Can someone please tell me how is it that Thanksgiving is just two days away? Is it me or does it seem like just yesterday we were celebrating July 4th? Is it possible to press a pause or slow down button on life? Well since the answer to that last question is an unfortunate no, allow me to at least share a few tips on how we all can slow down on our eating this Thanksgiving.
Because most if not all of us will be engaging in some serious consumption, I want to encourage you to give yourself permission to enjoy the day and all of the wonderful fixings that no doubt will be in abundance. But I also want to encourage you to have a game plan to keep you from completely sabotaging the progress you have made up until this point.
I will be spending the day with my mom and she is planning a small feast. Now mind you it will be just the two of us but she is planning her menu and portions as if the entire family will be spending the day together. Since I know this in advance I’m fully prepared to eat and enjoy everything she is preparing but with some parameters for myself so that I don’t go completely off the rails. Following are just a few ways both you and I can plan to exercise some constraint.
Don’t Go Hungry
Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving at your home or being entertained elsewhere, be sure to eat before you go. If you are doing the cooking, take time to have a normal breakfast and lunch. Try as best you can to maintain a sense of normalcy throughout the day so that you don’t throw caution completely to the wind. If you eat before you go you are more likely to be able to control what you take in and you’ll be less likely to overdo it once you arrive or once you sit down for the family dinner.
Wear A Belt
Although I’m dead serious about this second tip, some of you may be giving me the side-eye right about now. The idea however, is to set yourself up to not eat to nauseam. You know that miserable feeling you get after you’ve eaten yourself into a coma? Yeah, that one. That’s what we’re trying to avoid. Wearing a belt puts a mechanism in place to keep you from over doing it. If at all possible avoid any elastic or clothing that will grow as you do…lol. This will allow you to take in smaller portions, while still being able to enjoy your meal. This brings me to my next point.
Stay Within Your Portions
This one is a no brainer, but not necessarily easy to do. Make up your mind now to eat smaller portions. You can enjoy the taste of everything as long as you do so by eating small amounts. You can always go back for seconds if and that’s a big IF you’re hungry, but I would venture to say that once you’ve eaten that initial meal, you’ll be satisfied because you will have had the opportunity to enjoy everything you wanted to have.
Eat Slow and Enjoy the Flavor
To help with feelings of satisfaction…slow down and savor your food. This one is hard for me because I don’t like to eat cold food, so therefore I tend to eat very fast. But I’ve already decided to make good use of the microwave during my meal. Try putting your fork down between bites. Try letting a few moments go by before filling your mouth again. Try chewing slowly and swallowing completely before taking the next bite. It take about 20 minutes for the brain to register that you’re full. If you eat too fast you’re not allowing your brain a chance to make that determination, and once it does, you’ve already reached the point of no return.
Remember It’s Not The Last Super
The idea here is to not eat it all up. Eat some now, save some for later. Please, please, please don’t pile your plate up like this is the last meal you will ever have. Trust me, after you’ve eaten your first helping there will be more for seconds. Or how about this…there will be more for you to enjoy the fixings all over again on Friday. Now there’s a novel idea!
Don’t Forget It’s Just One Day
Here’s the thing, one day did not get any of us to the state we’re in, so chill. Give yourself permission to “go off plan” for this ONE day, and return back to your program on Friday. This does not mean to go overboard, but it does mean you can relax by “taking a day off”, with full intentions of getting back to your normally scheduled program first thing Friday morning with a nice healthy breakfast.
Move Something Other Than Your Mouth
Once you’ve eaten get up from the table and move around. Here’s a thought…take a walk, even if it’s just around the block. It’ll be good for digestion, and you’ll be able to get in a quick 10 -15 minutes of exercise. Remember it all counts and besides the fresh air will do you some good and ward off the ITIS 😉
Your Turn To Share
How do you plan to navigate Thanksgiving Day so that you’ll remain in control while still enjoying the day and your meal?