Working Out to Get Ready for Thanksgiving

If you’re trying to eat clean and stay fit, you might not be looking forward to Thanksgiving as much as you used to. But you don’t have to break stride with your exercise and nutrition routine. Working out before and after your Thanksgiving meal ensures you stay motivated and focused on your health goals, and it can take the guilt out of enjoying a big slice of pumpkin pie. 

Adjust Your Workout Schedule Around Thanksgiving

One of the advantages of Thanksgiving compared to other holidays is that you always know what day of the week it will fall on. If you think that you’ll be in a situation where you can’t sneak away to work out on Thanksgiving, you can adjust your regular gym schedule so that Thursday would be a rest day. If you want to be more active on Thanksgiving, you can invite your family to go for a walk or bike ride around the neighborhood or set up a game of touch football in the backyard. This is also a great way to relieve the holiday-related stress that’s built in the lead-up to Thanksgiving.

Get in a Workout the Day Before Thanksgiving

If you plan on making Thanksgiving your cheat day, you might be tempted to eat lighter the day before. But if you’re already sticking to a strict exercise and nutrition plan, you can go on about your normal routine without needing to fret. If you’re eating and working out with weight loss in mind, you’ll likely have a calorie deficit at the end of the day. A good run or some heavy lifting the day before Thanksgiving can help you offset some of the excess calories you may take in when the big day arrives. 

Build Up to the Big Meal

Even if you plan on getting your proverbial money’s worth with Thanksgiving sides, meals, and desserts, you don’t want to head to the dinner table on an empty stomach. If you’d prefer to save your calories and fast until dinnertime, be sure that you are staying well hydrated. Water, coffee, and tea will help suppress food cravings and keep your metabolism working in your favor. At dinner, eat slowly and be aware of portion sizes. If you decide you want seconds, give your body time to catch up—this can help you avoid an upset stomach and feelings of post-meal discomfort. 

Relieve Your Holiday Stress with Markson Chiropractic

Thanksgiving and the holiday can create a lot of stress, especially when you’re trying to keep up with your exercise and nutrition routine and maintain your focus on better wellness. Chiropractic care can help cut through that stress and improve your mobility and balance so that you can stay active longer. To get started with chiropractic care, request an appointment at Markson Chiropractic in Plantation, FL.