Don't Get Fat on Thanksgiving

Alright everyone it's that time of the year again, a day dedicated to eating so much you literally slip into a food coma or have to put on sweatpants so you can breathe.... It's Thanksgiving Time! A day dedicated to food, football, and napping!

This year let's try to practice some self-control so that you don't waste all of your hard-earned results you've spent the past few months achieving. And I don't want to hear the excuse of "Oh, I'll start my diet again AFTER the holiday season... or "I'll just wait until my New Year's Resolution...."  I'll be the first to admit, there is nothing wrong with throwing the diet out the window for one day a year and enjoying yourself but just don't go too crazy because if you're not careful you can easily chow down 7,000 calories without even realizing it if you're aren't careful.

Here are a few tips to prevent that Turkey-10 from showing up on your scale the next day....

1.  Pace Yourself:
By eating more slowly, you allow your satiety mechanisms to catch up with your mouth to signal your body that it's full and that more food isn't necessary.  Also, eating smaller portions and bite sizes will help with this process as well.  If you've ever had the opportunity to enjoy a meal with me you know this concept is damn near impossible for me. Usually when I start eating something it's like a sub-conscious race to the Empty Plate Club.  So slow down and enjoy that delicious food.
     *Tip: Count to 5 while chewing to ensure you are consuming food at an adequate pace.
     *Tip: Put your fork down in between bites so you aren't constantly shoving food into your mouth.
     *Tip: Try to avoid a second helping. Save it for later in the day to try and space out your calories.

2.  Go Easy On The Carbs:
Try not to set any mashed potato records or fill up on dinner rolls. Meals high in carbohydrates result in an insulin spike following the meal.  High insulin levels promote fat storage and inhibit fat burning.  Also, evidence suggests that fluctuating glucose and insulin levels may trigger hunger sensations which is the last thing you need on Turkey Day.  Try to focus more on turkey and some of the vegetables rather than the starchy carbs and dessert trays.

3.  All You Can Drink Water:
Here's one thing you can splurge on: WATER!  By consuming lots of water (especially before your Thanksgiving Feast) you will give your body the idea that it's full and prevent you form overeating.

4.  Easy on The Sauce....

This tip has a double meaning. The first being: Go easy on gravies, dressings, butter etc.  Substances like these have tons of hidden calories and can easily sabotage a plate even with the best intentions.  The other meaning is to go easy on the alcohol.  Calories from alcohol are selfish calories; meaning they want to be first and take priority over the other calories.  In other words, the alcohol you consume will be metabolized and burned for energy first while the remaining calories take a back seat (are stored as fat) until the alcohol is cleared from your system.

5.  Don't Just Stand There Bust a Move!
And last but not least, my personal favorite: Get up early and exercise! Whether you take the dogs out for a long walk, hit the gym first thing in the morning or jump on the ever-so-popular Turkey Trot bandwagon, partake in some form of exercise on Turkey Day.  This way, you burn off calories (in anticipation of the thousands more you are going to be consuming) and set your body up for an influx of food.  Personally I recommend exercising before your big feast so you can enjoy the rest of your day in your food coma, watching football and trying to get off the couch.  This is probably my favorite strategy on Thanksgiving, as I am absolutely terrible at the previous tips. I always eat too much, eat too fast, go back for seconds, divulge in dessert, lay on the couch all day and drink beer...But, I get up and exercise beforehand so it's all okay :)

Good Luck Everybody! Have A Great Thanksgiving!