Surviving Thanksgiving

it's one day, don't worry about it.

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.

It's one day... just eat healthier the remainder of the week. If you're that concerned... portion control is your friend.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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

Great idea. I have a 1.5 hour boot camp class that morning. I hope I have enough energy left to eat! :-)

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.

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:

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.

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.