Happy Thanksgiving

Today's health tip is simple. Spend at least as much time walking briskly as you spent lounging, snacking and eating your Thanksgiving meal.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Plan today for tomorrow

Create a strategy for a healthy Thanksgiving Day. Decide now when you're going to get physical activity tomorrow. Plan to have a healthy breakfast in the morning; you'll be less likely to overeat later. Pledge to put your fork down between bites of food. Limit liquid calories. Serve yourself sides with a teaspoon. Put your plan on paper and keep it in your pocket as a reminder.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Skip day

To help avoid Holiday weight gain, skip all sweet treats today, except whole, fresh fruit. Instead of reaching into the candy jar, have a small apple, then go climb up 3 flights of stairs. Skipping those calories today, will help balance some overeating on Thanksgiving.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Prevention plan

Prevent Thanksgiving weight gain by eating less at all other meals this week. If you normally have 2 beers after work, have just one, skip fries at lunch, 86 the mayo on your sandwich, pass on second helpings at dinner. Schedule yourself for 30 minutes to one hour of challenging physical activity every day; make it the one appointment you don't break. 

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Pears are plentiful

Buy a bagful this weekend to take to work on Monday for snacks or leave out in plain view at home. A medium pear (about 6 ounces) has about 100 calories, plus fiber and potassium. They're great fresh, diced and tossed in a salad, poached in wine, or baked to perfection.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Quit smoking

It's expensive. It stinks. It's bad for your health. It's bad for your loved ones. It's even bad for pets exposed to passive smoke. Quit or make a plan to quit smoking today during the 34th annual Great American Smokeout. Free help is available through the American Cancer Society.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Herbal remedy

Start an herb garden. Fresh herbs add flavor without fat and calories. Plus, gardening can be a fun, relaxing hobby, helping with stress management. Basil and rosemary are two easy plants to start with.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Don't forget to work out your brain

Find a new mind teaser and spend at least 15 minutes a day giving your brain a work out. It must be something new and challenging, not something you're already good at. This is National Memory Screening Day, part of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Schedule some fun

Make a date to go bowling. No, it's not aerobic, but it's more active than sitting on the sofa watching reruns. Besides, it's social and fun which helps fight depression, dementia and stress. If not bowling, walking or canoeing. The idea is to get up, get out and get connected.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Small steps to better health

Still not as physically active as you'd like? Start small. Today, walk to the corner and back. Tomorrow, walk for five minutes, then return, for a total of ten minutes. The next day walk for seven minutes, then return. Keep adding time and increasing your pace. Small steps lead to big benefits. 

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer