An Overstuffed Thanksgiving
Most people know that I lost 25 pounds about 7 years ago and that I have kept that weight off all this time. When the holidays approach, people often ask me how I get through them without gaining weight. They also ask me how I handle Thanksgiving without over-stuffing myself.
It actually doesn't have to be hard and you don't have to deprive yourself either. It's a really fun day, and I think we should be able to enjoy the variety of dishes available, as well as getting together with people you love. I think the key is to make a plan before you head to your event, and to pay attention to your body instead of following what everyone else is doing.
After-Dinner, Social Bonding
Thanksgiving has this strange "after-dinner - social bonding" event that occurs, in which everyone bonds by talking about how overstuffed and uncomfortable they are. I watch it happen every year. It's kind of weird. And it's definitely not healthy.
We live in America. It's not the last time you will ever eat, and we have adequate storage - so whatever you can't eat, can be saved for another meal. Somehow we forget this at the dinner table.
Would you love to look forward to enjoying your friends/family and delicious food and not being overstuffed or gaining weight this Thanksgiving?
What Do I Do?
This has become old hat for me, primarily because I hate that feeling of being overstuffed. It takes way too many hours of my time to start to feel better again, so I'd rather just avoid it all together. It has been years since I've felt that feeling.
So first, think about how great you can feel after the meal if you simply don't overeat.
How Can You Do That?
If your Thanksgiving table looks anything like mine, there are usually a number of dishes available that all look delicious, and there are usually several different types of desserts to choose from.
I grab my plate and put two or three bites on it of each dish that looks good to me. This usually fills up my plate and allows me to try everything - which is part of the fun!
There are no rules that say you must have a regular serving size of everything that is available on the dinner table.
What Is Delicious?
Usually there are a few things on my plate that I end up not being thrilled with. If it's not fantastic, I don't eat it. Why waste room in my stomach when there are so many other fabulous foods available? Since I only grabbed two or three bites of everything, I just leave anything I don't like or am not knocked over by on my plate.
Since there are inevitably some things I didn't eat on my plate, I'm often still hungry when I'm finished. That's when I go back and get a few more bites of only the foods that I loved.
DESSERT!
Don't forget to save room for dessert.
When it's time for dessert, there are usually a couple things I want to try, so I just take a little bit of each one, just enough to make the equivalent of one serving on my plate. It's much more fun to me this way.
So... if you want to make your own plan for this Thursday, I'm pasting an exercise below that I wrote last year. Also, today is the last day to sign-up for my Healthy Through The Holidays Group. It's designed to help you make healthy choices through December 31, amidst all the parties and gatherings. Even if you are traveling, you will still be able to participate. Please contact me for more info: 917-689-6530.
Here's The Plan
First: Think about the foods that you enjoy eating on Thanksgiving and write them down.
Second: Think about the foods you don't enjoy eating that much (but still somehow end up on your plate). Write those down.
Third: Think about how great your body feels when you've just eaten enough (not too much).
Fourth: Think about how awful it feels when you're overstuffed, and how much time it takes to recover.
Fifth: Decide to eat all of your favorite foods by filling up your plate with two or three bites worth from each dish. If you're still hungry, go back for seconds - only the foods you absolutely love!
Sixth: Slow down and chew your food. Pay attention to your body. If you think you might be getting full, just stop eating. That's when you can start on the next step (seventh). If you were wrong about being full, and find yourself still hungry an hour later, you can always get more.
Seventh: Make yourself a plate to put in the fridge for later, the next day perhaps. Remember, as much as we act as though Thanksgiving is our last chance to eat ever, it actually isn't! I promise!
Finally: What about those relatives who constantly push food on you? I have one thing to say about that. We are adults. We can choose what's best for our body. They are adults too. If they cannot handle you declining out of respect for yourself, they have a much bigger issue they need to deal with that has nothing to do with you.
But be polite! "Mmmmmmmm Aunt Betsy! I'd love to have more of your fruit cake, but can you cut me a slice and package it up for me to take home. I'm not eating anymore right now."
Good luck everyone! Treat your body well! And let me know how it goes!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Melissa
Blog and comments: www.myheartdances.blogspot.com
Women's Group: Live The Way You Really Want - 1 Spot Available in Wednesday Night Group
The Wednesday night women's group is going amazing. Every Wednesday we have a room filled with dynamic professional women discussing issues that go on in our internal and external worlds: from self-esteem and being assertive in our workplace and in relationships to the pursuit of a fulfilling social life and romantic relationships.
One of our wonderful women, a pastry chef, cannot continue with us in December because of all the holiday orders she has to fill. I will be interviewing for one more woman to join us. Below are more details. 917-689-6530
***
This is a woman's process group. We bring topics to that table that we are dealing with in our everyday life: Relationships, Career, Spirituality, Body Image.
We discuss things that are pressing on your mind. We bring up topics you hadn't thought about before.
The intention is to empower you to become more of what you really want to be in your life and personal interactions.
- Small intimate group environment
Individual attention
- Accountability, shared goals, and successes
- Build relationships and laugh
- Build body image and self-esteem, and develop clearer relationship and career goals
- Discuss topics that you are passionate about or that are perplexing you.
- Weekly meeting
The group is $75 per month. Month to Month commitment.
Call melissa@myheartdances.com or 917-689-6530 if you would like to discuss your interest.
Organic Cooking Classes
Organic food, Organic Fun, and Good Company
November 29
Creamy Tofu Soup
w/ Mustard Greens
Baked Rosemary
w/ Caraway Sweet Potato
Basic Jasmine Rice
Vegan Peanut Butter Pie
December 7
Meatless Meatloaf
Rosemary Caraway Sweet Pot.
Mustard Green Stir Fry
Homemade Applesauce
December 20
Veggie Quiche
Red Wine Vinaigrette Potatoes
Buckwheat w/ Bell Peppers
Pumpkin Muffins
January 15
Red Lentil Stew
w/ Root Veggies
Basmati Rice
Crunchy Veggie Slaw w/ Apple
Sauteed Broccoli
Don't see a class on the days you are available?
Make a request
melissa@myheartdances.com
Pre-Register Today -
Only $50 per class
All classes are held
on the Upper West Side
Class is from 6:30 until 8:30pm
And includes all of the following
*Hands-on instruction
*Meet New People
*Learn cool facts and tips about the food you are making
*Get healthy tips
*Receive a copy of the recipe to take home
*Enjoy a DELICIOUS meal at the end of class!
Made by The Fabulous YOU!
Please contact Melissa at melissa@myheartdances.com for more details and to register, or call 917-689-6530 |
™ was developed to support individuals in living from their heart and going after what they want in life. Our mission is to support you in deciding to be honest with yourself and be honest with others so you can face your fears and go after your dreams to "let your heart dance!"