25 Ways to Recover from Thanksgiving
© ShutterstockDon’t let yourself suffer from the side effects of binge eating this Thanksgiving. A sore and bloated stomach is just two of the many uncomfortable symptoms. Make sure that you get back on track and make healthy changes to avoid forming bad habits.The road to recovering from your Thanksgiving meal starts right when you wake up in the morning. Exercise first thing to boost your metabolism for the day ahead. Instead of drinking alcohol, consume plenty of water. “Holiday foods tend to cause you to feel bloated due to high sugar and salt content, so it is important to drink lot's of water throughout the day prior to dinner and the days post-dinner,” says Michelle Roots, resident fitness expert and trainer for Trainerize.Get your health back on track, recuperate from your holiday feast, and educate yourself on a few ways to recover from Thanksgiving.
Get Back to Eating Clean Right Away
© Shutterstock“The holidays are filled with dinner parties and activities that might revolve around high calorie foods,” says Michelle Roots, resident fitness expert and trainer for Trainerize. “Try to find a healthy balance where you are eating healthy outside of all of these parties.”
Don’t Start a Detox
© Shutterstock“For one, no one should need to do a week long detox after one binge meal, plus the holidays are probably the hardest time to limit your calories which is recommended during a detox,” Roots explains. Just eat like you normally would and make healthier choices regarding each snack and meal, she adds.
Do Not Drastically Limit Your Calories Afterward
© Shutterstock“The last thing we want to do is send your body into starvation mode by starving ourselves after a large Thanksgiving binge,” Roots says. “Be sure to still eat every 3 to 4 hours, but keep portion sizes smaller.”
Decrease or Completely Cut Out Alcohol Intake
© Shutterstock“Alcohol is not only loaded with calories, but it also affects your body’s ability to burn fat,” Roots says. “Decreasing calorie intake throughout the holidays can drastically decrease the amount of damage done on the waistline.”
Get Rid of Leftovers
© ThinkstockIf you binge eat on Thanksgiving day, make sure to avoid binge eating on leftovers for many days after Thanksgiving, Roots says. “Give them away to family, friends, or even homeless so that you are not tempted to continue eating these foods.”
Drink Black Coffee or Green Tea
© ShutterstockGive your metabolism a boost and ward off unhealthy cravings by drinking coffee, green tea, or other zero-calorie teas, Roots says. Caffeine has also been shown to help detoxify the liver and cleanse the colon, suppress appetite, and stimulate thermogenesis, which may help you burn extra calories throughout the day.
Don’t Be a Couch Potato
© ShutterstockDo whatever you can to get more steps in throughout the day, Roots explains. Try parking farther away from your destination or taking the stairs instead of the elevator — every little bit helps, she adds.
Choose Your Cheats Wisely
© ShutterstockTry to not completely limit yourself to all of all the yummy foods that the holidays bring, Roots says. “Just choose one small treat each day.” Tip: “If you feel you have a craving for something, give yourself 10 minutes before indulging,” she adds.
Drink More Water
© ShutterstockBe proactive and carry a water bottle with you the day after Thanksgiving. “Holiday foods tend to cause you to feel bloated due to high sugar and salt content, so it is important to drink lot's of water throughout the day prior to dinner and the days post-dinner,” Roots says. Water is key to eliminating toxins; it flushes your body of waste, promotes healthy kidneys, and aids in digestion.
Limit Your Holiday Baking
© Thinkstock“If you are someone who loves to bake that's great, but limit how much holiday baking you have laying around the house as temptation,” Roots explains. “Bake your favorite holiday recipes and either give them away or freeze them and defrost only as needed when guests are coming over.”
Go for a Walk Outside
© ShutterstockAfter your meal, head outside and go for a walk. It will boost your metabolism, help your body release tension, and, most importantly, aid in digestion. Walking stimulates your digestive tract, making it easy for your food to be digested. Studies have shown that it also decreases blood sugar after meals, which decreases your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Work Out Right Away
© Shutterstock“Try to get up and workout first thing in the morning soon after waking up,” Roots says. “Even if you aren't a gym person, try to get outside for a walk or light jog.” It will help get your heart rate up, boost your metabolism, and help you burn more calories throughout the day. Exercising in the morning has also been shown to help reduce stress, eliminate fatigue, and improve mood.
Focus on Eating High Fiber and High Protein
© ThinkstockRoots explains that “these foods will help you feel full and feed your metabolism without being loaded with calories.” Some of the best fiber-filled superfoods include broccoli, lentils, flaxseeds, and avocados.
Get Lots of Shut-Eye
© ShutterstockNot only does lack of sleep decrease energy levels and do a number on hormones, but it can also cause increased appetite and cause people to crave calorie-dense foods, Roots explains. “Try to aim for at least 7 hours of sleep per night.” Eating a giant meal before bed is also likely to mess with your sleep. Consider taking a warm bath; research has shown that it helps promote a better night’s sleep. Some of the health benefits of sleep include aiding in weight loss, boosting your immune system, reducing stress, and improving memory.
Avoid Hard-to-Digest Foods
© Shutterstock“Dairy products like milk and cheese, carbonated beverages, and highly acidic foods are normally more difficult for your body to digest,” Roots explains. It is important to avoid these because your body will already be working overtime after the Thanksgiving binge, she adds.
Strength Train
© Shutterstock“If you strength train and build some muscle mass, you will increase your resting metabolic rate,” Roots explains. This will help decrease the amount of damage done after a holiday meal.
Fill Up on Fruits and Vegetables
© ShutterstockWhen you feel like having a snack, instead of grabbing a cookie, try grabbing an apple, banana, or carrot sticks to hold you over until your next meal time, Roots says. Tip: Purchase a slow juicer; it’s the perfect way to mix together your fruits and vegetables, and get the antioxidants your body needs.
Pre-Prepare Meals and Snacks
© ShutterstockIf you know that you will be busy during the days after your Thanksgiving dinner, consider pre-making some healthy breakfast bars, salads, or other healthy meals and snacks to just grab and go, Roots says. Check out some of our list of the best protein snacks.
Flush Out Your Toxins
© ShutterstockWake up in the morning and drink a detox tea — Red Clover Tea, Ginger Tea, or Green Tea, to name a few. They will help keep your body purified, burn fat, increase your metabolism, and improve your digestive system. Tip: Roots says putting lemon in your water is also a great way to recover. “Lemon water not only tastes great, but it will help flush toxins out of your body,” she says.
Get Active With the Family
© Shutterstock“Find something fun to get out and do with the family that will get you all moving,” Roots says. Sign up for a turkey trot, participate in a fitness class together, or just go walking around the mall. Walking boosts your metabolism, helps you burn fat and, most importantly, stimulates your digestive tract, making it easy for your food to be digested.
Don't Have the “I'll Start Back in January” Mindset!
© Shutterstock“Many people just “let themselves go” over the holidays and have the mindset of losing the weight again in January,” Roots says. “This is very dangerous as a lot of damage can be done in the month of December, which will make January very difficult.” Secure the mindset of a healthy balance between healthy eating and exercising, as well as enjoying all the food and fun the holidays have to offer, she adds.
Don’t Get Down on Yourself or Have Regrets
© Shutterstock“There is no worse feeling than waking up the day after Thanksgiving feeling like you might have put on 10lbs from one meal,” Roots says. “Don't let it get you down, get up and get right back on track with a positive attitude. Negative thinking will only lead to further overeating.”
Eat Before Going to Holiday Parties
© Shutterstock“If you have more parties and events to go to after Thanksgiving, try to eat something healthy prior to attending the party to avoid over eating at the party,” Roots says.
Avoid High-Sodium and Processed Foods
© Shutterstock“Foods higher in salt/sodium can cause increased bloating and continue to make you feel sluggish,” Roots explains. They may make you feel as if you have gained more weight than you have.
Meditate
© ShutterstockWhether you’re hosting or attending, it’s likely you will feel overwhelmed during the holidays. Recovering from Thanksgiving will be nearly impossible if you are stressed. Practice meditation to alleviate your stress and anxiety, rejuvenate you, boost your immune system, and improve your focus and mood.
source : The Active Times (http://www.theactivetimes.com/)
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