Fitness: Eating between the holidays
This is one of my favorite times of year. I love the holidays especially all the food! I most certainly filled my belly on Thanksgiving. However, this week I knew I had to snap back. This week I began consuming mostly raw fruits and vegetables and inundating my system with a stream of natural vitamins, antioxidants and fiber to help detoxify after that feast. In the past I would eat horribly from Thanksgiving till Christmas and right on through the New Year. I would wake up on New Year’s Day asking myself how I was going to get rid of all the weight. Well, this year don’t let that be you! I am not saying don’t partake in the holiday grub (I sure did), but be smart about it! These weeks in between Thanksgiving and the Winter Holidays don’t have to be an all-out gorge feast. Here are a few tips on how to avoid the pitfalls of the holiday “in-between” time.
Eat Mostly Raw: It’s almost been a week since thanksgiving and I have pretty much been eating 90% raw fruits, vegetables and grains for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I will have raw oats and fruit for breakfast, Kale salad with quinoa for lunch and salmon, avocado, tomato and squash for dinner. I also partake and plenty of fruits and veggies for snacks throughout the day. I feel so much better than my post-thanksgiving meal state.
Run from sugar: Thanksgiving and Christmas are a great time to get some sugary goodies in but sugar is not your friend. I am not used to having sugar so when I had a few deserts this holiday I woke up with a terrible headache. Sugar just makes me feel terrible and it is because I don’t consume it on a regular basis. You should do the same in between the holidays really avoid heavy sugar items, it will elevate the stress on your body during this time.
Drink detoxifying juices: Juices are a great way to get vitamins and nutrients right into your blood stream without the burden of eating all the ruffage. In between eating feast you should try to incorporate a juice per day into your regiment. Some of my favorite detoxifying juices are: Beet apple juice, Pineapple Green juice and Grapefruit juice.
Water cleanses: One of my good friends came to celebrate the holiday with me and we both would stop each other throughout the day and drink 4 cups of water in a row. It was a great way to wash down all the fat and sugar, plus it filled up my stomach more. I know water is the last thing we want to see on the dinner table with all the eggnog, wine and cranberry cocktails however, it is crucial! Load up on the water the days prior. Since most of the food is heavy in sodium it often dehydrates us so water is even more crucial.
Cleanse your colon naturally: One of my favorite ways to cleanse is Psyllium husk. Psyllium seed husk are indigestible and are a source of soluble dietary fiber. They are used to aid in digestion. They are also used as a regular dietary supplement to improve and maintain regular GI transit.
So this holiday season don’t let the food get the best of your health!
What have you done to eat healthier post-Thanksgiving? How has detoxifying helped you stay focused on your goals? How does sugar affect your system? Share your thoughts and comments.