The season of feasting is upon us, and while we look forward to spending time with loved ones during Thanksgiving, it's important to remember that our health and fitness goals shouldn't take a backseat. Fortunately, functional medicine offers us practical solutions to keep us on track during this festive time of year. Here are some tips for maintaining your fitness around Thanksgiving:Get Moving Early in the Day: Starting your day with some form of physical activity, like taking a brisk walk or doing a home workout, sets you up for a more metabolically efficient day. It also helps to boost your mood and enhances your energy levels, which is critical to getting through Thanksgiving festivities in good spirits. Practice Conscious Eating: Thanksgiving meals typically involve high-calorie dishes, heavy on the carbs, fats, and sugars. Conscious eating is all about making mindful food choices, eating slowly and purposefully, and taking breaks between eating to check in on your level of satiety. Prioritize protein, fiber-rich vegetables and fruits, and healthy fats like those found in nuts and seeds. Cut back on sugary and starchy foods, including heavy deserts, stuffing, and bread. Stick to Proper Portions: It's easy to mindlessly overeat during Thanksgiving, but it's important to maintain proper serving sizes to ensure that you stay in line with your fitness plan. One good strategy is to use a smaller plate and fill it mainly with high-fiber veggies. That way, you can enjoy the holiday treats without feeling guilty or abandoning your healthy eating goals. Don't Forget Hydration: Being in a state of dehydration lowers your mood, energy levels, and metabolic rate, making you more prone to storing fat. Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day and avoid sugary drinks, especially soda, and alcohol. You can also try to add slices of lemon, lime, or cucumber to your water for an extra boost to your hydration levels. Find a Workout Buddy: One great way to stay consistent and motivated during the holiday season is to find an accountability partner or workout buddy who shares the same fitness goals as you. You can schedule regular physical activities together, plan healthy meals, and encourage each other every step of the way. Thanksgiving is about gratitude and togetherness, but it doesn't mean that we have to sacrifice our fitness goals. By following these tips and adopting a functional medicine-based approach, you can maintain fitness during Thanksgiving and emerge from the holiday season strong and healthy. Happy Thanksgiving!
