Happy Thanksgiving - celebrating without reckless abandon (of your goals)

The year has certainly flown by so quickly and here we are at the season where many Americans turn their focus and energies into readying themselves for the upcoming holidays.

Thanksgiving is upon us, and while so much of this holiday involves the food we prepare, serve and eat together, I hope that everyone can also truly enjoy and appreciate a time of Thanksgiving – giving thanks for all that you have, all that you are, and all the possibilities open to you in the future. If you are reading this message, then you are likely someone who is on a journey to find balance in a world where there is often too much information and stimulation. Perhaps you want less stress in your life, or healthier eating habits, more time to spend doing things you enjoy….or perhaps you want to become more mindful of feeling gratitude (couldn’t we all get better with this one?). Whatever your goals – remember that when the rush of holidays is upon us it is easier to give into the voices in our heads that say “oh just forget about those for a little while, have fun, live life and let loose. Aas though working towards your goals is not living life??!! But I am here to encourage you that living life, having fun, enjoying holidays, family and friends, while still aiming for your goals is possible. It’s not only possible, it should feel good. Decisions you’ve made, goals that you have set, are important.

So my advice to staying on track during the holidays is to be committed, have a plan that allows you to stay focused and enjoy. Fill up on healthy foods – lean proteins (hello, turkey is great) and all those wonderful vegetables. This way when the dishes are passed around that don’t align with your goals – you won’t be famished and you will have the self-control to choose ones that you really want to enjoy (that favorite family dressing, or your mom’s delicious squash casserole). It is fine to indulge your senses and your emotions by enjoying traditional, meaningful food. In fact, it’s important on a day like Thanksgiving to do so - participate in the celebration. Just don’t overdo it, and you won’t if you've already filled up on the good stuff first. Enjoy yourself, but don’t blow your goals in one day!

And if you’re really keen, fit in 20-30 mins to do a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) * workout. This type of workout really gets your heart rate up for short bursts and boosts your metabolism and gets your body primed to burn fat throughout the day.

So this Thanksgiving – enjoy the day, enjoy the company, enjoy your life and remember that it is a celebration of more than just food!

* Come back in a couple of weeks when I talk about how to incorporate a homework (including HIIT) into your lifestyle, but if you want to find out more about HIIT in the meantime click here: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/high-intensity-interval-training/