I didn’t gain any weight over Thanksgiving. I know…sounds sad…right? But, don’t feel bad for me. I ate what I wanted. Turkey. Ham. Sweet potato casserole. Pie. All my favorites.
Before you call me a party pooper. There’s a reason for my madness…and this post. Always before I kicked my holiday season off with a few extra pounds and it was downhill from there through the New Year’s celebration. I’ve learned by experience that I’m most productive when I maintain a healthier weight. I always blew that this time of year.
This year I’m trying to be smarter. Trying.
How did I do it over Thanksgiving?
Exercised daily – Everyday, for the four day break, I went for a run and did sit ups. Everyday.
One big meal a day – I could have had two…or three. I had one. Everything I wanted. Once a day. Then chose much smaller, more sensible meals the rest of the day.
Got full and stopped – When I had enough…I stopped eating. I know. It makes too much sense, right? But, I didn’t gorge. I ate, got full, and quit.
Took what I liked, not what I didn’t – I often find myself eating things I really don’t like that much…certainly not my favorites, just because it’s there. And it’s the season. I stuck with those things I especially liked and stayed away from others. I found my plate was not as full as in year’s past, but every bite was a treat.
Quickly back to normal, healthy eating – Monday, following the Thanksgiving break, I started eating in my normal routine. In the past, I’ve allowed Thanksgiving to kick off a month long holiday binge. I always regret it the first of the year. Trying not to do that this year. There will be lots of Christmas events, but as much as I can, I’ll be eating sensibly.
Sounds simple, right? Yea, it was. I’m committed to trying it again through Christmas. I wanted to start the new year off without a lot of extra poundage or the sense of burden that I need to lose some weight. The year will have enough responsibility without having that pressure.
That’s my plan.
Do you have one? Does it matter to you?
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Hey I can't say it was in the plan, but I ended up with the worst food poisoning in my life on Thanksgiving. The good news is that it will inevitably help for years to come…because I have no interest in ever partaking again! Maybe not the recommended plan!
Wow. I'm so sorry. Hope you're completely recovered.
Yes it matters. We are body, mind and spirit. If part of that is off balance the rest is too. Discipline… I find myself running an extra amount so that I can eat the cookie I love. After the thrill of a run and the reality that it was for a cookie or whatever, the cookie never seems to matter so much. I have learned to taste a bite of pie, cookie, green bean casserole… Sticking to purer ingredients, simple food. A sweet potato out of the oven is fantastic without anything. As a woman, I would rather look great and feel great than eat great.
Good suggestions. Thanks.
I like it! Good job, but I wish you'd have posted this before Thanksgiving, then maybe I wouldn't have eaten so much!
Ha! But I didn't know it I'd be able to post it :). And the season is still going strong.
Appreciate this post. Being a woman and being 'fluffier' than I'd like to admit, I didn't gain any weight over the Thanksgiving holidays either. I didn't change anything about my daily routine other than eating a bigger meal and I stuck to my exercise schedule.
Thanks. The older I get the harder it is to lose weight once I gain it…so I'm trying to be more disciplined.
I am still riding my bike so I have continued exercising. I also have a used Bowflex at home so when I couldn't ride I worked out. What also helped was that we were not at home but found ourselves in a motel where I couldn't graze. Another good thing in my favor is that I don't like pumpkin anything.
Good advice Ron. I want to maintain the weight I am currently at so I am really trying to be conscientious.
Absolutely. Thanks.
Twitter: bryankr
says:
I know what you mean about eating things you don’t really want, I usually eat them out of a sense of obligation: they made so much, hate to see it go to waste, etc…
Then there is that stigma of being single: “You don’t have anyone cooking for you! Here, take this, and thesen and…”
I have adopted pretty much what you said, not eating beyond being full. I now when I’ve had enough, so I make myself stop! I make sure to keep up my work-out regimne, regardless of the time of year. Works well.
Thanks for sharing Bryan. And I understand the single line. I see this all the time.