter). But stop there! Don't have green bean casserole, scalloped potatoes, stuffing, corn, corn soufflé and pumpkin and apple pie. Pick and choose what you want to spend your calories on! Choose the foods that you truly want vs the things that just taste ok but you eat them because they are in front of you! Make sense? Next, drink lots of water! Still aim to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces each day so that you don't confuse thirst with hunger and your metabolism is fired up!
3. If you are hosting or going to a Thanksgiving dinner bring a healthy dish. I am a little sneaky on this one. I always bring something that I can eat a lot of! So usually it has a protein in there like quinoa or beans so that just in case there is NOTHING healthy (which this happens to me a lot) I have a back up plan. Now I don't go shouting it from the rooftops that there is nothing to eat. I just quietly get my plate, fill it with what I brought, grab some veggies and fruit and call it a day! Then, I always have my protein powder stashed in the car for afterwards if I need something more to eat. Remember it's all about will power and balance. Just because there are no healthy options doesn't mean you eat it anyways. You pick and choose what matters most.
4. Traveling: Pack your cooler and healthy snacks for the road. Honestly, you would be surprised at how easy it is to take your snacks and food along with you. The company thirty-one makes some great insulated totes that can hold Apples, almonds, protein bars, veggies, meatloaf muffins, and fruit. When I travel I even portion out little baggies of 1/2 cup servings of oatmeal mixed with 1 scoop vanilla protein powder and some dried fruit. Then anywhere you go you can find some hot water to mix it with! Voila instant oatmeal without the hidden sugars that you would get at Starbucks and McDonalds oatmeal. Trust me, it's worth it because there are a lot of hidden stuff in there!!!
But most of all, be thankful for the things in your life. Enjoy this time with your family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving.
