We all look forward to Thanksgiving and the yummy food that comes with it. This year is especially challenging with everything going on and we may not be able to gather with friends and family the way we normally would. It can be tempting to indulge more with all the great home cooked food. However, there are ways to enjoy Thanksgiving and still stick to your diet and exercise plan. Remember that eating healthier and sticking to your fitness plan is a journey. Moderation is the key to sticking to it long term.

Make a Plan to Workout: If you schedule out the time you are going to workout each week, it will make it much easier to stick to it. Putting time in your calendar each week to exercise, will help you to prioritize your goal to practice this self-care and work towards your path on the journey of health and wellness.

Plan Ahead of What You Will Eat for Thanksgiving: Think of a few dishes you want to splurge on and have small servings of those dishes. Try to add some healthy options to your plate to round out the meal. Make sure to offer leftovers for family and friends to take home. If there aren’t a lot of leftovers sitting in your fridge, you will be less likely to splurge in the coming days after Thanksgiving.

Keep Moving: After the delicious Thanksgiving meal, go out for a walk. It’s important to not sit around after the big meal. I know eating a meal like this can make you feel sleepy and you just want to sit down. But I encourage you to get out and take a walk. You will burn off some of the calories and it is great for your overall well being to get some fresh air.

Most importantly let’s be thankful for all that we have and take time to appreciate the good things in our lives. Gratitude has become more important this year than it ever has before. So, take time during this holiday to appreciate the people and things you have in your life!