HOLIDAY FEAST HELP

With the holidays coming up and Thanksgiving in less than a week the question may arise as to what challenges this will pose to your healthy eating.

Thanksgiving is not famous for healthy eating. Sure the turkey is packed full of protein and there may be green beans or other vegetables. Then again there is pie and macaroni and cheese and all that other stuff that is good for your taste but not your waist.

What do you do?

Well you can be bold and avoid all those foods and eat clean. So while your family enjoys that entire feast you will enjoy turkey, steamed broccoli and…ok I’ll stop now because this doesn’t sound like much fun.The thing is some people can avoid all this and eat clean. They should be celebrated.

The greater majority won’t do this. Some will flat out refuse and say “clean eating be damned.”

Now I often preach that what you eat dictates your progress with your fitness. This opinion never wavers, but in the event of days like Thanksgiving and Christmas I’m fine with breaking the rules. But let’s remember that Thanksgiving and Christmas are each one day, 24 hours. I’ve mentioned cheat days in other articles, that’s what this is.

 Here is a way to take some of the burden away from that feast. Prep yourself the week leading up to it. Adhere to a strict eating plan for 5-7 days prior to your feast.

• Limit or exclude starchy foods.
• Stick to lean protein sources and fibrous vegetables.
• Consume quality fats such as olive oils, avocados and nuts.
• Let your lean protein be the main part of your meal.
• Furthermore exclude all sugary drinks.
• The day of, try to eliminate as many carbohydrates as possible prior to your meal.

Get in the gym and be sure to get at least 3 one hour sessions of resistance training and do 30-45 minutes of cardio every day.

Then when the day comes allow yourself what you want. Likely you’re holiday meal will cause a large influx of calories. Since you’re coming off your week long prep this rapid change will cause your metabolism to rev up and go to work. This will work in your benefit and be far less likely to negatively impact your progress. One consideration you should make though is to limit your free for all. Feel free to indulge but within reason. Simply put, don’t eat more than you normally would have had you not done the week long prep.

Another useful method is to earn your indulgence. If you are looking to consume a large meal, about an hour prior hit the gym for some intense weight lifting. Get in a good forty minute workout, head home and clean up then enjoy your meal. Doing this will allow the caloric load to be used towards muscle repair and recuperation post workout. Just keep in mind that this is more of a crutch. It is not advisable to do this on a regular basis as your workouts should be executed to better your health and physique. Furthermore you want to infuse your muscles with optimal nutrients; this fix is ok for the occasional cheat day.  Even better, drink a protein shake 30-45 minutes before your meal to avoid over eating.

The advice here is meant to help ease the burden of calories from a holiday meal. This is not meant to be utilized on a regular basis. When the holiday is over it is strongly recommended that you resume your healthy eating and workout programs.

© BEST FITNESS NOW