What’s done is done. There’s no going back. If you feel like you ate right and exercised yesterday, give yourself some praise. If you’re disappointed in how you ate, let it go. It’s time to move on and get back on track. Life’s too short.

If you have a long weekend, use it to get in a little more exercise. If you’re staying with family, gather a group and go for a long walk. Chat with each other and the time will pass quickly. Or pull out an ancient exercise video–preferably one from the 80’s with Raquel Welch or Richard Simmons. See if you and your family can do it with a straight face. First one to laugh has to run around the house three times or do one set of push-ups. Make exercise fun and do it with the ones you love. It’s good for everyone.

Or, try pulling your belly button to your spine. That is always a good way to engage muscles and start thinking about your body and what it needs.

Sometimes Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t provide a number of healthy alternatives. You can change that. Bring a side that you know won’t be smothered in butter or swimming in cream. String beans are easy. So are carrots if they aren’t typical at your feast.

Bring a fruit salad to serve at dessert. A fruit salad is no pumpkin pie, but if it will calm your sweet tooth, you may actually make it through Thanksgiving without feeling like your are the stuffed turkey.

If you’re thinking I must be crazy, it’s Thanksgiving and you’re going to splurge, think of other ways you can stay a little healthier. Put your fork down between every bite. Don’t eat any finger foods served in advance so you can eat a little more of the Thanksgiving meal you love.

Do some exercises at the table. Squeeze one glute (butt muscle) and then the other. Squeeze your quads to straighten your legs, hold while you chew a bit, then release. It will all be under the table so no one will notice. If you’re close with your dinner guests, get them to […]

Committing to a goal in advance is always helpful. Most people tend to overeat on Thanksgiving because there is so much in front of us, everything tastes good, and we are distracted by family and friends so we don’t even notice how much we’ve eaten. So today, decide in advance how you will reduce your caloric intake on Thanksgiving.

Here are some ideas. You don’t have to do them all, pick one or two that work for you. If you make a commitment to yourself in advance, you’re more likely to follow through on Turkey Day!

• Only have one desert. (Or if there are multiple and you can’t decide which to have, have three small pieces of each that together will equal the size of one piece.)

• Pick one food you won’t eat. Can you pass on the bread, the stuffing, the gravy, the turkey, or the potatoes? Don’t pass on the veggies. If you’re really good and know you have willpower pass on the dessert.

• Don’t drink anything but water on Thanksgiving.

• Don’t have seconds of anything.

• Look up calories. Do you not care whether you have white […]

During the holiday season it is easy to get off track. Starting this week until Jan 1, it can be a struggle to eat healthy and find time to exercise. So this week instead of our typical Exercise of the Week and Office Pilates, we’re giving tips on how to stay on track, especially on Thanksgiving Day. Check back here whenever you know you’re going to a festivity where there will be a lot of food and high caloric drinks…

Tip One:

Find Time to Exercise and You Will Feel Better!

I know it sounds like added stress, but if this Thanksgiving you can fit in some exercise, you’ll be glad you did. There are a lot of fun ways to do this:

• Sign up for the Manchester Road Race. People say it’s a blast. You can even dress up!

• Get your Family to go for a Walk between dinner and dessert. It will make everyone will feel better.

• Start a Tradition of a Thanksgiving Morning Walk. Throw the turkey in the oven and then get everyone out. You’ll get fresh air when you’re typically bottled up […]