Ok, so last week we discussed step 1 for staying in shape or even losing weight during the Holidays. Let's recap: You are going to COMMIT to the "damage" you are going to make. So far, I have gotten great feedback from people and how they have already COMMITTED to what they are going to do and they are pumped about getting through these holidays without extra pounds!
Today, I will share Step 2 and I also want to present to you a THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE. First, lets start with Step 2 of staying in shape or losing weight during the holidays:
Step 2 Staying In Shape or Losing Weight During The Holidays:
Manipulate Carb Intake & Eat CRAZY Clean Before The "Holiday Feast".
Its funny that the Holidays are usually just a few days between Thanksgiving and New Year, but for some reason people eat poorly for the entire month. I know that you will have more parties, celebrations, and events than usual, but even so, it will end up being just a few meals in the month.
Here is what you have to do:
Commit to eating OPTIMALLY every day excluding the parties or celebrations. Say you have 8 parties, celebrations or events this month. That is only 8 meals out of 155 meals if you eat 5 times a day.
On the days of the party, first COMMIT to the amount of damage you will do. For example: "I will have 2 cocktails, no bread or appetizer, eat a moderate portion of whatever meal there is, and have dessert". This way you get to enjoy yourself without over indulging.
Then you can even take it a step further, and on the days of the events or parties (which are usually at night), you can MANIPULATE YOUR CARBOHYDRATE INTAKE. You can cut back on the amount of carbs or even omit them completely the entire day until the "feast". This way by the time you reach your event, you will be in a bit of a calorie deficit and when you indulge, you won't end up with a crazy amount of calories for the day.
I actually do this on the weekends sometimes when I know I am going to want to enjoy a "pretty bad cheat meal" like wine and brownie with ice cream.....YUMO! I will eat CRAZY CLEAN all day and cut the carbs out and then indulge without doing so much damage.
If you do this, you will see a HUGE difference. You will definitely not gain excess weight and you will pass by the holidays feeling great about yourself and still enjoying yourself.
Now, I have a Thanksgiving Challenge for you. If you take it, I want you to let me know by commenting on this blog and tell me you are taking the challenge.
Thanksgiving Challenge:
- Perform 2-3 workouts between today and Thursday.
- Eat ONLY Fire Meals/Protein Days from now until the Thanksgiving Feast. You may have a healthy carb for breakfast.
- Prepare a few snacks or meals (today) so that you can be prepared for the next few days, as I know if you are like me, the prepping, cooking and setting up starts tomorrow.
So you want to make sure that in the craziness, you are well stacked and prepared with healthy snacks and meals. Because if you don't prepare now, once the prep for the festivities start, the chances of you eating optimally will DIMINISH. So take a few minutes to prepare today. I am actually cooking my families meals tonight for the next 3 days since I will be preparing for Thanksgiving pretty much the whole week. I will make extra of everything so that I have snacks for the next few days.
I am taking this challenge myself! I refuse to let 1 Day take me down! LOL! But I will tell you this, on Thursday I will definitely enjoy some corn soufflé, squash gratin, stuffing, wild rice and goat cheese pilaf, some pan de jam on and my famous carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Oh YEAH, you heard that right! But as always, EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!
Join me in this Thanksgiving Challenge, comment below and let me know you are with me! Enjoy this time spent with your family!
Check in later this week to get Step 3 of Staying in Shape or Losing Weight During the Holidays.
If you need ideas, healthy recipes, snacks, meals to help you stay on track these holidays, check out my Eat to Be Fit Recipe Book. Its full of EASY, DELICIOUS and SUPER HEALTHY RECIPES. Click here to check it out: Healthy Recipes