So I am sitting here in sunny,warm Arizona thinking about the big day (turkey day) and it got me thinking some of the ways people sabotage their "diet' and mindset. I came up with my top 5 things to do or not to do over the holidays to ensure lasting and positive results. I hope you enjoy these 5 tips
1. Laughter: Yes believe it or not research has shown health benefits of laughter ranging from strengthening the immune system, reducing food cravings to increasing one's threshold to pain. There is even an emerging therapeutic field known as “humor therapy” to help people heal more quickly among other things. Humor as you know also has several important stress relieving benefits. So give it a try while sitting around with family on Thanksgiving Day let laughter boost your immune system while reducing your stress.
2. Is it really that bad?: Stop thinking about how full you’re going to be or how bad you’re going to be on your diet! Do you even have a diet? Thinking this way is stupid and sabotaging NOT only your goals but your normal mind set. Turkey is not bad for you, Cranberries = beneficial nutrients, Sweet potatoes… Really? Thanksgiving Day does NOT have to be thought as killing one’s diet for the day. “Getting the reps in” is what makes dieting and losing weight happens. Stop thinking about eating one “bad meal” and get moving…
3. Some things are best not finished…. your plate is one if them. Sorry mom, but this one rule we can get rid of! If you’re full STOP EATING! People NEVER push themselves but for some reason we seem to push too much food into our mouths. The muffins, the big breakfast, cinnamon buns, hot cider, nuts, crackers with spread, turkey. Its okay to tell yourself “I am full and don’t need to eat anymore.”
4. Make everyday the day after a holiday: Ever notice how “motivated” people get after Thanksgiving, maybe it’s the fact that they ate a huge amount of food and their bodies wants to convert all the carbohydrates, proteins and fats into useable energy instead of getting stored as ugly fat… or maybe they just want to play? Whatever the case is, if you have time and motivation after the holidays then why DON’T you have it all the time? Excellent question to ask yourself?
If you’re planning what you’re eating over the holidays you should plan your workouts too! Or better yet when you’re done reading this article perform this workout:
Touch your toes 10 times
15 jumping jacks
Perform 5 wrist circles
Tighten up every muscle
Do the circuit 2-3 times and enjoy the results!
5. Give thanks: This one is the MOST important and should never be over looked! Call, write, email, text someone who you’re thankful for and share a laugh, it will mean a lot to them and help you both feel good.
People always bring up the bad stuff, be a rebel and bring up the good.
