437: Thanksgiving Run-Down: Gratitude, Guilt, and Navigating the Holidays

This week’s episode is all about something we all need a little more of—gratitude, grounding, and giving ourselves grace through the holidays.With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we’re diving into simple, practical ways you can weave gratitude into your running and daily life. Not in a “force yourself to be grateful” kind of way, but in a gentle, real, “let’s slow down and notice what’s good” way. From a 30-second pre-run gratitude pause to a post-run cool-down chat with yourself, these tiny practices can completely shift your mindset, your training, and honestly… how you feel about your body.We also talk openly about something many runners struggle with but don’t always discuss—holiday food anxiety. The pressure, the comments, the guilt, the urge to “earn your food”… we’re not doing that this year. I walk you through how to approach holiday meals with more compassion, less fear, and a lot more presence so you can actually enjoy the season without feeling like you’re betraying your goals or your body.And because consistency can get tough this time of year, we share strategies to help you stay connected to your training without feeling rigid or overwhelmed. Spoiler: flexibility and grace are part of the plan.We also introduce our brand-new 30-Day Running Reset inside the new RLR app, built to help you rebuild your foundation, reconnect with your body, and fit running, strength, and mobility into real life—even during the busiest season. The app makes it easy, doable, and supportive, so you don’t have to figure things out alone.As always, we close with a huge dose of gratitude for you—our community. You’re the reason this podcast continues to grow, and it means the world when you leave a review or share the show with another runner who might need it.Take a breath, take a moment, and let’s step into this holiday season grounded and grateful—together.01:28 The Power of Gratitude06:19 Gratitude in Running13:45 Thanksgiving Food Anxiety22:09 Reprogramming Your Relationship with Food22:27 Fueling Your Body for Performance24:32 The Myth of Ketogenic Diets for Athletes25:39 Enjoying Holiday Meals Without Guilt27:55 Training Through the Holiday Season33:49 Maintaining Consistency and Identity as a RunnerGain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secretJoin the Team! -->  https://www.realliferunners.com/team Thanks for Listening!!Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!Come find us on Instagram and say hi! Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.