Thanksgiving Eating; What to do? My UNconventional Answer!

The Thanksgiving holiday is about a week out.   The diet experts are starting to rear their lollipop like heads that sit atop their scrawny stick bodies preaching how we must diet through the holiday.  So these self-proclaimed experts will give you tips on how to stay on a diet.
A client me asked what I was going to eat on Thanksgiving.  I told her the same things she should ---- whatever I like.  I rarely use the word diet.  I eat what I eat. Generally, that means a  paleolithic type, low carbohydrate whole food eating regime.  Days that I don't follow my usual feeding habits I consider open eating days.
In my book, A life beyond weight loss, I have outlined what, internet, low carb guru, Jimmy Moore coined,  "planned splurges."  These are days when you predetermine not to be strict. The holidays can, and in my opinion should, be planned splurges.
Partaking, one day, every few weeks is not going to sabotage all your hard work.  We are the master's of our meals.  Being the masters, we must be disciplined and plan.  Not for the holiday, but the day after.

1- Get rid of leftovers that are not part of your regular eating regiment. I know it is wasteful, but if you are a low carber like me, the potatoes, stuffing, pie and the like go in the trash, keep the turkey and vegetables.  If the bad stuff isn't there, neither is the temptation.  If your family members aren't watching what they eat and want the leftovers, have them take the food with them.  If they live with you? Tough, they don't get them either, toss them in the trash!!!

2- Plan the next day's meals and snacks ahead of time.  After a day of cooking, setting-up, feasting and cleaning, you many not be in the mood to prepare proper foods.  To alleviate this potential problem, have your foods  ready and in the fridge.

3- Weigh yourself the next day. Don't get too hung up on the number because it will be up.  Yet, get on the scale.  The increased reading will keep you from making a one day splurge into a four to five day food fest.
4- Exercise.  I make sure to work out Thanksgiving morning before everyone gets up and then I make sure to exercise first thing Friday morning.  It is important to maintain our exercise routines. No excuses! No carbohydrate loaded laziness! Get off your butt and move.

Holidays are very food centric events.  The so-called experts will have you believe that you should not partake.  Here is the dirty little secret, you won't be good.  Part of being human is enjoying food and company. In the U.S. this often goes hand in hand.  So, if you listen to the "experts", when you overindulge, instead of  simply eating bad one day, you are now over-loaded with both food and bad feelings and next comes the emotional eating that usually accompanies guilt.

Remember, when you prepare ahead of time for the splurge and the day after, you will enjoy a guilt free holiday. 

Keep this one thought in mind:

It is not what you eat between Thanksgiving and Christmas that destroys your weight loss goals and fitness—

It is what you eat between Christmas and Thanksgiving that does the damage.

Have a happy and enjoyable Thanksgiving.

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Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, A Life Beyond Weight Loss.  He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his web site www.betterlifeseminars.com.

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************The posting that I  write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition.  I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.*************