Let’s talk turkey!

For those of you that have read this blog for a while, you have heard my rants on this before. I’m going to repeat myself here - it may be more beneficial for new people, but I suppose that we could all use it as a reminder.

I’ve heard people all week talk about the stress that comes with getting together with family over Thanksgiving. And no doubt it can be a stressful time. Many of us are going to see relatives and in-laws that we don’t see too often - some we don’t see for a reason!!

If you are in the midst of a weight loss journey, this holiday - which seems SO focused on food for most families - it can be extra pressure. So I’ll offer some words of wisdom here - take them or leave them. And certainly if you have anything to add, please feel free to comment!

First off, I recommend you have a PLAN! If you have lost some weight or gained some - people are going to notice. And you might get some comments and questions. What are you comfortable sharing with people? Do you want to keep it vague and say “I’ve been trying to eat healthier and exercise some.” OR do you want to brag it up? “I’ve lost 50 pounds and I work out 4 times per week!!” Either way you decide to go is great - but preparing and knowing what you’re going to say helps.

Now perhaps the most important decision to make is how you are going to eat tomorrow. Stay strictly on plan? Indulge a little? Eat whatever you want and not worry about it? Any of those choices is right. It’s YOUR body and YOUR choice.

Unfortunately, most families have at least one person that feels the need to comment and question your choices. You know whether you have that person in your family and you should prepare your response.

So when you great uncle loudly asks “Are you SURE you want to eat that piece of pie?” What will you say? “What I put in my body is none of your fucking business!” Is one way to respond - that would be more my style. Or you can tell him that you’ve decided to treat yourself today.

How about a well meaning mother-in-law who - if you decide NOT to have the piece of pie - tells you that you are looking “too thin” and that you need to eat more? What will you say to that? You can tell her that you and your doctor have discussed what a healthy weight is and that this is your goal.

There is no doubt that situations like this are hard. And I think that MANY of us deal with such shame and guilt surrounding our weight and eating that we feel that we don’t have the right to stand up for ourselves.

Well let me tell you - you don’t need to be ashamed - you don’t need to feel badly and you DON’T deserve to be treated like crap. So don’t allow it.

I hope that most of you reading this are lucky enough that you will be in a positive supportive environment and that you just are able to relax and enjoy the day. But if you know that you’ll face challenges, the best defense as they say is a good offense. Be prepared, be confident. OWN your choices as being right for YOU!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!