How To Survive The Thanksgiving Banquet

One year ago...on Thanksgiving Day, I made an important decision; but I had to also make a real commitment to change first.

I had spent the whole month of November just thinking about the idea of how I was going to lose the 70 pounds my surgeon demanded to qualify for new knees. I really did not like the thought of trying to 'diet' again, after a lifetime of failures. I could always lose a few pounds (even as much as 99 pounds in one year), but those pounds always seemed to come back. Usually 'the holidays' (anywhere from Halloween through New Year’s Day) were the beginning of the weight gaining period...but not last year.

My hubbie Ed and I were already committed to going to Thanksgiving at his sister Vivian’s house. I knew what to expect. Vivian is a great cook and loves to show off her skills with a banquet fit for a king or queen-size lady. This was definitely NOT the 'best time' to begin a diet, but I had to start sometime. I had already wasted most of November, just making excuses for why I couldn't possibly lose 'all that weight, especially during the holidays',

Then, something snapped in me. I finally decided that I wanted my life back. I was sick and tired of sitting in a wheelchair, while other folks could move around with ease, could run or ride a bike...or just walk on the beach or through a park. The only way that I could get back on my feet had to begin with that huge weight loss, and it had to be ME making the choice to change how I ate and how I thought about food, especially during the holidays.

I did something courageous or just plain stupid. I shared my situation and my goals with Vivian. My sweet sister-in-law is not only a great cook, but she used to be a registered nurse, just like me. We both know what high calorie meals can do to your body. I was crippled by more than 280 pounds and borderline diabetic at the time.

I didn’t really have a plan…just some ideas about what might get me through the holidays without gaining more weight at Thanksgiving.

Some folks on MFP will plan ahead and exercise like crazy to compensate for what will be a 'feasting frenzy' at the Thanksgiving table. That doesn't make much sense to me...even if I could get up and run a few miles or stay in the gym all day on the day before or after Thanksgiving. No. I am still pretty much stuck in a wheelchair, though I will be having surgery on my knees in the coming year.

I will handle this Thanksgiving just like I did last year. I will THINK before I fill my plate. Here are some ideas that may help some of you with that holiday buffet. They helped me last year, and I am hoping they will help me this year too.

1. Tell someone (preferably the hostess, if you are going out for that meal) that you are on a restricted food plan. Let that person know that you need their support. There is nothing worse than someone demanding you taste everything. You may find some healthier choices on the banquet table with a friend on the cooking team.

2. Start with a smaller plate. That alone will makes commitment to less food easier. You don't need a turkey platter full of food in front of you.

3. Most importantly…look at your options on the table first. Turkey and even ham are both fairly low in calories, but the other ‘stuff’ or stuffing that goes with them may be a nightmare of butter, sugar or other no so light calorie items. Just think 4 ounces of meat (palm size, quarter pounder patty size), when taking your meat portion. Avoid eating the skin which contains more fat and often added salt.

4. GRAVY IS NOT REQUIRED. Side dishes (mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc) and even the meat don't need to be buried in gravy. Enjoy the flavor of the food without a bowl size portion of gravy.

5. There should be something GREEN on the table, besides the green bean casserole. Let salads and fresh veggies have a biggest part of your small plate.

6. Dessert is NOT mandatory. If you feel that you can afford those calories, go for it; but THINK before you start sucking the whip cream out of the can. It helps, if you wait for a while, before you go for dessert. Your stomach is probably already full, but your brain has to catch up.

7. If you can log on to MFP and calculate your calories after that hardy Thanksgiving meal, DO IT! Then, you will see just how many calories remain in your day, before you head back for dessert or leftovers that night. You might actually have enough for a piece of pumpkin pie or a cold turkey sandwich.

8. You don’t need to make a plate ‘TO GO’, just because there are leftovers. If you do take leftovers home with you, don’t feel obliged to eat them that night. They can wait until the next day.

As for me, I lost 18 pounds from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve in 2012 and another 70 pounds in 2013. I plan to celebrate Thanksgiving as the anniversary of this wonderful, weight loss year. I am so thankful for the choices that I made last year and this year.

How would you like to weigh 88 pounds less by Thanksgiving of 2014? It is possible, but you have to make a commitment to begin NOW…NOT AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

Don’t make a New Year’s resolution. Make a 2013 Thanksgiving resolution to lose some weight. Plan ahead for a happier and healthier holiday season.

Have you got any other good ideas to deal with the Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holiday banquet ahead? I can always use some good advice.