Thanksgiving. One Week Later: 3 Ways To Keep Trimming Post-Turkey

It's been just over a week since that gluttonous gathering we call Thanksgiving.

Have you been traipsing around overwhelmed with guilt about the feasting that took place? Are your stretchy pants taking center stage in your closet this week?

Sure, it started with a simple sampling at the cheese tray, then you couldn't turn down that delicious pumpkin bread, and before you know it you're three dinner rolls deep and it's not getting better anytime soon. I call it "The Plunge" and trust me, it happens to the best of us.

Let me let you in on a secret: Losing weight is all about how you recover from major events like holidays, celebrations and vacations. "The Plunge" may be something that's totally unavoidable, and that's nothing to be shame-faced about. It's one of the most common dieting devils people face but there are tons of effective ways to move on with your head held high.

I'll have all the details in my book, coming in January, but in the meantime, here are just a post post-plunge tips:

Post-Plunge Penance:

• Hydrate! Yes, it may be uncomfortable, but the best thing you can do is douse your digestive system with water. Four liters and not a drop less. You'll be so full you won't even be able to think about eating anything else.
• Take a hiatus on the carbs. People don't gain weight from eating too much turkey; it's the bread and stuffing that gets in the way. Bread inevitably turns into an extra portion of potatoes, which then leads to a variety of desserts and before you know it you're in carbohydrate hell. Stick to protein and vegetables for the next few meals to get back on track. No carbs, no alcohol, no questions.
• No meal skipping! It's tempting after a "Plunge" to swear off food altogether. This will only lead to another plunge quicker than you can say "carbohydrate."

There are close to four weeks until the New Year and plenty of opportunities to lose weight now. Why wait until 2012 to start reaching your goal? Go into the holidays strong, and you can build on your good habits all winter long!

More details in my new book, "Bread Is The Devil" (St. Martin's Press), coming in January!

Want to read more tips and tricks? Go to my website, http://www.nu-train.com.

 

 

 

Follow Heather Bauer, RD, CDN on Twitter: www.twitter.com/heatherbauer_rd

Comments

[HerrMonk]

05:05 PM on 12/06/2011

First time I think I've seen recommendations here I pretty much agree with 100%.

[pslcitizen]

05:54 AM on 12/03/2011

Eat responsibly in the first place..

[HerrMonk]

05:11 PM on 12/06/2011

If people could do that 2/3+ of Americans wouldn't be fat.

[Giovanni Haertel]

04:19 PM on 12/02/2011

This advice is disappointing. The hydrate and embargo on meal skipping are sound, but nothing new. Such common information doesn't seem worth committing to text, but perhaps it helped someone. But no carbs? Seriously? Has the link between serotonin, the consumption of carbs, and weight loss not been documented enough? I mean, I'd understand if it were banning refined carbs but excluding complex carbs is bad advice.

[GOODDOC1]

07:23 PM on 12/02/2011

I have to agree.

[huffpostuser1]

01:53 PM on 12/02/2011

thanks for the advice. its too easy to wait until after the new year to make it a "resolution". no better day than today. thanks heather and looking forward to future posts.

[Karl Wilder]

11:56 AM on 12/02/2011

Wow...what earth shattering information.

[jaquelynny]

02:06 PM on 12/02/2011

yes i think so, glad you agree :-P