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So with Thanksgiving looming for us here in the States..

KBrenOH
KBrenOH Posts: 704 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
What are your tricks for staying within portion controls, calorie intakes and etc, all while still eating a balanced diet ( every few hours).
I've actually thought of taking my food scale to my in laws for the family dinner, but to be honest, I don't want to sit there in front of everyone and weigh out my food. :frown: Any suggestions that I can do to get around that?

Thanks guys!

Replies

  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    I have no such plans
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Just like we need warmups before an intense workout, we similarly need warmups for Thanksgiving.

    In order to prepare, I had a whole pizza on Saturday, Burger King on Sunday, and Five Guys today. I'm pretty warmed up and ready to go now.
  • JeSuisPrest
    JeSuisPrest Posts: 2,005 Member
    Eat small portions, drink lots of water or low calorie fluids, chew slowly, don't rush. And be grateful all those leftovers won't be left in your house!! ;)
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    You should know your portion sizes by sight. I use a cup for everything. 2 cups of veggies 1 cup of meat. Skip the sauces and gravies as best you can and have some fun. There are lots of sites that have visual sizes for you to judge by. Good luck.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    I'm just going to eat what I want and enjoy the day.... and squeeze in some extra exercise. :smile:
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    It's one day, I'm enjoying it and sticking with what I normally do every other day, I won't gain from it.

    So many people are worried about that day it it's just not necessary.
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    I go for a horseback ride in the morning, then come home and put on stretchy pants so I can eat myself sick.

    It's one day. One glorious day of gluttony.

    :drinker:
  • timingsands
    timingsands Posts: 83
    I know what you mean about not wanting to weigh your food in front of everyone. I get funny looks when I use measuring cups to serve myself...and that's from my immediate family! Here's what I would do. Mentally divide your plate into quarters. One quarter is for meat. One quarter is for starch. The last two quarters should be for vegetables, like salad or steamed veggies. If there are more than one type of starch divide that quarter in two, same with meat. Eat your veggies first, then the meat and starch. Drink water every few bites. Don't pile your plate too high and make sure you can see the physical plate between each food item!!
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    I plan on making from-scratch cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing for breakfast (it's a family tradition) ... then I'm going to IL's house to eat until I fall in to a coma. Thanksgiving comes once a year, and I'm not 'missing it' for the world.
  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    I just put on my Thanksgiving Pants and roll with it.
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    I purchased two turkeys.

    One for me, one for everyone else. Anybody touhes mine and they're be hell to pay.
  • muitobem
    muitobem Posts: 436 Member
    It's one day, I'm enjoying it and sticking with what I normally do every other day, I won't gain from it.

    So many people are worried about that day it it's just not necessary.


    What she said ^ ^.....It's ONE day out of the year to be with family...it's not going to break your diet unless you let it....ENJOY THE DAY and DON"T worry about it!!!! Move on the next day and get right back on it...
  • muitobem
    muitobem Posts: 436 Member
    I know what you mean about not wanting to weigh your food in front of everyone. I get funny looks when I use measuring cups to serve myself...and that's from my immediate family! Here's what I would do. Mentally divide your plate into quarters. One quarter is for meat. One quarter is for starch. The last two quarters should be for vegetables, like salad or steamed veggies. If there are more than one type of starch divide that quarter in two, same with meat. Eat your veggies first, then the meat and starch. Drink water every few bites. Don't pile your plate too high and make sure you can see the physical plate between each food item!!

    Too much freaking worry for ONE day of the year!!! ENJOY THE DAY!!!!!
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,342 Member
    I have stuck around 1200 calories all week to bank for thursday. So now I have around 800-1000 extra calories for that day and I will still be at my goal by the end of the week :) and if I go over that oh well I friggin love thanksgiving so it's worth it.
  • Britt2Fitjrny
    Britt2Fitjrny Posts: 558 Member
    I know what you mean about not wanting to weigh your food in front of everyone. I get funny looks when I use measuring cups to serve myself...and that's from my immediate family! Here's what I would do. Mentally divide your plate into quarters. One quarter is for meat. One quarter is for starch. The last two quarters should be for vegetables, like salad or steamed veggies. If there are more than one type of starch divide that quarter in two, same with meat. Eat your veggies first, then the meat and starch. Drink water every few bites. Don't pile your plate too high and make sure you can see the physical plate between each food item!!

    I like this idea. Thanks :)
  • CakeFit21
    CakeFit21 Posts: 2,521 Member
    What are your tricks for staying within portion controls, calorie intakes and etc, all while still eating a balanced diet ( every few hours).
    I've actually thought of taking my food scale to my in laws for the family dinner, but to be honest, I don't want to sit there in front of everyone and weigh out my food. :frown: Any suggestions that I can do to get around that?

    Thanks guys!

    Yes, take a spoonful and pass the plate.
  • KendaVSG
    KendaVSG Posts: 147
    I know what you mean about not wanting to weigh your food in front of everyone. I get funny looks when I use measuring cups to serve myself...and that's from my immediate family! Here's what I would do. Mentally divide your plate into quarters. One quarter is for meat. One quarter is for starch. The last two quarters should be for vegetables, like salad or steamed veggies. If there are more than one type of starch divide that quarter in two, same with meat. Eat your veggies first, then the meat and starch. Drink water every few bites. Don't pile your plate too high and make sure you can see the physical plate between each food item!!

    This is a fabulous idea... I would add, if its a regular dinner plate size then only use the inside circle, not the rim of the plate to determine space for food. The biggest key I can recommend is to eat SLOWLY, putting your silverware down in between bites, taking a drink of water, chewing thoroughly, and above all listen to your stomach. Stop eating when you are NO LONGER hungry, instead of when you are full or stuffed. Thanksgiving should be about friends and family and being together, not about the food.
  • Britt2Fitjrny
    Britt2Fitjrny Posts: 558 Member
    I know what you mean about not wanting to weigh your food in front of everyone. I get funny looks when I use measuring cups to serve myself...and that's from my immediate family! Here's what I would do. Mentally divide your plate into quarters. One quarter is for meat. One quarter is for starch. The last two quarters should be for vegetables, like salad or steamed veggies. If there are more than one type of starch divide that quarter in two, same with meat. Eat your veggies first, then the meat and starch. Drink water every few bites. Don't pile your plate too high and make sure you can see the physical plate between each food item!!

    I like this idea. Thanks :)

    But i'm also not worried about this one day. :) if anything i'll gain three pounds (mostly from salt) and in the next two days i'll be back to where i was before Thanksgiving. ENJOY! :)
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    I go for a horseback ride in the morning, then come home and put on stretchy pants so I can eat myself sick.

    It's one day. One glorious day of gluttony.

    :drinker:


    ^lol, I'm with you! I'll get a work out done in the morning. Then put on my nice and stretchy yoga pants and let the feast begin! It's one day people....enjoy!
  • garlic7girl
    garlic7girl Posts: 2,236 Member
    Just like we need warmups before an intense workout, we similarly need warmups for Thanksgiving.

    In order to prepare, I had a whole pizza on Saturday, Burger King on Sunday, and Five Guys today. I'm pretty warmed up and ready to go now.
    LOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!! ROTFLMBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • timingsands
    timingsands Posts: 83
    OP asked for tips on how to portion control without using a food scale. If that's what OP wants to do, then that's fine. If she wants to just enjoy the day and not worry, that's fine, too.
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
    0911-panic-in-the-streets-posterjpg-683f95799d509b54_large.jpg
  • damonmath
    damonmath Posts: 359 Member
    I won't be participating... That makes it pretty easy.
  • JeSuisPrest
    JeSuisPrest Posts: 2,005 Member
    I know what you mean about not wanting to weigh your food in front of everyone. I get funny looks when I use measuring cups to serve myself...and that's from my immediate family! Here's what I would do. Mentally divide your plate into quarters. One quarter is for meat. One quarter is for starch. The last two quarters should be for vegetables, like salad or steamed veggies. If there are more than one type of starch divide that quarter in two, same with meat. Eat your veggies first, then the meat and starch. Drink water every few bites. Don't pile your plate too high and make sure you can see the physical plate between each food item!!

    Great advice!!! It is just one day, but it's no excuse for gluttony. In fact, I wouldn't be struggling to lose weight if I had never thought that way to begin with. "It's just one day", "It's just one more bite", "It's just another glass of wine", "It's just one dessert".....that excuse could go on and on.....and it's probably that same reason why most of us are here now.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    The hard part is not Thanksgiving Day...that's a no brainer. Eat Eat Eat and enjoy!! The challenge is getting right back on healthy sensible eating track the next day. That's what separates the people that what to do this...and the one's that want to make excuses!

    Eat, Enjoy, be done with it! Friday we are right back to being fitness warriors!!!!!!!
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    I have a great idea,totally new concept its one day,dont worry about it.emjoy the time with your family,as long as you eat sensibly the rest of the week you will be fine
  • dalgirly
    dalgirly Posts: 280 Member
    Well, since I`m Canadian, I`ve already had Thanksgiving. But I ate myself silly. And then was good the week after. I didn`t gain a pound (or even get off my weight losing path). So its one day, enjoy it!
  • michelec64
    michelec64 Posts: 120 Member
    Aside from a trip to the gym in the morning, I'm taking the day off. I plan on eating whatever I want (no take-home leftovers though) and I'll go back to my normal food routine on Friday. I've been at this for almost 2 years and indulging in the occasional holiday feast, wedding, birthday party, etc. hasn't hurt me...it's a part of life.

    I realize that not everyone is at that level where they can trust themselves to enjoy things in moderation, so just do what you are comfortable with. Don't let what should be a happy occasion to spend with friends and loved ones become a major source of stress.
  • tamcrit
    tamcrit Posts: 340 Member
    Here's my plan...I am running a Turkey Trot 10K Thursday morning, so that will burn approximately 500-600 calories. For my meal, I plan to start with a nice salad, and then take one serving spoon full of everything I want, but no seconds. I have been staying on track all week and will jump back into routine on Friday, so I am planning to enjoy it, but not go too overboard.
  • acasey0123
    acasey0123 Posts: 640 Member
    im running an 8k so im think around 1000 calories ill be burning since i burned about 600 calories from my 5k race a couple weeks back...then for dinner im gonna fill up on salad and white turkey meat
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