Last year, Thanksgiving was the beginning of the end. I had followed Weight Watchers successfully for several weeks at that point, lost a bit of weight, and was hoping to keep that up throughout the holidays. But then Thanksgiving happened; or rather, I happened to Thanksgiving. Fast-forward a few months, and I was right back at my highest weight ever: 203 lbs.
I won’t let that happen, this time around. I have a Thanksgiving plan:
1. Keep physical activity and fitness in the forefront of my mind. In fact, I’m going to double up on workouts a few days this week. Normally I either ride my bike to work or do a lunchtime elliptical workout on work days; weather permitting, I’ll be doing both activities on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I’ll be taking Thanksgiving off from working out, and on Friday and Saturday my boyfriend and I will hit the gym together.
2. I will eat a normal breakfast on Thanksgiving Day, and I will eat whatever I want (without counting calories) for Thanksgiving dinner and dessert.
3. Unlike last year, I will not be bringing a plethora of leftovers home (my boyfriend and I will be enjoying the holiday meal at my grandmother’s house). The only exception might be pumpkin pie, which he likes and I do not (it’s a texture thing).
4. I will go right back to sticking to my usual calorie budget (1700/day) on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. We have a second Thanksgiving dinner to attend that day, but I will be counting calories and tracking all my food, so I’ll stick to budget-friendly foods.
Do you have a Thanksgiving plan? Share in the comments!
22. November 2009 at 11:33 PM
Wow, I’m impressed, that is a really good plan!
I was thinking that I would eat what I wanted, but limit it to 1-2 tablespoons of each just so I have a taste. Usually my Mom has so many side dishes, if you take 1-2 tablespoons of each, your whole plate is full. The hardest part for me will be the rolls/butter, dressing and pie. I plan to have a little sliver of each pie (pumpkin, pecan and cherry).
I’ll need to get an exercise plan together for the week. Thanks for the incentive to start making plans. I think I hadn’t thought about it much because I’m in denial that the holidays are really here — just when I’m getting myself back on track again. UGH!
Tina
22. November 2009 at 11:40 PM
Tina, I think your plan to eat just a few bites of each food is a good one! The holidays are NOT going to derail us! Keep me posted when you’ve figured out your exercise plan :).
22. November 2009 at 11:44 PM
Good for you! It sounds like an exceptional plan. Gotta say, I’m a little worried about Thanksgiving myself. I’ve been on WW since Oct 8th, so not long enough for the habit to have settled in. I am determined to not let Thanksgiving trigger a binge and, then, a total downfall. One thing I’ve done, since dinner is at my home, is to limit the QUANTITY
22. November 2009 at 11:51 PM
OOPS! My reply posted on its own! Anyway, I’m limiting the quantity of food I prepare–no 25 lb turkey and 10 lbs of mashed potatoes… Instead of cooking as though I’m going t feed 20 people, I’m going to cook for 6 people will be here to avoid the amt of leftovers I usually have. Like you, I’m going to eat what I want Thanksgiving dinner, but that’s the extent of itg. No eating build-up to Thursday and then eating holiday-style for days afterwards. I wish us both well! Deb
23. November 2009 at 1:16 AM
Deb: “No eating build-up to Thursday and then eating holiday-style for days afterwards.” This is pretty much exactly what I am going for, too! I want to enjoy the holiday but not use it as an excuse to overeat for days on end.
23. November 2009 at 3:56 AM
I must say I am scared about Thanksgiving dinner! I am such a lover of stuffing and potatoes! Oh and rolls :) I am just going to try to limit myself to small portions and go from there! Thank goodness its just once a year! :)
23. November 2009 at 2:41 PM
Amy: I’m really fond of carby goodness like mashed taters and rolls, too. Maybe we can both just plan to not go back for seconds? Put a decent helping of our favorites on our plate but then not return for moremoremore later? Let me know how things go for you! Looks like you have a blog set up so I guess you’ll post about it ;).
23. November 2009 at 1:45 PM
This is a fabulous plan! I’m also nervous about the holiday’s. This time of year always derails me as well, but I’m determined not to let it this year! I was really sick last week so I got nothing accomplished, but this week I am determined to work out at least 3 days. I was going to work out this morning before work, but that didn’t happen. I’m not going to beat myself up about it though. I will work out today after work!:)
Thanks for being so inspiring!
23. November 2009 at 2:43 PM
Janie: Ugh, I’m sorry you were so sick last week! Are you feeling better now? Getting your exercise is important but if you’re still under the weather don’t push yourself too hard, okay? Take good care of yourself.
23. November 2009 at 1:48 PM
Your plan is similar to mine: to continue to do what I know is right for ME!
I think my gym is open on Thanksgiving Day so it is likely that I will go per the normal (just not as early).
I’m going to a family gathering, as well, and I don’t plan on returning home with any leftovers. Generally, we don’t have any so that is a good thing. I’m not going to limit myself, just eat like I normally do and don’t overfill myself.
I’ll hit the gym on Friday as well and if weather permits will go for a 2-3 mile walk on Friday & Saturday.
23. November 2009 at 2:44 PM
Ernise: You’ve got me wondering if my gym is open on Thanksgiving too, now. . . . I just assumed it wasn’t. Your Turkey Day plan sounds solid, btw!
24. November 2009 at 8:31 PM
Well, mine is open from 7 a to 11 a. I checked this morning. :)
23. November 2009 at 3:45 PM
If I can overcome the urge for extra large slices of sweet potato pie and warm crusty rolls smathered in melted buttery goodness….I’ll do just fine. What are my odds? ((sweating bullets))
23. November 2009 at 4:12 PM
Yum Yucky: Hahahah! Gah! I know. I know.
23. November 2009 at 3:54 PM
Good plan, Hilary. I don’t trust myself *yet* to allow myself to eat whatever I want…LOL. I have my menu all planned out. I’m not having ANY mashed potatoes even though they will be there. I’ll be eating mashed cauliflower instead. If it’s good and I like it I told myself I could eat as much of that as I want. I’ll have a normal serving of turkey, steamed veggies, 1 roll, 1 wonton, and a serving of apple crisp. I think that’s it….
For fitness I’m walking in a Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning … it’s a 5k. (super excited about it too!)
23. November 2009 at 4:13 PM
Josie: You’re doing what feels right for you, and that is awesome! It sounds like a very wise plan that you’ve outlined here. I’ve always been curious about mashed cauliflower—let me know how it is! And the Turkey Trot should be a blast! Have fun :).
24. November 2009 at 8:03 PM
My plan is to eat normally up to and after thanksgiving, and on thanksgiving, just eat mindfully. Fill up on veggies, and eat whatever else I want, in whatever quantity I deem appropriate, but keep one eye on my full-o-meter and if I’m full, stop eating. So in all honesty, how I normally eat, but maybe throw a slice of pie in there too. :) I’m lucky two-fold. I honestly DO NOT LIKE thanksgiving leftovers, and it’s at a friend’s house anyway so I can just “forget” to take anything home.
For exercise, this is my first week of half marathon training, and I am also running a race (the Thundercloud Turkey Trot 5 miler) on Thanksgiving, so I’m set there.