Diary Of A Loser: Week 3
Editor’s Note: This is a continuing series on one woman’s quest for weightloss. Click here to see past entries.
Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I am nervous.
Really, I have no reason to be because the same thing happens every year: I cook crazy amounts of food, preferably in advance. And everything I make, while delicious, begins to turn me off. By the time we get to the dinner table, all I have is tiny portions of everything. And then I don’t really eat what I have. I do indulge in the pumpkin pie though - my favorite. And then it’s time to clean up and think about next year.
But I am still nervous.
There are holiday parties to attend. Treats being made and passed. Large-scale dinners. And lest we forget the biggest enemy: self-sabotage. I am very guilty of the self-sabotage. You know, listening to that nagging little voice that tells you one more piece isn’t going to kill you or encouraging you to just try a bite, knowing that a bite never stops there. Ugh. It’s the worst. But I am learning to ignore it.
Tomorrow. On Thanksgiving. My goal is to not eat too much. Shouldn’t be too hard, considering that I am not really fond of the food, though I enjoy making it and everyone raves when they eat it. In fact, I am more looking forward to what I do with the leftovers after Thanksgiving. That and cooking are the fun parts.
What am I thankful for this year? Weighing about 20 pounds less than last Thanksgiving, for one thing. My son, my family, my job, my food writing . . . my wonderful friends who keep me focused. My increased skill in the kitchen, and the courage to try things knowing that they might fail (and being okay with it if they do). There is a lot to be thankful for.
In any case, back to the weight issue. There is some debate how much people really gain during the holiday season. Some estimate that it’s only one pound while others put the number at 5-7 pounds. Whatever the case, I want to be the exception to the rule this year. Come January 1, I want to proudly say that I have lost 5-7 lbs, or more.
Here’s how:
- moderation - When offered treats, I will have small portions if I really want them and then stop. They’ll be no seconds or thirds, no big pieces, no indulging beyond the small portion.
- extra walking - Rather than drive around the shopping center aimlessly for an hour to find the closest spot, I am going to park far away right away and relish in the extra exercise that will provide (particularly with the frigid New England air, which automatically makes you walk twice as fast)
- one for me, the rest for you - When I make the holiday treats (which I have to, it’s my thing) I am going to give them away to my coworkers, my husband’s coworkers and our family. One for me, the rest for everyone else.
- lots of salads for lunch - They are quick and easy to prepare at home. And a little homemade soup can really round this out into a great midday meal. And let’s not even get into the COST SAVINGS associated with taking your own lunch.
How are you going to avoid the holiday gain? What are you thankful for?
Great tips.
After treats end up in my home, I immediately bring them to work and set them out. They are typically gone within the hour. I’m more popular for it, and thinner as well.
One tip you’ve mentioned has proven to be not only the easiest to adopt, but has another benefit: Parking further away, using the stairs instead of the elevator, etc., is not only easy to do, but, I’ve found it just eliminates so much stress!
When I arrive at work and see the lines of cars looking for the closest parking spot or the cherry spaces nearest the elevators, I just scoot around and go all the way to the barren area in back, and then walk peacefully to the building. Guess what? I arrive at the same time as most of my coworkers who fought over spaces, or circled favorite rows.
My day begins with one less stress factor, and my legs thank me for the nice walk.