Healthy Ways to Get Back on Track after Thanksgiving

Are you feeling guilty about eating all that turkey and pie on Thanksgiving? Well, never fear - we'll help get you back on track with some fitness and health recommendations from Owner/Head Coach of CrossFit Detour and Fusion Fitness, Matt Arnold. I asked Matt a few questions and he had some real talk when it comes to a healthy lifestyle.

DT: What's the best way to get back on track after a Thanksgiving of pies and turkey?

MA: Get back on a routine right away even if you're lacking motivation and energy. It takes 21 days to create a habit. Having one off day doesn't mean you can just stop what you're doing! 

Some simple but effective things you can do for yourself before the holidays is take body measurements, weight, and before pictures to create some sense of accountability for yourself to stay on track even with all the hurdles you might have to avoid during the holidays. 

DT: Do you recommend detoxing or no? Why?

MA: I personally don't recommend detoxing because I believe it gives you a false narrative of where you're truly at. Long term progress = day to day consistency. Detoxing is a short-term fix.

DT: What's the ideal exercise people should do? Running? Elliptical?

MA: There's really no particular exercise that's ideal for people to do. Ideally, there's a lot of variance with your training from longer aerobic sessions, say 30 minutes on the treadmill at 70% of your max HR to some high intensity work to boost your metabolism.  The more the variance the better, just make sure that every effort in the gym is not wasted.

DT: What have you found is the best way to keep people motivated?

MA: First. I find that honesty is the best way to keep people motivated throughout the holiday season. Honesty with yourself, what might hold you back, and what you need to do to reach your goals is incredibly powerful and something a lot of people don't typically accept.

Second. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people or an accountability buddy is a tremendous tool to keep you focused and get after your goals.

DT: This is awesome! I feel motivated to do some planks in the snow already. I always ask this as my last question to people I interview. What's your favorite quote or inspiration?

MA: Britney Spears "You want a hot body, you gotta work b#%%". Hahah. I tell that to my members all the time.