Fit For Life: Eat Drink and Be Thankful

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Matt Espeut, GoLocalWorcester Health +Lifestyle Contributor

Happy Thanksgiving to my family - that's my Dad, Richard Frey, at left.

It's Thanksgiving time. But let’s not stress ourselves out by trying – too hard – to avoid eating all those favorite and traditional foods with our family. Grilled vegetables and sugar free desserts might be part of your celebration (and should!), but if they aren’t, go ahead and enjoy yourself – in moderation – on that one day. People think that because I am a trainer, I don’t cheat at all, and that’s just not true. I’m going to enjoy myself with friends and family. I’m not going to stress myself out so that I don’t enjoy the day. So, you shouldn’t either. I’m not going to fight homemade pecan pie, homemade sweet potato casserole, or a delicious dessert I may encounter. I am going to enjoy this day and not be concerned about overindulging. But there’s an end to it – and it starts the next day.

Turkey Day Tips.

So that you can enjoy – with moderation – here are some tips so you don’t go TOO overboard. Fill your plate with vegetables and turkey first then add the sweet starchy carbs after. You will eat less calories and still enjoy the heavy stuff. Stay away as much as you can from the bread based foods like stuffing, bread, crackers etc. These items have the most empty calories of all. Offer to help clean off the table and get up and move around after dinner. Wait awhile before having dessert . Stand up and stretch out, maybe go for a walk together. Watch some football. Did you know that it takes about 30 minutes for your brain to process that you’ve eaten and that satiated feeling to tell you you’re really full? So, give your brain time to work. Then, go for some dessert - in small pieces. If you’re a guest at someone’s house and they try to offer you leftovers – or extra pie – just say no! That will help you avoid carrying this binge over to the weekend. If you do take leftovers, take the healthy stuff like vegetables and turkey.

The Morning After

The next day – work out! Lift some weights, come to Providence Fit Body Boot Camp for a fat burning, muscle building workout; your muscles will feed off the glycogen from all the carbs and sugar you ate. You may get the best workout ever. Do not throw your arms in the air and say I'll start again on Monday, and have that one day celebration turn into four. You must get back on track the very next day – you’ll burn a lot of the calories you consumed. And you’ll feel so much better for it – physically and mentally.

The Reason for the Season

Remember what time of year this really is! A time to get together with family and friends that you don't get to see on a regular basis, a time of being close with the ones we love and care about, a time to give thanks, a time of relaxing and getting that warm feeling that the holidays bring. Don’t sabotage those good intentions by thinking it’s about stuffing yourself with too much food and falling off your program. Remember – you want to be there for many years for your family and loved ones – so the best thing you can do is to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle – and encourage those around you to join you in that holiday gift you can make to each other.

For YOU!

For more tips on keeping the weight off during the holidays you can download a free Thanksgiving Survival Guide, with lots of great tips, recipes, and more, here and, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Matt Espeut, GoLocal's Health & Lifestyle Contributor has been a personal trainer and health & fitnesss consultant for over 25 years. He is the owner of Fitness Profiles, a one on one, and small group personal training company, as well as Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, located at 1284 North Main St., on the Providence/Pawtucket line. You can reach Matt at (401) 453-3200; on Facebook at "Matt Espeut", and on Twitter at @MattEspeut. "We’re all in this life together – let’s make it a healthy one!"

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