Pretty soon, many of us in the United States will be sitting down to a very large meal. We've made it through the summer planting, stored food for the winter, and now it's time for the harvest feast. It's also a time to be thankful for our blessings.

Let this Thanksgiving be a time to commit ourselves to a new activity that helps others who are less fortunate—and stimulates us to realize our full potential. This will take energy, strength, and a healthy mind and body. Make the Thanksgiving day part of your new program! Here are some tips:

1. Start exercising before Thanksgiving. It will help you burn calories faster when you eat the big meal, and it's not going to be easy to start an exercise program after you've indulged.

2. Have a good breakfast on Thanksgiving Day. What? Isn't that the opposite of what I should do? Shouldn't I "save space" for the big dinner? If you skip breakfast, you'll be starving to death when the big meal finally comes (it's always later than planned) and you'll overeat. Have three meals, even on Thanksgiving.

3. Drink lots of water throughout the day. It will help you cut back on the beer or wine you might have with the meal, will curb your appetite, and help you digest the meal.

4. Snack on celery, carrots, broccoli and other veggies before the big meal—maybe with a low cal dip—instead of nuts, chips, crackers, cheese and high fat dip. You'll stave off a little of your hunger with food that is high in nutrients, high in fiber, and low in calories.

5. Cook steamed, sautéed, or roasted vegetables instead of creamed vegetables.

6. Plan on having the meal early in the day, and set aside some of the Thanksgiving dinner for later in the day. Just spacing the amount of food that you'd like to eat in one sitting over two feeding times will be helpful.

7. Oh yes, enjoy the meal! Eat slowly and savor all the tastes. Make it a sensual experience. It will put you in touch with your body and you might tend to eat more healthfully.

8. Don't talk about politics on Thanksgiving. Instead talk about things we have to be thankful for!


Robert Fellows speaks on "High Level Wellness," "The Power to Manage Stress & Change," "The Magic of Humor," and "An Entertaining Look at Work-Life Balance." For more info, send an e-mail, or call us at 612-925-4090.