HOLIDAY GUILT CALLED.I SENT IT TO VOICEMAIL.

Hi, it’s Maria 👋—and because it’s Thanksgiving week, let’s go ahead and address the yearly nonsense we pretend is normal. Every year the same phrases show up like: “Better get a workout in before dinner…" “Better make room for those holiday calories!“I’ll burn it off tomorrow…”Let me be clear: the only thing I’m earning” on Thanksgiving is a spot on the

couch after Round 2 of dinner.

And while we’re being honest… You will never see me running a Turkey Trot. Ever. The only thing I’m trotting toward is a giant bowl of mashed potatoes — which is hilarious, because if you know me, you know I probably can’t even eat them thanks to my lovely little tummy issues. (But I still love the vibes.)

Look — I’m all about living a healthy, consistent lifestyle. Movement matters.

Nourishing your body matters. Taking care of yourself matters. But Thanksgiving is not the day to micromanage your body like it’s a science project.

The goal this week isn’t to track, earn, or justify anything. It’s to live in your body.

To show up fully. To enjoy the people around you. To eat the pie — not calculate how many minutes on the X-former it “equals.”

(And for the record, if you tried to do that math? It wouldn’t even make sense. We go slow. Time under tension doesn’t translate. And more importantly… it doesn’t need to.) Let me tell you how my Thanksgiving goes every year: I do Round 1 of Thanksgiving dinner around 3pm — everything you’re picturing on that plate is correct. Then I sit on the couch to

“digest” … which is really just my warm-up before going back for more food.

Then Round 2 around 5 or 5:30. And then dessert, because why would we not. And not once am I thinking about “making up for it.” Or “undoing it tomorrow.” Or anything that even resembles guilt.

Because that’s not the point of the day. The point is connection. Tradition. Gratitude. A moment to just be with your people without letting food steal the spotlight. If you want to move your body this week because it feels good, AMAZING. If you want to rest and spend time with your family, ALSO AMAZING. Both support your health.

So here’s your Thanksgiving reminder: You don’t need to earn your food. You don’t need to burn off your food. You don’t need to negotiate with your plate. You just need to be present.

Grateful.

And maybe a little stretchy-pants-comfortable. ✨ Healthy habits are built over time — not undone by one holiday meal. So enjoy your people, enjoy your day, and enjoy your plate. I promise… the only thing that needs trotting this week is the turkey.

From my core to yours,

Maria Stege, Founder & CEO, BARE Pilates Studio

…and that’s The Naked Truth.

Blog 11 (2).pdf

Download PDF • 3.98MB