There are days that support weight loss and days that don’t.
Some days are simply maintenance days – days that influence neither loss nor gain. Then there are some days that could be weight gain days. Thanksgiving is one of those days!
Before you panic and worry that you’ll blow all the progress you made so far with your weight loss, let me assure you that a weight gain day, or even two or 3 in a row isn’t going to keep you from getting to goal. it doesn’t even have to noticeably slow you down. You just need an adjustable plan!
Thanksgiving is more than a big meal.
Thanksgiving is an eating event! It’s a lot of food all day, all night and usually all the rest of the weekend too. That is where there could be some trouble. Confining your Thanksgiving festivities into just the one day is tricky because you still are in a festive mood on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There’s a lot of high-calorie goodies left over. In fact, there may be enough high-calorie goodies left over to be tempting all through the following week!
My strategy for the long 4-day Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend is as follows:
Thursday, Thanksgiving Day!
Eat like a King! Just eat! Have what you want without guilt or self-recrimination!
Friday!
Eat like a Prince! Give yourself a little bit of wiggle room to exceed your normal food plan limits, without getting carried away. It’s a good day to get some exercise by engaging in various physical activities both necessary (yard work, getting out/up Christmas decorations, Black Friday shopping) and entertaining (Black Friday shopping, taking a hike, going bowling, playing a game of hoops or touch football with the family.)
Saturday!
Eat like a Queen! Pay attention to portions and overall balance of nutrients. A treat is allowed but eat with a little “ladylike restraint.” This applies to men as well as women.
Sunday!
Eat like a Pauper! Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables and small amounts of protein and grains. Don’t try to make up for eating a lot on Thanksgiving; just reduce your calories to a lower than normal, but not uncomfortable level. Keep moving!
By Monday you’re ready to fully return to your normal weight control food plan.
You should be able to pick up where you left off because you had a reasonable strategy that kept you from throwing caution to the wind but allowed enough flexibility to fully enjoy this once-a-year event!
FYI:
CALORIE AND FAT GRAMS COUNT FOR A TYPICAL THANKSGIVING MEAL
Calories / Fat
4 slices of turkey breast (about 4 oz. serving) 320 / 12
1 cup stuffing 350 / 17
1/2 cup gravy 100 / 8
1 cup mashed potatoes 237 / 9
1 cup green bean casserole 350 / 17
1/2 cup cranberry sauce 110 / 0
2 biscuits 340 / 12
1 cup sweet potatoes 285 / 7
1/8 of 9″ pumpkin pie 320 / 15
Remember that this calorie count is only for the meal. You will probably have extras available before and after such as nuts, stuffed celery, stuffed mushrooms, cranberry bread, cider, wine, cheese and crackers, chocolates, chips and dips, and Chex mix to name just a few….
….and that’s how you reach or exceed the 4500 calorie count for the day!