Thanksgiving

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jmo325
jmo325 Posts: 57
in Food and Nutrition
Ok, i'm really not trying to be Debbie Downer here or anything. But after reading several posts about what people are going to have for Thanksgiving, i feel like some people are being a little overdramatic. I've read posts that have said things like "I'm not going to throw away what I've worked so hard for just to lose it all in one day!" or "Why would I give up all this weight I've lost just for one day of cheating?" Umm... here's the deal. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GAIN ALL OF YOUR WEIGHT BACK IN ONE DAY. Granted, you might not lose any that week, but, chances are, you'll probably stay at the same weight for that week. Do a little extra at the gym that weekend or take smaller portions, but it is a holiday to be enjoyed. It's actually one of the few days of the year that revolves around delicious food, so why would you give it up? I won't be with my family this year and i would give ANYTHING to have my mom's turkey and potatoes. So what I'm saying is, don't let your diet get in the way of your life. Thanksgiving is only once a year and it's a time to be enjoyed. Don't act like it could be the end of the world for your weight loss.

Replies

  • cmsdives
    cmsdives Posts: 71
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    Smart Lady! Thanks for the wise words. (((Hugs))) to you since you can't be with your family. :cry:

    :flowerforyou:
  • goingwithgrace
    goingwithgrace Posts: 109 Member
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    I think it's the perfect challenge to use our new knowledge of food, portions, and balance in life. Anything not treated in moderation can't last. That's why fad diets fail. This is lifestyle, not extreme living. So I agree - stressing over TG is bad - especially since stress makes many people eat more. Relax, breathe, make good choices and have fun! :bigsmile:
  • crjugrl
    crjugrl Posts: 172
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    Agreed :drinker:
  • swilderm
    swilderm Posts: 2
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    I so agree :)
  • klill01
    klill01 Posts: 1
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    I AGREE! I was thinking about it and I was like maybe I'll just have the fruit... who am I kidding! I love thanksgiving! I don't think anyone should give it up for anything.. and besides if you were to give it up you might cave in later that day after seeing all the delicious food and binge when you get home on chips and junk instead of wholesome foods you would have gotten that day if you would have just eaten thanksgiving dinner.. you dont have to fill your plate up with everything take small portions so that way you get a taste of everything but you're not overindulging.. Good luck! :)
  • nellajane24
    nellajane24 Posts: 108 Member
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    Amen! I give myself one cheat meal every couple of weeks. If I didn't do this, I would probably go nutty! So I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner, pumpkin pie, whip cream and all!! Sorry you won't be with your family this year. That stinks! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving, all the same!
  • melliebee
    melliebee Posts: 187 Member
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    You are so right... The whole point of this is creating a lifestyle that is sustainable for the REST of your life.. this is not just a diet!!! For me, it is NOT sustainable to completely cut out food that I love! Being in control is what is important... I know its hard to have one chocolate and put the box down, but it is what you have to train yourself to do in order to keep the weight off for good!
  • sharonuk10
    sharonuk10 Posts: 277
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    Well said.. being an American but living in the UK. I still do the Turkey dinner for me and my husband. I will enjoy it this year as I always do. As I would love to be home in the USof A for Thanksgiving. I am not worried if I eat too much or not. Who cares.. pass the pumpkin pie please!!!
  • andeeinevansville
    andeeinevansville Posts: 98
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    I agree with you...My hubby and I are going out of town, just the two of us, so we will be going out to eat on Thanksgiving at the casino we are going to..I'm going to have a little of everthing I want. I won't have to worry about leftovers to tempt me and I will be doing alot of walking..Like you said, it's just one day and I know how many times I've gone off track, just to start over the next day... so at least if you plan for it you won't be disappointed in yourself..
  • jmo325
    jmo325 Posts: 57
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    Hey! My quarter of a century is March 25th!
  • angiemcgovern
    angiemcgovern Posts: 64 Member
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    I absolutely agree! We aren't going to be with our extended families this year so we have decided to eat out with no rules or restirctions. We will be able to get back on track the next day without leftovers (or dishes!) to worry about. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
  • elmct57
    elmct57 Posts: 594 Member
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    Even tho it irritates my parakeets, i will risk their wrath and do my cornish game hen version--just me for this year. And a slice of pumpkin pie, a mashed potato, the tiny amt of stuffing that will fit <G>, veggie, gravy and my cranberry relish and candied mac apple. And then i will trudge out for a long hike and give thanks and enjoy the scenery rather than napping and hear the neighbors cheers or moans about the college FB games as i go by... Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! :)
  • angiemcgovern
    angiemcgovern Posts: 64 Member
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    *restrictions (gah!!)
  • padbh
    padbh Posts: 40
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    my daugher is in her late 20's and is a perfect size 4, I am not. she is preparing thanksgiving dinner, and i asked her if we needed pies, she said she did not care she did not eat that sh**, I think i will , so the moral of the story? lol
  • amberchristi
    amberchristi Posts: 54
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    Totally agree - I refuse to give up my turkey stuffing for ANYTHING! I might not go back for seconds this year, but I'm still going to eat my holiday favorites - and that means potatoes, turkey, turkey stuffing and pumpkin spice bread.

    Portion control will be key, but I love Thanksgiving for everything it means - and that's good friends, close family, and great food. I think we all deserve it. Log your food, go to the gym an extra time that week, and MOVE ON!!

    :drinker:
  • Rynatat
    Rynatat Posts: 807 Member
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    Great Post! I definitely agree! I hear people at work at the Thanxgiving luncheon complaining they ate so much and blew their diets or it's going to be really hard to start any diets after the Holidays, yada yada yada... I tell them that they don't HAVE to eat everything that's there, take a little taste of things and keep it at the "satisfactory" level (I can't eat any of the foods due to Celiac's but I still control myself at my Mum's house where there is plenty of GF stuff so I don't feel stuffed!). They just tell me "because you're fit and thin you don't understand!" Uh - yea I do, I was there: I just put a leash, collar & harness on that beast to stop it from over taking my life and what I want! That & I did a lifestyle change/improvement, not a diet, and this is working SO much better :happy:

    What many forget is that there is no "rule" that says you HAVE to eat everything everyone brings and eat till your stomach explodes: the Holidays are to ENJOY with family and friends - no need to eat or drink yourself into oblivion. I know I'll probably eat a little more this Holiday season than I normally would - there'll be lots of food that I can eat & enjoy, but I know my portions and I remember a rule my Mum taught me decades ago:
    1 is for Hunger; 2 is for Taste; 3 is for Greed.
    I will eat for Hunger, and once in a while have a little extra for Taste, but I'll be damned if I turn to Greed!
    I also plan to work out just a little bit harder over the next month so I don't fall into the Fat Trap (something as simple as taking a walk after dinner for 30 mins or so added on top of my normal routine can actually offset some of the extra's).

    I wish all the Best to ALL MFP's this Holiday Season: This will be a huge test for many of us that have made Lifestyle Changes over the last year, but I know that we can all keep the leash on the Beast & still enjoy our Holidays :flowerforyou:
  • suzi67
    suzi67 Posts: 162 Member
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    I'm from Canada, and we have already had our thanksgiving. Even with visiting family, going to a wedding and making a big dinner myself, complete with leftovers, there was no gain. I'm sure I went over on everything, but because I have made a lifestyle change, my body can handle the once in a while indulgence. Also gave me a great excuse to pass on the dishes others made that I don't particularly care for: "sorry, that doesn't fit in with the program I'm on." Have a great holiday and focus on the relationships, not the food, makes for better memories which matter so much more in the long run.
  • lkm111
    lkm111 Posts: 629 Member
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    I think that is the epitome of a healthy mindset about food. If you can't enjoy one day with your family - in moderation - then you have more work to do mentally.

    I said this in another post, but will say again, my plan is to eat the turkey breast, the fresh veggies that are always on our table, and any other vegetable that looks like it is fairly healthy. I will not eliminate the high carb foods (dressing, potatoes, rolls) but will be very careful with portions. Pumpkin is not my favorite so dessert won't be a problem (unless someone brings something with chocolate - then all bets are off :smile:)

    Having a plan is the first step to enjoying the day!
  • glfprncs2
    glfprncs2 Posts: 625 Member
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    I have a cheat meal once each week...I'll be having mine on Thanksgiving this week, and will do some extra cardio in the morning to make up for it. It's one day...as long as your Thanksgiving meal doesn't last the rest of November and all of December, you need to indulge every now and then.

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