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 […]

Laughing works the core and makes you feel good. That’s just two good reasons to laugh today. Plus it’s Friday. That should put a smile on your face.

Get together with some friends or your family and do something that will make you laugh–go see a movie (comedy, ideally), hit up one of Connecticut’s comedy clubs or, keep it cheap and get together to play charades or another board game.

Balderdash is a fun game for a good laugh. You get to make up the definition of strange sounding words.

Think of an activity that made you laugh until your stomach hurt and try to get others to join you. Have funny laughing your heart out.

We’ve seen a lot of grey days this November and it’s only the beginning of the winter season. While November started out warm, it’s been getting colder. If you’re starting to feel down from all the darkness or still haven’t adjusted to the fact that it’s dark by 5pm, you’re not alone.

You could be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). People experience SAD to varying degrees during the winter months. SAD can make you feel tired and crave sweets. If you know you tend to get stuck in a rut during the winter months, make a pact with yourself early this season.

When the going gets tough and you don’t feel like making it to a fitness class, force yourself to get up and get moving. You know the difference between when you really need a break and when you just don’t feel like it. Believe it or not, forcing yourself when you don’t really want to is a good habit–at least when it comes to exercise. Once you’re there you are likely to have a good time. Plus, you’ll feel better afterward. When you […]