Surviving Thanksgiving

yadicarter
yadicarter Posts: 73
edited October 5 in Health and Weight Loss
Happy Monday all! My last day of work before vacation, super excited =) Question for you guys: I will be enjoying Thanksgiving with family and coming from a Puertorican family you can imagine the foods they'll have. I plan on portion control, but any suggestions how not to sabotage any work I've already done? I like my progress so far, and I'm close to meeting my first mini goal, which was 20lbs down by Christmas & I'm at 18.4lbs loss right now. Any feedback is appreciated, thank you all! Have a wonderful day and an awesome holiday week/weekend =)
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Replies

  • elizabethblake
    elizabethblake Posts: 384 Member
    it's one day, don't worry about it.
  • suzzee2000
    suzzee2000 Posts: 85 Member
    Just be careful! If you limit yourself too much you might binge later If you overeat you will regret it!
    Pick wisely and Portion Control should work good for you!!
    Good Luck!
  • RuninGirlCas
    RuninGirlCas Posts: 8 Member
    I think you got it right. Portion control! Also remember just cause its on your plate doesn't mean you have to eat it. Try not to beat yourself up if you go over your plan, it is just one day.
  • Ssocrrbabe
    Ssocrrbabe Posts: 51
    Hi,
    I recently wrote about Ten Tips to Surviving Thanksgiving while dietig if you want to check it out!

    http://fitnessrealitynow.blogspot.com/

    Thanks!
    Teresa
  • exacerbe
    exacerbe Posts: 447 Member
    It's one day... just eat healthier the remainder of the week. If you're that concerned... portion control is your friend.
  • Quiing
    Quiing Posts: 261 Member
    Enjoy the time with family and friends and just get back on the right track by monday at the latest!
  • khaleesinoodlebelly
    khaleesinoodlebelly Posts: 165 Member
    I think portion control is the way to go--but it is a holiday and if it is stuff you dont normally get to have everyday I say try anything you want to try, so you dont feel like you a denying yourself and loathing the diet.
  • Arabian♥Breeze
    Arabian♥Breeze Posts: 323
    GOOD LUCK
  • ssmom
    ssmom Posts: 128 Member
    All I can say is try to share everything! The food is so rich that the only way I survive it is to share with my kids or my husband. Take minimal when you can just for a taste and drink lots of water. Good luck! I know it's going to be really difficult.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Do you think you're capable of allowing yourself 1 day to just eat what you want? What I mean is, can you wake up the next day and proceed per your normal plan, and just act like it didn't happen?

    If you can, then I'd recommend not logging thanksgiving and enjoying yourself. It's a holiday, celebrate, and treat yourself. Wake up the next day with no guilt and get back on your plan.

    It will probably do you some good.
  • lmtrevin77
    lmtrevin77 Posts: 68 Member
    I agree with those who say it is ONE day. Just be sure to stick to a healthy eating plan the rest of the week and let your self enjoy your Thanksgiving with your family. Maybe you can convince everyone to play some touch football and you can get a workout in too!

    Have a great day and a healthy week :)
  • Mama_CAEI
    Mama_CAEI Posts: 235
    I'm in Canada so I dealt with Thanksgiving last month. What I did was stay away from the creamy dips that were on the table throughout the afternoon and ate lots of veggies. Then when supper was served, I kept my portions under control. I did go over my calorie goal, but I certainly did not eat anywhere as much as I would have in the past. You're doing great. One day is not going to undo all your hard work. What matters most is getting back on track afterwards. :)
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member

    It takes just one day to mess you all up


    From a calorie standpoint, I don't agree. If intentionally taking a day off is something that you or anyone cannot do without falling off the wagon permanently, then of course you should watch it.
  • Thena81
    Thena81 Posts: 1,265 Member
    hey gurlie! happy holidays! i plan on getting a great workout before and after Thanksgiving. if you have been on point this whole time, one day wont hurt you, enjoy your food!!
  • SiltyPigeon
    SiltyPigeon Posts: 920 Member
    In order to gain back the 18.4 lbs you have lost you would have to consume 64,400 calories ON TOP of your maintenance calories. That's a lot of turkey!!! Enjoy your holiday AND your holiday meal. Exercise the extra Thanksgiving calories off with some HARD CORE Black Friday shopping!
  • KyleJCooper
    KyleJCooper Posts: 44 Member
    Last year I had a vigorous morning workout before dinner, and felt a lot better about eating whatever I wanted. Plan on doing that again this year...
  • alabrake
    alabrake Posts: 4
    have a nice long work out in the morning to rev up your metabolism. and eating thanksgiving dinner!!! Have fun and eat, but dont over eat (which i know is easier said than done)... Maybe plan on taking a walk around the block after dinner, I am sure other family members would love to join you.

    Hope this helps :flowerforyou:
    Happy Holidays!!

    -Ali
  • SandraM329
    SandraM329 Posts: 6 Member
    I would say enjoy the day but also bring a dish or two that you know are on the healthy side. We will have all the normal items at our table this year but I am preparing some sides that are healthier. Look at Eating Well Magazine. They have some great recipes that can help you.

    I think it's important to treat yourself but within limits.
  • SandraM329
    SandraM329 Posts: 6 Member
    Great idea. I have a 1.5 hour boot camp class that morning. I hope I have enough energy left to eat! :-)
  • yadicarter
    yadicarter Posts: 73
    Do you think you're capable of allowing yourself 1 day to just eat what you want? What I mean is, can you wake up the next day and proceed per your normal plan, and just act like it didn't happen?

    If you can, then I'd recommend not logging thanksgiving and enjoying yourself. It's a holiday, celebrate, and treat yourself. Wake up the next day with no guilt and get back on your plan.

    It will probably do you some good.

    I would have said in the past, no I'm not capable of allowing myself the 1 day...but since starting MFP and exercising and enjoying learning how to be healthy, I know I can wake up the next day and get back on =)
  • yadicarter
    yadicarter Posts: 73
    Thank you guys, all great ideas! I've already told some family members that we're walking around the block after lunch/dinner and I agree, maybe get a game going.
  • ksubbert
    ksubbert Posts: 38 Member
    Last year I had a vigorous morning workout before dinner, and felt a lot better about eating whatever I wanted. Plan on doing that again this year...

    This my routine as well. We run the 8 mile Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning and then eat, sleep, and watch football the rest of the day.

    It's the best day of the year.
  • unmitigatedbadassery
    unmitigatedbadassery Posts: 653 Member
    Short answer: Don't worry about it.

    Unnecessarily long answer:

    1 - A single day isn't going to break you IF you have the motivation to get back on track.
    --If you don't then stay away from the temptation as much as you can.

    2 - You aren't going to gain back anything in the long term if you get right back on track the next day.
    --If you are one of the OCD types that weigh in after every trip to the bathroom you WILL see an increase due to the amount of food and the SODIUM (which makes it all mega-tasty).

    3 -Only you can prevent a disaster.
    --You know your trigger foods and level of willpower. If you turn into a ravenous beast after one bite of mashed potatoes then don't eat any thus limiting the chance of a 'mashed potato relapse'.

    What I'm going to do:

    We have dinner at my baby-mama's parents' house every year. There is going to be so much that's not congruent with my paleo lifestyle up for the taking. I'm going to eat the stuff that I really, really want and pass on the stuff that isn't that big of a deal to me (SWEET sweet potatoes). I'm probably going to tear up the stuffing and make the mashed potatoes beg for mercy and put a hurtin' on the green bean casserole. One thing that I know I won't be having is bread. I can pass on bread, it's never been my bag baby.

    If you are hell-bent on keeping to your diet then:
    A - count calories and stop when you run out of numbers.
    B - eat the stuff that is less 'bad' for you. Nom on the white turkey, maybe have some sweet potatoes that DON'T have brown sugar, butter and marshmallows (yuk) and green beans or a salad. If there isn't going to be anything prepared that is 'safe' to eat for you then make it yourself - no one, NO ONE that I know has ever complained because I brought some more food.

    Bottom line:
    It's Thanksgiving. Enjoy yourself and your family and stop stressing... there's plenty of time for that at Christmas.
  • magz_weltha
    magz_weltha Posts: 35
    Last year I had a vigorous morning workout before dinner, and felt a lot better about eating whatever I wanted. Plan on doing that again this year...

    This is what I plan to do!
  • sharonus
    sharonus Posts: 102
    We are having Thanksgiving with two sides of the family this year, and one happened already on Saturday. The things I learned from that:

    1. Try to workout in the morning before you go to dinner. I always thought it was crazy when I saw those people jogging the day of Thanksgiving, but this year, I did it myself. It made me fell more comfortable to have those additional calories.
    2. Indulge a little -- not a lot. It was totally fine for me to have a piece of Almond Roca. Did I really need three?
    3. Don't eat what you don't want. I love homemade pumpkin pie, but I'm not a fan of Costco's. Why waste calories on something that wasn't really that great?
    4. Log your food. It's pretty eye opening. When I go "over" on a particular day, I try to think about what I ate and what I can do better the next time. ("I would have been right on my calories if I didn't eat X.")

    I know this is going to be a really tough time of year for me. I want to make sure that all the work I've done for the past 6 months doesn't get blown away in one holiday season. I'm hoping that "Lose weight" doesn't have to be one of my new years resolutions this year! :drinker:
  • cecilia0909
    cecilia0909 Posts: 188 Member
    I have not read all the other comments but to me, it is one day- I plan on working out and I want to enjoy my family, friends, food, and wine. I will not be counting calories that day.
  • unmitigatedbadassery
    unmitigatedbadassery Posts: 653 Member
    I have not read all the other comments but to me, it is one day- I plan on working out and I want to enjoy my family, friends, food, and wine. I will not be counting calories that day.

    Word.
  • GraceysMommy09
    GraceysMommy09 Posts: 19
    Gosh, you all have some wonderful ideas. I think that I am going to go with heath"ier" selection, portion control, and count what I eat. I am going to stay away from the cakes and pies because I'm not too big on them anyway, but I may have a serving of banana pudding. That is my favorite.
  • SheRa1964
    SheRa1964 Posts: 155
    Maybe I should have said "surviving" on my post rather than coping. Oh vey did I get flack for my phrase! In my case I'd watch it. I think one day CAN make a difference. I have trouble getting and staying motivated.

    What I did on Thanksgiving meal #1 was filled my plate once with the things I absolutely loved. I exercised and I ate light for my evening meal. I didn't feel stuffed and miserable and I did and do feel in control.
  • bybybelly
    bybybelly Posts: 56
    It is only one day so enjoy your time with family and friends BUT try to think what it feels like to be stuffed to the gills full. Makes me sick so I will eat what I want but when I am full, I am done! Good luck.....you have come so far and this day will not define the rest of your journey. Another tip, I plan on starting the day with a elliptical workout to earn some extra calories:)

    Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!
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