Thanksgiving is 4 days away! Read on because I know you will thank me.
According to the Calorie Control Council, “the average American eats 3,000 calories for a Thanksgiving meal, with an additional 1,500 more courtesy of snacks and drinks. That's a total of 4,500 calories, around 45 percent of which comes straight from fat”. Believe it or not, the Calorie Control Council says “the average person can easily consume fat equivalent to three sticks of butter in a holiday”. Staggering!
So, in order to burn at least 3,000 calories (because let’s just say that 4500 calories is really an overestimation), a person should expect to walk 30 miles, swim for five hours, or run for four hours at a moderate pace to trim all of those calories away!
Ok, thankfully, Thanksgiving only lasts a day and overeating on the occasion is probably not going to have long-term ill effects. The trouble is that it's the first of many holiday binges lined up until the end of the year. After all that holiday cheer, it's not unusual to gain two or three pounds, extra poundage that won't budge once January rolls in.
So, as I often say to my clients (and to myself) lets come up with a 5 step holiday plan:
#1) Don’t go to the Thanksgiving meal hungry!
Eat breakfast and lunch. When we are hungry, we often eat faster and more of it. When you eat throughout the day, you will avoid overeating at the meal.
#2) Thanksgiving dinner is NOT an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Fill your plate with plenty of veggies and some turkey (no skin) and a little starch. Eat slowly and enjoy the company! Moderation is key!
#3) DIY
Make a dish and bring it with you for others to enjoy. There are so many new and healthy recipes that can take the place of the traditional fatty foods and if the dish is tasty, everyone will want to sample! This year I think I may make a roasted beet and carrot salad.
#4) Drink plenty of water!
Alcoholic drinks can be fun and festive but you need to stay hydrated. Enough said!
#5) Exercise!
I go for a morning workout and then after the meal we round everyone up and take a 10-20 minute walk. This keeps your metabolism working and aids in the digestion!
For more information about staying healthy this holiday season, contact me at rachel@livehealthynyc.com
