It's Not What You Think

Welcome to Thanksgiving, where we get to enjoy family, friends, stories, laughter, and festive foods. If you think this post is going to be about not eating this delightful meal, you would be wrong. My goal is to get you to eat in moderation and enjoy your delectable meal with pleasure.

My favorite foods come out this time of year. The table is spread with turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, candied yams, yeast rolls, fruit salad, pumpkin and pecan pies... The list goes on. I bet you are adding foods to this list as you read this. Guess what? You can eat them. All of it! The key is to enjoy them in moderation. Don't pile your plate to the sky! You are going to feel miserable if you do! Get smaller portions of the foods you love and savor every bite. Eat slowly and make all the mmmm and joyful noises while you eat. Make a fool of yourself as you enjoy tasting your food. Trust me, everyone will have a good time watching your pleasant expressions, especially those who cooked the meal. They worked hard for you to have this moment of bliss!

Depriving ourselves of these splurges only hurts us and will cause us to derail. You should enjoy these meals and then back to eating healthy. It will keep you on track. When you eat petite portions, it will be easier to work off after the holidays. You can enjoy leftovers as well, but keep your servings small. I recommend one meal a day. I would make it lunch. You are still moving around during the day. If you make it dinner, it will stay with you, because you are settling in for the evening and not as active.

Remember to drink an abundance of water. Before you eat or drink, start your morning with a tall glass of water. It will begin your day on course. Try to drink it throughout the day as well. These are heavy foods you are about to eat, so the water will help flush your system, keep you hydrated, and swelling to a minimum. Try to go for a walk or do your favorite form of exercise. Being active will help keep the holiday weight down. You are probably going to gain some weight. It is inevitable, but you can be proactive in keeping it on the lower side.

From my home to yours, I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and sending a great big hug with lots of love.

Numbers 6: 24-26- "The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."

These are whom I am most thankful for. Pic taken in January 2024.