5 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY THANKGSIVING

For many people, Thanksgiving is the cold season's 4th of July.   It is all about food, relaxing, friends, and family. However, just like the 4th, it is a holiday that can leave you feeling bloated and sluggish.

Here are five tips to help you feel more lively this holiday!

1. Get moving before and after your main meal.

Exercise will help control your hunger and your appetite.  I'm often surprised at how exercising helps take away my cravings.  If you're in need of further convincing, check out this article.

 

2. Hydrate

Drinking water has been shown to support weight loss.  Now, we're not all out to lose weight, but drinking water helps everyone feel more energetic.  Just like exercise, drinking water (notice I didn't include other beverages) helps control hunger and cravings.  Other benefits of hydration can be found in this  article.

 

3. Plan Ahead

We all have our favorite parts of the Thanksgiving feast.  If every item is your favorite, skip this tip.  However, for me, I know I could skip the stuffing and the green bean casserole and not even be phased.  Think ahead about what you are going to be eating.  Pick one or two favorites to really enjoy, and go easy (or skip) some of the other things.  I will most definitely be savoring my pumpkin pie!

4. Pay attention to your nutrition and exercise before the holiday.

Your body doesn't know Thanksgiving from the day before or the day after.   Invest some extra thought into what you are eating and your activity levels in the days preceding Thanksgiving.  You will feel better knowing that you've been living healthily all week.

5. Enjoy yourself & focus on the holiday.

Contrary to popular belief, Thanksgiving (or any other holiday) isn't about the food.  Enjoy the food, yes.  But also enjoy your loved ones.  Spend the day focusing on celebrating those things you are grateful for.  Don't fall into the trap of over-analyzing every food decision you make, and ruining your holiday as a result. 

What are your Thanksgiving plans?

THANKFUL 13

As you know, I am running a half marathon on Thanksgiving morning.  I am really excited.  I've done a 5k on Thanksgiving before, and I think this will be equally as great.

As part of the race, you can choose to submit a list of 13 things you are thankful for.  They are using the lists submitted by runners to create signs along the course.

I am thankful for a lot more than just 13 things, but here is a list of some of the things I am most thankful for.


1.) My marriage

Putting into words your gratitude for your spouse and your marriage is a difficult thing.  There is no way to sum up a happy, fulfilling marriage without becoming trite.  But, if I had to, I'd say...

There is no greater peace than knowing that whatever life faces you, you'll have your best friend by your side. All the small things, like our weekly Sunday walks, add up, creating so much peace and happiness.

Looking back, I sometimes think, I got married at twenty! Holy cow! I know it could have been a disaster.  Marriages fall apart all the time.  But for some reason I got blessed, and for that I am so grateful.

2.) My parents

 

I have learned so much from my parents.

My mother is generous and cheerful.  She taught me how to work hard, and how to be a powerful woman.  She would give anything to help her children.

My dad is more reserved, like me.  He is thoughtful and has always encouraged me to be my best self.  He doesn't need much to make him happy.  He is very active, and has influenced me to live a healthy, active life, too.

I know my parents are always there for me.

3.) My siblings.

It is funny how your relationships with your siblings change as you grow older.  I appreciate my siblings so much more now than I ever did when I was younger.

Watching them all get married and start having families has made our family even more fun.  I know I can share my thoughts, worries, and concerns with them.  I know they care and are interested in my life. 

4.) My faith

My beliefs motivate me to do better, to be more loving, and to become my best self.  I believe God loves me.

 

5.) My health

Your health is one of the only things you carry from one day to the next, year in and year out. It is one of the surest investments.  I am so grateful for a body that can run.  I am grateful I am mentally healthy.  I am grateful I have energy and am not limited by my health or fitness.

6.) The beautiful world

There are few things that center me more than going for a walk or run, listening to the leaves rustling and the birds twittering.  

7.) A good book

I don't know who this guy is, but he said it perfectly:

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies...The man who never reads lives only one.”
― George R.R. Martin,

7a: My Kindle

7b: The library

7c: Barnes & Noble -- Is it weird that going to Barnes and Noble and sitting in their couches flipping through books is one of our favorite dates?

8.) A stable job

My job takes a lot out of me, and like most jobs, I don't always love it, but there are wonderful days.  More than anything, I am grateful that I have a stable job.  It has made it possible for us to be debt-free and financially stable.

9.) Duncan

Duncan is by no means a perfect dog.  He can be quite a handful, but look at him!  He is so precious.  He is taking a nap with Clayton as we speak.

10.) Good food

My current favorites: Rubio's, Red Mango, green smoothies, banana with peanut butter, anything pumpkin, honeycrisp apples...yum!

11.) Time.

Thank goodness we have time to live.  We have time to develop ourselves.  We have time to explore different interests.  We have time to work and time to play.  I always feel like I'm short on time, but I am grateful for the time I do have.

12.) Creativity

Source

I have found in the last few months that I am happiest when I am using my creativity.  I am trying to figure out how I can use more of my creativity in my daily life.

Am I the only person who gets excited by a brand new pack of markers or crayons.  Oh the possibilities!

I have two packs of markers like this on my desk at work.  I am always looking for an excuse to use them.

13.) Quiet time

I need time to think, to breathe, and to settle.  That is half the reason I love running so much.  My thoughts flow freely and settle themselves without me having to wrestle through it all.  I feel like my life is so busy already, and I know it is only going to get busier when we have children, so I am enjoying my quiet time now.

What are you grateful for?

How will you be celebrating Thanksgiving? 

PIONEER DAY TEMPLE TO TEMPLE 5K

Happy Pioneer Day!  Pioneer Day is a Utah holiday that celebrates the day the Mormon pioneers entered Utah valley after being forced to leave Nauvoo, Illinois and traveling with handcarts and covered wagons across the country.

I never celebrated Pioneer Day growing up, because I didn't grow up in Utah.  Here, though, it is celebrated much like the Fourth of July.  There are parades, barbeques, and fireworks.

When I signed up for the Big Cottonwood Half Marathon, I began looking for other races to scatter amid my training runs.  I don't have running companions, and I get sick of the same routes, so running in races is a good way to break things up.