So, this week on Thursday it will be Thanksgiving for those of us in the
US. I'm from the Netherlands so I did not used to have Thanksgiving
there, but here it's one of the big holidays. And especially in the
winter holidays, it's all about food, I've noticed. That's how things
here in the US get celebrated if I look at my experiences between then
and now. Food is the event here, much more than in my childhood home in
the Netherlands, since everything is organized around food.
I just restarted my healthy eating again (for the umpteenth time) about 2
weeks ago. I've already failed 2 or 3 days, but on the other hand I
have found that it helps to have a plan in place for this month. I have
SAD or what used to be called Winter Depression and carb cravings are a
big part of that condition. I use a daylight lamp and a dawn simulator,
but those do not help with the carb cravings. Giving up diet soda helped
a little, the cravings are now about 40 percent of what they were, or
maybe even a third, but they're definitely not gone.
So I need to hold onto my keto plan, knowing that during the actual
holiday of Thanksgiving and Xmas eve and Xmas day and New Years Eve I
will be going off plan -just for those days-. But this helps me (I know
from my own experience) to eat healthier during the entire month when
the holidays are not actually there yet or have just passed. IT's a
Holiday, not a Holiweek or a Holimonth as my Weight Watchers leader
always says (I go for the emotional support, not the diet, tried it,
keto is the only thing that works for me).
I know I fall out of keto if I break my plan or actually have a holiday
meal but that helps me keep on it as much as possible, and sometimes I
actually go to say 100 gr of carbs instead of the full 300 that people
are 'supposed' to eat (doesn't work for me I'd be wayyy bigger now if I
did that). I also do things like for my work's goodie day where everyone
brings sweets I will be bringing a sugar free low carb pumpkin pie
baked with stevia, I think that will help me stay the course. I will be
doing the same and bake that pie to bring to our friend's family
thanksgtiving Thursday. THe hardest part is finding the time and energy
to bake, but without that the chances of me failing are very, very much
higher.
Another tip I remember from my Weight Watchers leader, focus on doing
something non-food related together. So I'll try to suggest a short walk
in nature (as much as I can with my chronic fatigue) or go to the local
Turkey Trot to walk 10 mins or so (I can do 10 mins and sometimes even
after rest another 10!) and cheer on everyone else. Do other people have
good tips on how to make the holidays less about eating and more about
being happy?
-
Great plan! And I love the Holiweek and Holimonth quote!
- I had to learn to say no to the food as well as the food
pushers, and mean it. Tired of being sick as a result of over eating.
Legs hurting, mobility slowing. When I had enough pain from being over
weight, i stopped letting food push me around.
-
Thanksgiving is also about family, friends, being with those
you care about. The first thanksgiving was all about food, bounty.
Lots of leftovers for everyone.
I have to work that day, but DD will prepare most of it. Just the two of us here, turkey,potatoes, green bean casserole and cranberry-orange relish. Nothing more. I ma blessed to have her and the food. We have had rough times an ate nothing ..
I am going to focus on the tossed salad..
Walking is great after dinner!! Good idea!
-
I've been wondering how I'm going to face this dilemma, I
think I'll visit for a brief while then return home....staying away is
the best I can come up with!
-
Stay moving.
Written on Mon Nov 23, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment