Healthy Tips for Yom Kippur

The Jewish holiday Yom Kippur is this week starting on Tuesday, and whether you are celebrating or not, it can offer all of us an opportunity to learn from our past mistakes and move forward with optimism and a new healthy plan. Yom Kippur is about atoning for the wrongs we have done in the past, but it is also about moving past the regret by committing to change. Sometimes, all we need is a fresh start to fill us with motivation and get us back on track – so take advantage of this holiday.

For those of you who will be fasting, start preparing now. Really make sure you are drinking plenty of water in the next day and a half and try to avoid caffeinated drinks – if you are a usual coffee or soda drinker, being deprived of caffeine on top of being dehydrated won’t be easy, so try and cut back now to make things go a little smoother for you. Don’t overeat or eat too much right before the fast – this actually won’t help you. Continue to eat your meals and snacks the way you normally do. Tomorrow, start with a breakfast high in fiber and protein like Greek yogurt or whole wheat break with peanut butter and banana. Protein is great for before the fast, and also try and choose foods that are lower in sodium (having a lot of sodium will just make you thirstier), such as an egg white omelet with vegetables (which can also have a lot of fiber) or quinoa and vegetables. 

Once the fast is over, take it slow when you start to consume food and drinks again. Start with water and slowly sip on your first cup – if you take things too quickly the sudden intake of water will dilute your blood and you could feel dizzy. Next try having something light and hydrating like grapes or an apple. When you are ready to have a meal, you might be craving carbs so try some good carbohydrates with protein like light tuna salad with 2 Ak Mak crackers or rice cakes with salad. Add some healthy white fish or chicken. Continue to hydrate with water all night. Even if you are indulging for this meal, try to choose foods that you don’t eat al the time. Pick the choices that are presented only once a year. And don’t try and fit all your meals and snacks you missed during the day into one evening. It will just overload your stomach and make you feel nauseous.

One last thought…Wedneday is a great day to reflect on making better choices. Do you really want to start the year overloading on bagels and French toast? Or is it time for a change and to begin with a healthy commitment to yourself and your family? You eat clean after a fast you will really make the fast work for you in a positive and healthy way. You cleanse and the replenish with healthy, clean choices. It will give you a jump start into your weight loss journey of being healthy and fit. More importantly, you will start with a true commitment to yourself and your body. You reflected, atoned, and you will begin feeling healthy, light, fit and committed to change. The importance of the holiday is that you reflect and atone but also that you have learned from your mistakes. In order for us to be better we need to learn from the past to have a brighter and positive future. This holiday is a great opportunity to give yourself a clean slate not only for the week but for your entire weight loss journey. Take care of yourself and have a happy and safe holiday!

“DISCIPLINE IS CHOOSING BETWEEN WHAT YOU WANT NOW AND WHAT YOU WANT MOST”

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

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