Thanksgiving

Hi, I am relatively new here, my first time posting on this message board. I've learned a lot from reading your posts, and appreciate your candor and advice along this journey. I am starting to get anxious about Thanksgiving, and am wondering if any of you have started formulating a plan? I'm down 130 pounds since surgery, but have a long, long way to go. I just don't want what used to be the 'feast' to be as overwhelming as it seems right now. Any thoughts you can share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much, Melissa.

First of all there is no way you could ever eat as much as you used to and hopefully you have learned to eat your protein first. You have done a fantastic job thus far so take a look at the big picture. Use your tool and your new eating habits to make this the best Thanksgiving ever....remember we eat to live not live to eat. I look at it like this....Turkey first, then I will try a little bite of my favorites of the holiday til I am full. I know it won't take much, but at least I know I won't gain 5 lbs from dinner like everyone else. I hope this helps....you have to learn not to make your life evolve around the used to be's and look at the future. You are getting healthy and that is a major accomplishment. Keep up the great work...you are doing an awesome job. Kel

Hi Melissa Firstly let me say it's great to have you 'come out of the closet' and join us Maybies posting here. We always love getting to know new people Secondly, you'll do fine at thanksgiving. I know it's easy to say, but we have new lives now. Just stick to the 'rules' with a little flexibility and you'll be fine. So if you eat a bit more one or two days you can get back to basics straight after. Far better to enjoy the holiday than stress beforehand worrying and then stress during worrying. This is a journey and we are learning on the way. Use your experience from this year, while we are still in the early days to learn strategies for next year when it might be easier to overload. We have been ruled by food for too long. Now we are in control and we choose when and what to eat. We are not slaves to it anymore. As has been said before, choose protein first and then see what you have room for without 'pushing' your limits and try to avoid snacking. I use a smaller plate now to prevent me from taking a too big portion and then be tempted to keep eating because it is infront of me - you could always try that.

We have something in common: We'll be celebrating our 6th month surgiversary on Thanksgiving Day. I hope to use that to keep myself in check. and WOW 130 pounds is AWESOME..I'm jealous I'm not a big fan of the traditional Thanksgiving meal anyway but I plan to eat protein first then have a bit of this and a bite of that. I'm NOT on a diet I'm living a healthy life. A lifestyle change like we made in May doesn't mean we're going to be perfect. Just know that you will make better choices this holiday season than you did in years past!!!!! Mandy

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful replies. I really appreciated hearing your take on the holiday. Until I read your post Mandy, I hadn't even realized that Thanksgiving day would be the six month anniversary. I actually find that pretty empowering. Thanks again everyone!

OK here's Andi's theory on life at Thanksgiving...doesn't mean i'm right just means it's what i'm going to do: 1) at 37 i have eaten the same Thanksgiving dinner for at least 35 years, no one really ever changes the meal so you've already experienced this meal numerous times! 2) I will eat the turkey first and if there is any room left i will sample the sides that i want to (yay to the green bean casserole Nay to the stuffing..just my choice) 3) I am making myself a sugar free pumpkin pie so i can indulge should i feel like it. I am worth it and i deserve it. Keep in mind that this is only one meal and we are going to get through it together. I am planning on helping serve so that i don't have to sit down and watch all that food being consumed when i can only eat a bit. Think this through and do what you need to do but it's only one meal. Hugs, ANDI