Creating Your Best Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Let The Holiday Season Begin...

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to express my gratitude to you for being part of my wellness community in 2019.

Whether you are a current or former client, a workshop participant, or someone who has enjoyed reading my emails, I truly value any level of involvement we have shared. I hope that I have consistantly lived up to your expectations of delivering useful and actionable information, with programs and content that contribute to your growth and development toward becoming the healthiest and happiest version of yourself. I want to help you discover what I know you already have within you ... great inner strength, wisdom, intuition and courage. A whole lot of heart, smarts, humor, and compassion. I am truly delighted to help you find these qualities that you may sometimes doubt you even have, but I never do. You are an awesome human being, one of a kind. If I can contribute in any way to your confidence in that, I feel honored.

So now... let's talk about Thanksgiving Day, specifically in relation to all the food and all the people. Here are a few ideas to think about...

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All The Food

The Thanksgiving Day meal has often been described as the "superbowl of eating."  For most of us, the title is justified. At my own Thanksgiving Day table, the feast has grown to crazy proportions. Years ago we had our turkey with many traditional sides. As our family has grown, so has our spread of food. We now have many different types of eaters at our table - vegetarians, vegans, gluten free, self-proclaimed 'healthy eaters' who shun the old-school versions of Turkey Day food, made mostly from canned items, in favor of healthier preparations using fresh produce, less sauce and less sugar. But did we drop the old favorites? No, we did not. Some people in our family still love the childhood version of their Thanksgiving favorites.  So our Thanksgiving buffet has gotten enormous, with every version of everything. And let's not forget all the appetizers and desserts!

​Thanksgiving is intended to be a happy day of eating, relaxing and enjoying family and friends. Maybe you've decided not to even think about what you are consuming today, and to just enjoy whatever you are eating. To that I say: EXCELLENT IDEA! It is my belief that it is okay to occasionally relax the rules and constraints around eating, in favor of enjoying the deliciousness of the meal, and the comraderie of those we love. Some may disagree and have a different Thanksgiving Day game plan. Regardless of your eating strategy, here are some ways to help you feel good in your body when you dive in:

• I believe it is better to get to the table when you are not starving. Eat a healthy breakfast on Thanksgiving Day so you can make choices later that feel good to you.The best decisions are not usually made when you're starving or 'hangry' (hungry+angry). 
• Eat slowly. Chewing well and putting your fork down occasionally creates optimal digestion. You'll feel more comfortable after the meal, and better able to detect when you've had enough.
• Eat until you are satisfied not stuffed. Again, it's about good digestion, not calories. 
• Survey the landscape (on the table). Make sure you have enough room on your plate for your favorites by seeing all that's available to you!
• Lose the guilt! Focus on the joy of the day and not how much you've eaten. And while we are discussing mindset, also recognize that this is not the last meal you will ever eat. No need to eat as though your favorites will never again be available for your consumption.
• Relax and enjoy everything you eat. Pause to taste the food, and to connect with friends and family.
• Be grateful for the joys of the day. Gratitude will help to keep your body in a relaxed state, and thereby maximize it's metabolic power.

All The People

​Thanksgiving is often a day we gather in larger groups with people we may not see often: extended family, friends, friends of friends, neighbors... you get the picture. For some people, gathering in large groups is not always comfortable or what they prefer. Sometimes there are people there that you don't love to spend time with. It is also true that family gatherings are notorious for stirring up old tensions and feelings.  Here are some options to think about:
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• Try approaching the day with an open mind. Every day is a new day. When you build up a negative picture of the situation in your mind before you get there, you are actually helping to create it that way, and the tension in that situation as well.
• Take your attention away from your thoughts and get involved in an activity. Help the host, watch the game on TV or catch up with someone you haven't seen in a while.
• Don't berate yourself for feeling the way you do. The negative judgements you place on yourself actually makes you feel worse about the situation, and keep you locked into that negative state of mind.
• Focus on the things that are wonderful about the day. Enjoy the people you are looking forward to seeing, the delicious meal, or the football games you are watching.
• This is my favorite idea for both your body and your mind...go for a walk, preferably with others. This is a particularly good idea after you've eaten your meal. It helps your body digest the food, and the fresh air and activity help reduce stress by activating your 'feel good' hormones (your endorphins). Connecting with the other walkers does this as well. 

I hope these ideas will be helpful in creating your best Thanksgiving Day. I will be back in December with more emails to close out 2019, so you can end the year feeling healthy, happy and ready for the new decade.

​And as always, if you want to learn more about food and non-food ways to create healthy habits, and how you can feel great in your body (without losing your mind), send me an email, or call me at (201) 803-3257

​I'm also offering a free Discovery Call to discuss your health and happiness needs, and how I can help you achieve them. Click here to schedule your free half-hour phone session with no obligation.

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Let's Talk!
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In Good Health,