Happy Thanksgiving!

If you eat just a light Thanksgiving meal this year with most of the traditional foods so many of us enjoy you could easily consume over a thousand calories! And all those calories could easily be accounted for before you even have that 2nd slice of pie! Is it any wonder so many of us take on a couple extra pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Don't let this happen to you!

The key to weight control is keeping energy intake (food) and energy output (physical activity) in balance. When you consume only as many calories as your body needs, your weight will usually remain constant. If you take in more calories than your body needs, you will put on excess fat. If you expend more energy than you take in you will burn excess fat.

Exercise plays an important role in weight control by increasing energy output, calling on stored calories for extra fuel. Recent studies show that not only does exercise increase metabolism during a workout, but it causes your metabolism to stay increased for a period of time after exercising, allowing you to burn more calories.

How much exercise is needed to make a difference in your weight depends on the amount and type of activity, and on how much you eat. Aerobic exercise burns body fat. An average adult would have to walk more than 30 miles to burn up 3,500 calories. ( That is the equivalent of about a single pound of fat. ) Although that may seem like a lot, you don’t have to walk the 30 miles all at once. Walking a mile a day for 30 days will achieve the same result, providing you don’t increase your food intake!

If you enjoy just 100 calories a day ( about 9 ounces of beer ) more than your body needs, you will gain approximately 10 pounds in a year. You could take that weight off, or keep it off, by doing 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily. The combination of exercise and diet is the quickest way to lose weight! And keep it off!

The Thanksgiving Feast!

Thanksgiving day is a great time to enjoy the autumn weather with those we love the most. Have fun outdoors – if the weather cooperates. Why not get in some good old fashioned exercise while you’re having fun! Burn some calories before you gather around the Thanksgiving table with your loved ones. Then burn off some more calories later!

Today is the perfect day to kick-start your calorie burners and build some muscles! Have fun while you exercise. Take your loved ones out for a nice stroll through nature. Or even a quick walk around the neighborhood! If you have a nice day to enjoy – get on your bike and pedal away some calories before the big feast.

Before you sit down to give Thanks for all the blessings you enjoy – drink a big glass of cold water! You’ll fill up sooner and still have some room to enjoy a big slice of that pecan pie you've been smelling all afternoon!

Then, after your big feast get outside again if you can and walk off some more of that wonderful meal you enjoyed!

The benefits are clear. People report more energy, better attitudes and way less stress when they get some exercise most days of the week.

You can enjoy a much better quality of life if you enjoy healthy eating habits and get a plenty of exercise. It's OK to cheat - or still have those tasty treats we all love. Moderation is the key! Have your pie and eat it too! Just try to avoid going back for seconds!

If weight loss is your goal – the quickest way to lose weight is with regular exercise and healthy eating habits! The results are clear – Start building muscles and eating healthy and you are on the right path to getting in shape fast!

Happy Thanksgiving

I was happy to get a serving of Mom's special stuffing. Then a small serving of mashed potatoes and gravy made my meal complete. I didn't care if about eating anything else - I had my two favorites. Rare treats - real mashed potatoes with homemade turkey gravy - simmered over a low heat and stirred continuously until it was time to put it on the table. Family traditions help make this special day even more so.

The leftovers are all tucked away in the ice-box by now. And the pumpkin pie is long gone. Mom's best stainless steel cookware has been lovingly washed - by hand - and put back in the cupboard. The football games are over. All the preparation, all the excellent dishes, and BAM - the feast is over. The day's fun and fellowship remind us what this great holiday is all about - gathering with loved ones. Sharing and giving Thanks.

Eating healthy was somewhat of a challenge today. It is Okay to cheat - every once in a while isn't it? That big scoop of whipped cream on top of that extra large slice of pumpkin pie could probably add an inch to my waistline! And it sure tastes good. How often do we get to enjoy such delicious deserts with the people we value most?

We have so much to be thankful for here in the USA. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Blessing

“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” Psalms 95:1-2

The next couple days will find many of us hurrying around to gather all the ingredients for another unforgettable Thanksgiving feast. We'll pick up last minute spices. Visit our favorite bakeries for all kinds of delicious goods. Last minute Turkeys and hams will practically fly out of the stores. Some of us will take the easy route and pick up a store-bought pie. And we'll be getting ready to prepare all of our family favorites.

Family tables are decorated with beautiful Thanksgiving decor. Many a table will soon be filled with great food and surrounded with good cheer. Family and friends enjoying this wonderful time of year. Giving Thanks for our countless blessings. We have so much to be grateful for - children to love, families to enjoy, and hopefully - good health.

This Thursday many a foodlover will get out our best stainless steel cookware and whip up delicious sauces, cranberries and vegetables, yams and mashed potatoes, delicious gravy. I'm anxiously awaiting all the fun dishes we get to cook in just a couple of days.

Eating healthy will be a challenge to many of this weekend. The plethora of pies, and goodies, and rich foods will please many a hungry palate. If this Thanksgiving finds you watching your waistline try drinking a tall glass of water before you eat. Some experts suggest eating an apple right before your meal. You'll eat less and feel better later. No worries - your favorite Pumpkin pie will still taste great on Friday! And who can pass up a nice big turkey sandwich made from leftovers while watching all the great football games this weekend?