Have a Fit and Healthy Thanksgiving

Everyone associates Thanksgiving Day with food and family, but this year why not make it a healthier holiday. Change is good; a lifestyle change is even better. Even if you are not doing the cooking, you still can eat healthier and make this Thanksgiving the best ever. There is no reason to over-stuff yourself and lay around after dinner watching football. You don’t have to deprive yourself of all the goodies served at the annual feast; it just means that with a few changes you can have a healthier holiday season.

Follow the simple steps below and enjoy a Healthier and Fit Thanksgiving.

1. Eat a healthy breakfast. Oatmeal with blueberries (fresh or frozen) and almonds, Agave syrup if you need a sweetener, skim milk, coffee or tea.
2. Take a walk. Get your body moving.
3. If dinner will be late in the day, be sure to eat a light lunch. Don’t starve yourself waiting for dinner. Keep your metabolism burning.
4. Use a smaller plate at dinner. A salad plate holds less than a dinner plate and you will be less likely to overeat.
5. Do not let your foods touch on the plate. Smaller portions allow you to enjoy a little bit of everything without overeating.
6. Quarter the pieces of pie and don’t pile whipped cream on top.
7. Limit yourself to two glasses of wine at dinner.
8. Drink water. It will help fill you up.
9. Take another walk after dinner. Get your family members or friends moving instead of just sitting on a sofa. You can still talk, enjoy each other and the holiday while you work off that wonderful holiday dinner.

Healthy Thanksgiving tips from Pat McFerren, Personal Trainer and Instructor at Steel Fitness in Bethlehem.