What do skinny people do on Thanksgiving?

jteammom

I am not a particularly anxious person, but I am getting a little nervous about Thanksgiving this year. I have been doing pretty well with my calorie count, but I tend to limit my choices. You darn well there will be lots of choices on Thanksgiving. And to make matters worse, we will be out of town for a whole week, starting with a college football game on Saturday. Help!!!!!

I have been trying to think like a thin person. You know, those people who don't obsess about food and who actually stop eating before they are stuffed. Those folks who can leave uneaten food on their plates and not even blink. I don't want to deny myself while we are gone, and I don't want to call attention to myself and my calorie counting either. But I don't want to get off track. I know I need to keep telling myself...portion control...portion control...portion control, but then I am still obsessing about food.

Suggestions? Advice? Ideas? I don't want to spend the entire week thinking about what I am not eating. What has worked for you?

FunkBunny

I thin that people who don't obsess about food don't worry about T-day either. They probably have a sampling of everything, eat too much and still get over full. And they don't worry about it because one meal will not ruin what habit of healthy portioning the rest of the time has done for them.

mrslawson2006

Well, i am a lil nervous about Thanksgiving also. What I think I am going to do is eat myself a nice breakfast, then have a snack in between breakfast and it is time to for Thanksgiving. Just watch what I eat.. I will deff. be excersing the whole. I dont know if that is much help to you. I also was wondering the same thing about Thanksgiving comming up. Well good luck wiith everything.

yellowfairy

Since it is a holiday-I know I will be over-but I plan to be reasonable about it. I will take a spoonful of the items-and a reasonable size-instead of the HEAPING three or four I normally would have taken. For example-I do plan on having those cheesy potatos, but just the spoonful. And, not the serving size spoon either, just the tablespoon:) That is my plan-hope that helps some.

Krizzle4Rizzle

I'm pretty nervous about Thanksgiving as well. I'm going to my boyfriend's parents house. They are very country and cook with loads of butter and fat.

So what I decided to do was

1. Eat before I go, so I won't be as hungry
2. Bring a big healthy salad with low fat dressing. Enough for everyone.

I thought I could load up on salad and just have very small portions of everything else.

sallyLunn

You always take a big old walk on Thanksgiving, then, you just eat. I personally try (TRY) not to overfill my plate by taking to much of anything. Also, have a veggie platter somewhere on the table so that when you are sitting around the table drinking coffee or something, you pick at the celery instead of the stuffing. (at this point you are already full, its just that everything smells so wonderful.)

Enjoy yourself, its one day. The trick is to stay out of the leftovers the next couple of days. That's what will get you.

ChubbieTubbie

I thin that people who don't obsess about food don't worry about T-day either. They probably have a sampling of everything, eat too much and still get over full. And they don't worry about it because one meal will not ruin what habit of healthy portioning the rest of the time has done for them.

I agree with this!

christymathatas

I have been thinking about Thanksgiving with some trepidation for the past week. I haven't been losing weight at Thanksgiving time before, but I think my plan is to have a LITTLE of everything. That way it doesn't call attention to my calorie counting and I won't feel like I'm denying myself. Also, if the days leading up to Thanksgiving are good days then I will get full when I'm supposed to and hopefully not really want to eat too much. That's my plan. GOOD LUCK!


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sabrinafaith

Take a walk before and after dinner. Eat turkey breast with no skin and very little stuffing, lots of veggies, and have a smaller piece of pie, like half a normal serving. Also, since you are going to have a really big dinner, don't snack earlier and only have lighter meals. I find that kind of planning works best, since I know I'm not going to be able to avoid the calorie splurge later!

kayemme

maybe on thanksgiving we could try to be thankful.

thank each item on your plate and trace back the method it took to get there. thank it all the way back to the soil, air and water. by the time you're done being thankful, you can eat graciously.

MsElphaba

Don't worry. Don't obsess. Enjoy the day. Limit yourself to one plate and reasonable portions. Take a walk with family. Friday is another day.

Healthyby30

I'm going to start my day out the same. Get my normal breakfast in, workout, snack, water, etc. My family usually eats around 1pm or so, so before I head over to my parents house I'm planning on having a nice veggie salad. Baby spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, etc. Also drinking lots of water. Then for the Thanksgiving meal, I'm going to have what I want, but I'm going to just take a few tablespoons of each item (especially the high calorie ones) Remember turkey is good for us! Have an extra serving of that if you want! No skin, of course! But I'm going to load up on veggies and if there is something I normally wouldn't eat I'll just have a tiny bit. I am definitely having a slice of pumpkin pie though...a small one.

I'm not going to obsess about it. I'm going to enjoy myself and eat what I want, just limit my portion sizes.

I know some people are just going to go all out and use it as a cheat meal. Do what feels right for you. One large meal will not mess up everything you've done, especially if you're good all week and get right back to it! Just drink some extra water and who knows you might not be as hungry as you think!

hmrtym

I use a smaller plate. That way I cannot fit too much! And even if I want to go back for seconds, I feel like I can. Do your research before hand so you know serving sizes and calories that go along with it. I think that stands for everyday use too. Plan your day and you will do great!

Phoenix_Rising

Aww, my dear ladies!!!

First -- (((HUGS)))

There is NO NEED TO WORRY.

Remember - ONE SINGLE DAY OF BAD EATING WILL NOT MAKE YOU GAIN BACK EVERY POUND YOU'VE LOST!

Let me tell you what I do. (And I don't consider myself 'skinny' by any means, but I have lost almost 50 lbs in the last 2 or 3 years.... slowly... but I've kept it off!)

Load up on the healthier foods. The turkey. The green beans (if they are more plainly cooked), corn, peas, veggies. That stuff.

Have one roll. Have one reasonable sized scoop of mashed potatoes. Have a scoop of stuffing.

Make that plate a spoonful of everything offered. Don't deny yourself what you like! Portion control it.

Drink water before the meal. Drink water with the meal. Sit and chat DURING the meal. Eat it slowly.

When dessert comes, have it all. I have a piece of everything I like. A SMALL taste. Try to get 3 or 4 bites worth of all the tasty stuff.

Why deny?? You can CONTROL yourself not to pig out on the good stuff. YOU CAN DO IT. You are strong enough!!!!

If you think you are still hungry and you have eaten slowly, go back for seconds. Again, larger servings of healthier foods, small portions of the tasty high calorie foods.

YOU CAN DO THIS.
You are strong.
Food does NOT control you.
Don't deny yourself a wonderful meal cooked for a thankful occasion full of family and friends.
Calmly and rationally make your plate.
Enjoy it.
Thanksgiving only comes once a year.

After the meal, try to take a walk.
If you can't, don't sweat it.

It's one meal.
One. Single. Meal.

No worries, dears!!!

MsElphaba

OH, and P.S don't let yourself be guilted into taking leftovers home unless it's turkey or veggies. BTW, see if you can snag the turkey caracass to make your own turkey stock!

Chelle_D

We actually discussed this in my last Weight Watchers meeting. I won't lie... I'm nervous. It's really hard not to want to fill my plate full of everything on the table. But I've just decided I'm going to pick those foods that mean "Thanksgiving" the most to me (not the ones I can have any old day), and I'll eat slowly, and just do the best I can. In the end, all you can do is be smart about my choices, enjoy my family and friends, and not nibble and taste all day like I always do.

And if I don't do as well as I would have liked, it's just one day, and I'll get back on the wagon the next.

CricketKate

I try to bring healthy alternatives (if I'm contributing to the meal). I'll make two jello salads, one regular and one sugar free. I'll be bringing a pumpkin cake and a sugar free crustless pumpkin pie. Eat as healthy as you can and use moderation on the treats that you just can't pass up.

adrienc

I thin that people who don't obsess about food don't worry about T-day either. They probably have a sampling of everything, eat too much and still get over full. And they don't worry about it because one meal will not ruin what habit of healthy portioning the rest of the time has done for them.

Could'nt agree more - just enjoy Thanksgiving, Christmas and all those big dinners that gather all the family together. There's nothing more important in life than being happy and spending time with your family

amandabrady

I come from a family who doesn't really obsess over anything to do with diet and exercise. I try to eat healthy, and I enjoy working out. With my average daily routines, of course I steer myself in the right direction and maintain good habits, but you know what? Thanksgiving should be a day of thanks, and celebration. Not something that stresses you out and makes you nervous. Why suck the fun out of it? You don't need to eat everything, but eat what you want. My mom makes food for Thanksgiving that I won't get to have for the rest of the year, and I'm not missing out on that. Enjoy yourself. If you're really concerned with the calorie splurge, go for some walks, or exercise that morning to get your metabolism going. Drink lots of water, and have fun. Sometimes I think we spend so much time freaking out about stuff like this that we miss out on the things that matter most. Hope this helps you out, and I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

mixmastermolly

I always try to think of the way my family and friends eat that are thin. They don't "diet". They eat what they want and when they want and I find it hard to believe that only genetics would play a role...especially when my sister is thin. What I notice is...they do eat what they want but they stop when they are full. I hadn't been an overeater until the last few years when stress started to impact my life. I realized that I was eating whether I was hungry or not out of boredom or because I felt stressed. Remember to eat larger portions of raw vegetables and fruits and take smaller portions of everything else. It's ok to have an off day as long as you remember it's one day. EAT SLOWLY! Sometimes on holidays we wait so long to eat that we are ravenous once the meal starts. Take a bite and put down your fork. The habit of eating slowly helps you digest and makes it less likely that you'll overeat. If you know you want pie after dinner then don't make heaping portions on your dinner plate. Also, drink water before the meal. This will limit the likelihood of you overeating, also.

fitnesspirateninja

I'm planning on bringing a nice healthy salad and probably a veggie plate with hummus. I'm not denying myself food, just keeping it in moderation. My plate will be half veggies, a quarter protein, and a quarter carbs. I'm making a non-dairy pumpkin pie (my nephew and I can't have milk products) and I'm having a slice because I love pumpkin pie!

We had a Thanksgiving dinner for my mom's birthday and I stayed within my calories that day so I know I can do it again next week.

superwmn

Skinny people listen to their bodies.

They eat when they are hungry, so they didn't starve in preparation for the holiday meal.

They take only what appeals to them most, and just a small serving (knowing that if they have room they can always have more).

They enjoy all the foods the holidays have to offer, but in moderation, and only on THE DAY of the holiday.

They stop when they are full.

They recognize that 'it is just food' and 'they'll see all this food again in their lives' so there's no need to gorge.

amandalc980

When I was younger we used to play football while the turkey cooked. Maybe you can get your family out for a friendly game.

Also, portions. Yes Aunt Patty makes the BEST ambrosia salad, but no need for it to take up two thirds of the plate. Skip on the rolls, those you can have anytime. Focus on the "special" things that you really only get once a year and keep the portions smaller.

Oh and Seconds of the pumpkin pie please!!! (obviously I am not one of the skinny people)

ProTFitness

This what I personaly have been doing for a while now when it comes to holiday meals. I always workout hard! Whether it is at home or I go to the gym( yes my gym is open) I eat my normal 300-400 calorie breakfest and morning snack depending what time I get up. Generally the meals I attend are between 12-2pm so that I plan as lunch. If I am unsure of the veggies or potatoe at the meal I will take my own. Yes this may sound anel but I do it. My family gets it!. If there is squash there I will eat that insead of the potatoe becasue it has more sugar in it. SO here is what my meal usual looks like on Turkey day. I eat about 4-6 oz of white turkey meat no skin, squash and green veggie( this I will probably take my own, broccoli or green beans).

I stay aways from Rolls, Casseroles, things made with lots of butter or heavy creams ect. I always plan that my afternoon snack will probably be a piece of pie. This is usually pumpkin. I usually make it. I have made a sugar free one with out crust but the reciepe I have used calls for Splenda and I have taken all artifical sweetners out. So not sure if I will just make a regular one and use non fat condensed milk.


So plan ahead

Don't go hungry!
Plan!
Portion control!

Have a Great Thanksgiving

ISSA Cerified Fitness Trainer and Beachbody coach

Natural

drink a ton of water before your meal and eat out of a saucer, not a plate.

Suedre

I'm eating. There is no way I'd miss the once a year treats from my mom's kitchen. I know I won't have to, but I'd be willing to burn a whole pound in the gym for just a taste of the chicken and dumplings!

I'm more concerned about this weekend. I'm going out of town and I always find myself in trouble when I'm on the road. My ability to make good decisions just does not exist!

Jessica68

Fill up on Salad first.

I'm going to make it a rule that my plate mus consist only of salad only and I must eat that all up first before I'm allowed to eat the rest of the meal. And make sure I have my own dresssing. That doesnt mean I still wont over eat - just hoping the salad fills me up enough to where I wont be a pig with my food selections.

Walking afterwards is a good choice too. Although i know some of us its hard to do with family visiting - but if you can, try and make that a part of your day.

turbojanem

here are a few things that may help:

have a thin person fix your plate when not eating at a restaurant. tell them your one favorite food, and let them fix your plate around that one food. they will make choices that are different then your LOVE foods, so you will be more apt to walk away from your plate before it is all gone. ask them to only put one veggie, one carb one protein and one dessert on your plate in proper portions. and be satisfied with that one.

use lunch size plates! we switched to them over a year ago. Husband is down 20 pounds, i'm down about 30. smaller plates and one serving really works!!!

when looking at food ask yourself...have i had that food before in my life? if yes, think about what it taste like. remember the way it taste. you don't need to taste it, you HAVE eaten it MANY times over the years.

keep your potatoes and meat limited to less than a palm full. if you NEED gravy to make the taders and stuffing moist, then drop all three of them....they aren't tasty and worth the calories.

have half a roll, or none since they will be white and not whole wheat.

when eating out....get someone to split a meal with you. chose vinegar on the side for your dressing. and use SMALL portions. enjoy the veggies, not the dressing. you can have TWO or THREE salads/veggies for the calorie count of ONE serving of dressing. look at the size difference. which one will fill you up, the cup of broccoli, or the tablespoon of salad dressing?

look at food as something to keep your body fueled, not a celebration. let your friends and family be your entertainment, not your food. AS SOON as you look at your food and think, i should stop eating....get rid of your plate. if you are in a restaurant and cant get someones attention, then move it out of arms reach, or pour salt (POUR) all over it so you won't be tempted.

and don't leave your working out at home. walk, run, do push ups, what ever you can!!! do SOMETHING!!!
cheering you on.

sallyLunn

I'm not going to lie to you. I'm going to eat everything and I'm going to smother it in gravy while I'm at it. I'm cooking and I am a damn fine cook and I don't get to cook that way that often. I'll worry about it Friday. (more like, I'll worry about it the following Tuesday, when its time to weigh in.)

a1schwei

i am planning on NOT wearing my loosest, most comfortable pants or a nice flowy top...i am going to wear jeans and a relatively form fitting top so that i don't have the temptation to eat until my gut sticks out because it would show big time and be uncomfortable...when i know that no one will be able to tell that i stuffed myself i tend to eat more
however i do plan to eat what i want as long as it is in moderation...i totally agree with those who advise to eat the stuff that you can't get all of the time, the special dishes that are 'seasonal' or specific to a certain family member...also we eat our thanksgiving dinner early afternoon so i know that what i don't get at lunch i can warm it up later in the day so i am less likely to over-fill my plate on my first round
all this thinking about thanksgiving is making me really hungry for turkey

rundgrenfan

Skinny people listen to their bodies.

They eat when they are hungry, so they didn't starve in preparation for the holiday meal.

They take only what appeals to them most, and just a small serving (knowing that if they have room they can always have more).

They enjoy all the foods the holidays have to offer, but in moderation, and only on THE DAY of the holiday.

They stop when they are full.

They recognize that 'it is just food' and 'they'll see all this food again in their lives' so there's no need to gorge.

This is so true!!