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- Wait 15 – 20 minutes before getting a second plate. It takes your body 15 – 20 minutes to feel full after eating – so if you go up for seconds immediately after finishing your first plate, your body may already be full. And guess where that extra food will end up? So hold off for a few minutes and then reassess your hunger.
- Know your gym’s holiday schedule and plan in advance. It’s very likely that your gym will have a modified schedule for the slew of upcoming holidays. Visit your gym’s website or give them a call. See how their reduced hours will impact your workout schedule, and plan accordingly. If your gym is closed for a holiday, try to get your workout in the day before – or plan some alternative exercise for that day like biking or jogging outside.
- Drink lots of water. Dehydration is often misunderstood by the body as hunger – keeping your body well-watered will help reduce your food intake. Water may not be as tasty as eggnog, but your body will certainly appreciate it more. Replacing alcoholic or sugary drinks with water will greatly decrease the number of calories you consume.
- Use an appetizer plate. If you munch directly from an appetizer platter or bowl, it’s easy to eat a lot more than you intended. To avoid this scenario, simply use an appetizer plate and select your munchies in advance. Eat what’s on your plate, and then know when to quit.
- Eat an apple before big meals! I used this tip yesterday at my grandmother’s 90th birthday party. If you know that there is going to be a lot of high-calorie and unhealthy food available to you, eat an apple before you leave the house. Apples are a good source of fiber – it will help you feel full and make you less likely to overeat the unhealthy stuff.
- Use a smaller plate. If you take a big plate, you’re probably going to put more food on it. Using a smaller plate will help you select more sensible portions.
- Be grateful and donate leftovers. Express gratitude that you are in the fortunate situation of having too much food to eat during the holidays. Remember that many people spend their holidays hungry. Instead of storing all the leftovers in your fridge, donate them to someone in need.
The holidays are fun, and the food is part of that! Don’t deny yourself the food you love – just be smarter about it. Happy holidays to you and yours.
Do you have any tips? Share ’em in the comments below!
How ’bout skip it all together? Thanksgiving is all too full of drama. So I’m skipping all the events and painting my living room. And I’m actually looking forward to it.
agreed, im actually fasting this thanksgiving
One thing that I am doing this year is being more mindful of the ingredients in cooking. I made butternut squash soup for the first time. My pumpkin pies this year, I used fat-free milk, unprocessed sugar, and whole wheat pie crusts. I made cranberry sauce from scratch and it was a major hit. Surprisingly easy, all you have to do is simmer (not boil) cranberries in water or orange juice and then mash them once they are burst and soften. It was so much better than that stuff you get in the can.
But I wholeheartedly agree that you can still be mindful of your portions. Don’t let friends and relatives pressure you either. Only eat what you want to eat and don’t let anyone make you feel bad because you didn’t try whatever traditional dish they brought.
Thanks. DW!! I will be following your advice this holiday.
You are welcome!
A great tip is to follow your typical eating routine…if you eat 5 small meals all day any other time, why should the holidays be any different. Of course you are eating and enjoying a special food, but eat all day, not just this one huge meal. Remember Bon Qui Qui’s tip: “Have it your way…but don’t get crazy!”
LOL, What a great tip from Bon Qui Qui! Thanks 🙂
Thanks for the tips!
Re:water
I drink a glass of water before every meal and more during. It helps make me feel full and helps me drink enough during the day.
Also, when out on the town I drink a glass of water for every cocktail I have. It keeps me hydrated and keeps the hangover away.
Thanks for all of your tips!
Hi Davey.Just a quick request/suggestion.
I like your website, and your email updates are great (without them chances are I wouldnt be checking out the site anywhere near as often).
However, I am using a work laptop for email and your email updates are very very close to breach our email policy whereby private emails are OK, but anything sexual on a work computer isn’t.
Could you maybe find a way to send the updates without the semi naked guy pics? They don’t really add a lot of value, and can cause me quite a bit of trouble…
Cheers
Mike
rainbolt: I read somewhere that drinking 30 min before, durring or 30 min after a meal will dilute your stomach acid and cause your food to stay in your stomach longer and not get digested as fully. rethink the water trick with the food, try an aple like dw said or a “full bar.” hope you have a happy thanksgiving.
Re: Charles, thanks for the tip. Do you have a link to that study? I’ve never heard that before. I’ve always drank water before during and after my meals. I want to know more.
Re mike and photos.
Mike! I gave a solution 1) turn off the auto load pictures option on your email client. It’s a good anti-SPAM practice. 2) switch your DW email to your personal e-mail.
I love the pictures, they are inspiring,funny,and very much Davey Wavey.
LMAO at the picture!