Wellness Wednesday Tip #21: Have a Happy Healthy Thanksgiving!

     Happy #WellfieWednesday friends! With the holiday season upon us, colder weather is setting in and comfort food is coming out, making maintaining those health and fitness goals increasingly difficult. If you're family is anything like mine, tradition rules and breaking the news to Grandma that you won't be able to enjoy her famous stuffing and pumpkin pie, or trying to suggest a cauliflower mash rather than traditional potatoes will likely be met with gaping mouths, rolling eyes, and muttering under the breath of "here we go again..."

     The good news is YOU are in control of what you put in your body and how you spend your time before the feasting begins! Doubling down on the veggies before reaching for dessert, drinking water with dinner, and eating smaller healthy meals before the afternoon family feast are all easy ways to limit the damage done by holiday meals. An early morning workout or "Turkey Trot" 5k will help burn some calories and offset those holiday dishes later in the day. Or suggest the family takes a walk together after the meal rather than plopping on the couch for the rest of the night.

     Remember #WellfieWednesday is about small victories, not perfection. Holidays are about spending time with family, celebrating what you are thankful for, and being present in the moment. If you're preoccupied with your macronutrient intake and using all of your mental energy to resist that piece of cake, you're probably not going to have a good time.

     And in case you need some last-minute inspiration, check out my favorite viral video right now for some help. The Vegan Thanksgiving rap: https://youtu.be/dUZbPLHPmhw

     Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Patrick and I are truly thankful for all of the #WellfieWednesday support. We get so fired up every week seeing the steps everyone is taking to pursue a healthier life and we hope you’re finding inspiration through our posts as well.

     As always, be sure to post your pictures again this week and tag Patrick (@PBernerSPT) or myself (@Eric_in_AmERICa) and keep the wave of healthy change going!

-Dr. Eric Uveges, PT, DPT

-Dr. Patrick Berner, PT, DPT

Bodyweight workouts

http://greatist.com/fitness/50-bodyweight-exercises-you-can-do-anywhere

http://greatist.com/fitness/no-gym-bodyweight-workout-infographic

https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

https://www.onnit.com/academy/basic-to-beast-complete-bodyweight-workout-program/

 

Thanksgiving recipes

https://www.bustle.com/articles/194910-19-healthy-thanksgiving-recipes-for-2016-that-the-whole-table-will-love

http://whole30.com/2016/11/thanksgiving-2016/

http://whole30.com/2014/11/best-whole30-recipes-thanksgiving-special-edition/

http://meljoulwan.com/recipes-index/