Stay on Track Thanksgiving Day

First thing I had to do was CHANGE MY MINDSET

I use to think I had to either make perfect choices or I didn’t have to think about what I was doing at all. Now I know going in that there is a good chance I will not make all great choices but that I don’t have to make all bad choices either and I seem to have found a really good balance now.

I definitely EAT A HIGH PROTEIN BREAKFAST

I use to think I should save the calories for my meals and realized quickly with that mindset I would up spending way more then I would have by having breakfast. I also say my brain works much better with some protein and I am able to make the choices I really want to make not the one I want to make in that in the moment

I WORKOUT THANKSGIVING DAY

That was a HUUUUGE change but made a big difference. We have fried oysters at my moms and I figure at least I can pay for those. I do better with a scheduled class because I have made a commitment and I will definitely show for that. I even took spin one year (not my favorite at all) but that’s what they were offering and it at least covered my oysters. When I am active it also changes the way I think and gives me more energy and that is super helpful

I CHANGED MY OUTFIT

Believe it or not this can make a difference. I use to wear stretchy pants or a huge sweater so it would cover me when I unbuttoned my pants. Now I don’t wear something to tight fitting bit I do wear something that fits comfortably and NO big sweaters. I can depend on my pants to let me know if I am going a little overboard

I also now GO IN WITH A PLAN

In my second month of weight watchers years ago we did a meeting called the Great Plate (it was one of may favorites). I was able to come up with a plan and see I didn’t have to give up everything I loved to stay on track. We eat at 2 houses within a couple hours of each other so I really did think it was impossible.

When making my plate I MAKE SURE I START WITH MY FAVORITES 

I start with the things I want most (oysters and Mom’s stuffing) and then work around them. There is really nothing special about the dinner rolls (they are out of a package), I can have mashed potatoes any day and really turkey too for that matter so I decided to spend my points (what we use to track in weight watchers world).

I am a volume eater so I BRING A GREEN SALAD

My favorites are also pretty high in Points or Calories so I need something to take up space on my plate and a nice green salad always does the trick

HAVE MY PIE FRIDAY

Mom also makes an awesome apple pie and I use to eat it quick before going to my in laws for meal #2. I realized I was worried that there wouldn’t be any left so now I ask her to cut a piece before I leave (so I am sure I will get one) and I go back either Friday or Saturday when I can fit it into my plan and I actually enjoy it more.

The PAPER IN MY POCKET

The first time I heard NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS THIN FEELS was at that same weight watchers meeting we did the plate. That Thanksgiving morning before we left the house I wrote that on a piece of paper and carried it in my pocket. When I would be tempted to just say screw it I would go to the paper. I still do that every year although I have changed it to NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS HEALTHY FEELS. Having some sort of anchor is so helpful when trying to manage a day like today.

I INTERVIEW MY FOOD

At my in laws there is food from the time we walk in the door to the time we leave, all the really good snacky stuff first then dinner, snacky stuff again and then tons of dessert! This is where interviewing is key for me. A couple of my most important questions other then the normal ARE YOU WORTH IT? are WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN and WILL I BE ABLE TO STOP IF I START EATING YOU?

KEEP MY WHY CLOSE BY

Having a strong enough why helps me manage all temptations. I revisit it regularly. If its not strong enough I always wind up saying things like  “just today I will deal with it tomorrow.” I have a basket full of why’s but there has to be one that is powerful enough to out way any temptations

PACK MY OWN TO GO CONTAINER

My Mother in law also makes enough food to feed a thousand people so that first year I had the plan the day went OK bit the weekend after not so much. She sent us home with all kinds of goodies and I ate ALOT of them. Now I am in charge of packing up all the left overs so I am in control of what comes home with me.

I have to REMIND MYSELF I AM NOT PERFECT AND THAT’S OK

I never been and never will be perfect at anything and I don’t know why I thought this should be any different. It gets a little easier each year because each year I learn a new strategy that works for me. What I have realized is most of the time I have to go through what doesn’t work to figure out what does.

I AM THANKFUL TO GOD AND GRATEFUL FOR THE AMAZING FRIENDS AND FAMILY I SPEND TIME WITH ON THIS DAY

I started focusing on the blessings around me more then I was focusing on the food

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!