Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist but also in the ability to start over. 
—F. Scott Fitzgerald

Are you feeling rather guilty and bloated from overindulging this Thanksgiving Holiday? If so, it’s time to drop the guilt and move on. No amount of self-recrimination will undo the damage that has already occurred. Let it go!

Today is a new day and a new beginning.

Beating yourself up over your behavior increases your shame and guilt which leads right back to the food to numb out uncomfortable feelings. Instead, practice compassion and self-forgiveness, which lightens your load immediately and gets you back on track.

Compassion for yourself means accepting that you're only human and despite your best intentions, you won’t ever eat perfectly, especially when confronted with a smorgasbord of tempting choices.

Remember - you're a mere mortal, and as such, you won’t always make the best choices, but that doesn’t make you a bad person.

A day or two, or even a long week-end of overindulgence, doesn’t have to ruin a healthy eating plan. You can balance it out by what you eat during the rest of the week.

Here are a few tips to get back on track after a few days of overeating or even a binge:

1. Stay away from the scale. You’re probably bloated. A day of overeating won’t show up on the scale.
2. Don’t try to diet or skip meals. This will lead to becoming ravenous and overeating.
3. Eat only when hungry and eat smaller, more frequent meals.
4. Don’t try to make up for it by over-exercising. Keep to your existing exercise routine.
5. Eat meals that are high in protein with lots of fruits and vegetables for high fiber and fullness.
6. Make a pot of soup. Have that for some of your meals during the week.
7. Eat your meals at home and bring your lunch to work the rest of the week. You won't be as tempted to keep overeating.
8. Drink plenty of water.