Detoxing after Indulging

I heard someone say that the average person gains between 5 and 7 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. I can see how that happens because if you’re like me, my high-calorie feasting lingered past Thursday last week. Friday I ate a little too much because, well, you know, it was the day after Thanksgiving and there were so many good leftovers! Saturday wasn’t much better. And Sunday was the last day of my little four-day holiday so I decided to live it up one last day. Holly Hull, a researcher at the University of Oklahoma, says “the number of people who only overeat at the Thanksgiving meal is slim to none.” Well, that certainly made me feel a lot better. Misery loves company, you know! Dr. Hunt also stated that “the holiday season doesn’t represent one day of overeating; you have this period that extends through the new year where there’s more alcohol, more snacks, more finger foods and appetizers that are energy dense.”

Since we have a little bit of time between now and Christmas, I’ve decided to use this as an opportunity to get back on track. I wondered if a few of you might be feeling the same as me so I thought I would share with you some of my favorite detoxing after indulging tips.

• Get up and get moving. You may be groggy after the extra calories of the last few days, but the sooner you get up and get moving around, the better. Wear a pedometer if it helps you keep track of your steps. Take the stairs at the office. Park at the end of the parking lot. Just move!
• Get a little raw. Start your day with my raw Spinalicious Shake! Let me tell you, it is a wonderful thing. Fill your blender with raw spinach, add a banana, some nut milk (you can find this in the health food section of your grocery store or use soy or coconut milk), 1 cup of frozen berries (I like strawberries), and 1 tablespoon of agave nectar. Blend all the ingredients on high speed until very well blended. Add more nut milk if needed to get the right consistency. This shake tastes great, is filling, and will get your day started with a dose of energy! If you need a disguise, drink it in a dark cup…with a straw. Trust me, it tastes better than it looks!
• Breathe. At least 3 times throughout the day, do some deep breathing exercises. My favorite goes like this: Breathe in slowly to the following count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and then breathe out to the count of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Next breathe in to the count of 2, 2, 3, 4 5; breathe out to the count of 2, 2, 3, 4, 5. Next, breath in to the count of 3, 2, 3, 4, 5; breathe out to the count of 3, 2, 3, 4, 5. Do this until you’ve worked all the way up through all 5 sets of numbers. You’ll be surprised what a calming effect this can have on you.
• Stay hydrated by drinking water or maybe some green tea!
• An apple a day. Actually, make that two! Eat an apple before lunch and another one before dinner. A Pennsylvania State University study showed that when people eat an apple before a meal, their overall calorie intake is less.
• Brush your teeth! I’ve read that people who brush their teeth after meals eat less, and I think it works. There’s something about the change in flavor in your mouth that signals it’s time to stop eating.

Overall, my goal is to take advantage of the times when I can stay healthy over the next 30 days. I know there’s going to be dinners, receptions, parties, and treats; and I plan on enjoying myself. But I’m going to be as healthy as I can when I’m not at those dinners or parties. I’ll eat raw salads for lunch or simple bowls of soup so I can keep it all in check. I have a friend who used to be a personal trainer and she says that it’s not what you eat in one day that matters; it’s about staying in balance with what you’re eating over the span of a few days. So, if you overeat some at that Sunday evening dinner, just take it easy on Monday. And another favorite thing I like to remind myself, it’s not about your weight between Thanksgiving and New Year’s that matters as much as your weight between New Year’s and Thanksgiving.

Do you have any favorite holiday healthy tips?