Thanksgiving Trepidations -For all!

[Jules]

Alright everyone. We have a big holiday coming up -and one that started because of people getting together and eating. Anyone else feel like they're gearing up for a battle?

I'm headed to my parents with my fiance V and my 2 dogs, and mom's going to make him a "proper" Thanksgiving meal since he's Australian and never had Thanksgiving before. He was here last year, but I had to work so we ate pizza. This "proper" meal will consist of all the traditionalthings like cornbread stuffing, turkey, giblet gravy, buttery mashed potatoes, peacan and pumpkin pie. And I've got to stop myself from gorging myself on my mom's fantastic cooking.

It's going to be fun, but stressful elements in there too. We're also going shopping the day after (for wedding stuff) and we usually get up, eat big breakfast, shop all day, then have a huge dinner at a nice restaurant (usually Italian) and go home late. Not too healthy eh?

So, my plans for dealing with food this Thanksgiving:
1) Pack some healthy snacks for the shopping day and order smart at any restaurant
2) Estimate calories and serving sizes for Thankgsgiving foods before I go
3) If pushed to eat more food, remind my family I have to fit into a wedding dress the next day while shopping
4) Drink lots of water/hot tea to feel too full to eat lots
(Any other tips would be appreciated)

Plus I'm going to talk to my mom about health; I love her and am concerned for her. She's been overweight since she had kids. She's also been on a "diet" ever since I can remember, the latest being Atkins. She's also never lost any real weight that stayed off. She's overweight by atleast 100 lbs, though I don't know exactly. I've been talking to her about the BL show, but she hasn't watched it I think -she's not big into TV. So I'm taking her my BL book, a BL DVD, and I'm going to try and talk with her. I hope I can help motivate and encourage her -and maybe get her to start using the DVD. Wish me luck -She wants to lose weight for my wedding but she needs help. Luckily she's happy with herself, but I'm concerned becaues diabetes and heart problems run in my generally overweight family. Wish me luck with my mom and everything!

Cheers, Jules

[FrugalSue]

Your strategies sound really good, Jules.

I feel kind of lucky that we're having a small Thanksgiving gathering at our house, so I have more control over what gets served. A friend is coming and wants to know what to bring, so I'm going to have her bring a fresh vegetable plate to snack on before the meal. In the past, we would probably have had chips and dip, or cheese and crackers.

Both my husband and I are good cooks, so I'm getting kind of used to there being good food around, but not eating as much of it as I used to. Since I started tracking my foods on Fitday.com, I pretty much put what I'm going to eat on my plate and I don't go back for seconds. There are exceptions, of course--but mostly I'm getting in the habit of a well-planned one-plate meal, and that's it. I'm trying to concentrate on the other reasons for being around the table, like having good conversation.

Sue

[louie]

Jules, you must bring the Thanksgiving tradition to Sydney with you - it will be great!! And V is very lucky to be able to enjoy a traditional one with you.

Your strategies sound great, but most importantly I wanted to say good luck and have great fun with the wedding dress hunting!!! How exciting!!!! Have fun - I know you will look beautiful!

Louie

[Missy]

We've already had our Thanksgiving here in Canada in early October...so it's Christmas I'm worried about

[muppet]

I just try to stick with smaller portions. Turkey is a good choice, and I prefer the white meat, so I don't limit that too much. I will have some stuffing, unless my mom makes something different, and I don't like it. And, we usually have a veggie plate. I will have some wine with my meal, and try and avoid the desserts -- maybe some pumpkin pie and cool whip -- leave the crust.
I hate feeling over-stuffed. The problem for me though, is that food is out all day long. Not the 'dinner food', but all kinds of snacks and treats. So easy to grab a bit of something whenever you walk by. I hope the weather is decent and I can get out for a nice invigorating walk.
Good luck with your mom Jules. She's luckly you care enough to try and help, and also that you're smart enough to realize that it isn't good for her. The fact that you want to help her, so that she'll be around for a long time, may be what she needs to hear to get serious and do something about it.

[Stormkat]

We just went shopping tonight for the food ~ since it will just be a small gathering for us, I bought just a turkey breast (I only like the white meat anyway) and we'll have all the usual, stuffing (may not be a problem for me this year - normally I LOVE it, but my mother in law is making it and let's just say, her's isn't really the greatest), peas, green beans, corn, rolls, mashed potatoes, and I'm making an apple pie. Then the double whammy, it's my son's 2nd birthday, so I'm also making a cake. YIKES! I think my strategy will be to make sure I do good all this week, eat a light breakfast and make sure I exercise in the morning and then eat small portions of what I want, so that way I don't feel deprived but at the same time I won't go overboard. I'm also going for the triple whammy, next weekend after the holiday we are going to PA to visit family and have my son's big party on Saturday....party food is my weakness, but I may do the same as on Turkey day.....wish me luck!

[Jules]

Just found this site while tring to count calories for Thanksgiving. It lists calories for a typical thanksgiving meal (and alternatives they suggest you eat).
http://www.dietbites.com/article1175.html

The total calories it estimated people typically eat for Thankgiving lunch - 4,575 cal. Yes, that's in one meal. That's enough to scare you into better behavior isn't it?

[Sandi]

I don't like pies, so that's not a problem, not fond of thanksgiving foods in general, so it should be an easy day, the only thing I like is the Turkey......and I'll probably just have some salad with it. Now Christmas, there's the problem holiday for me

[Widdlecuddles]

The holiday itself wn't be a problem for me. I am doing all the cooking so I am usually too busy/tired to eat LOL My problem will be Friday with all the leftovers that we didn't send home with everyone