Are We Only Thankful for the Food?

Admit it - you are already dreaming about your Thanksgiving spread. The shopping list is getting longer and longer. The dessert menu is getting longer and longer. The resolve you had last month and last week is dimming. Your Mental Rehearsing is morphing from filling your plate with veggies, to drinking some sort of "-tini" and tasting every dessert, just this one time...

Try your best to use all the tools we've been talking about in our Weight Watchers meetings, especially Asking for Help and Positive Self Talk. I think the best strategy will be out of sight, out of mind. Don't make too much food, send the leftovers home with your guests and don't bring any decadent foods home just to "be nice". Let the barrel be you friend. Better in that can, than yours...

Another important strategy is to NOT think about what you want to eat. You know the whole if you say, "Don't think about chocolate cake", that's all you think about! On Thanksgiving, think about the people. Think about what you are thankful for and think about what you REALLY want. So if you are tired, or need to take care of yourself, lie down. Read a magazine. Watch an episode of Oprah before she retires. When we spend too much time taking care of everyone and everything else, we look for easy escapes, like eating whatever carb is in the kitchen, and never giving ourselves what we really NEED.

Last year we ran out of time to send Christmas cards. I was relieved when my husband and I finally decided to skip last year. My kids really don't change too much now and it gives me a reason to call the friends I really want to connect with. Many family members will think I've stopped sending them, and will be thrilled to get a card this year. And I can't wait to send them! Make this holiday season about your traditions, and spending time doing what makes you happy, not doing what you think you SHOULD be doing.

Make sure the list of holiday gifts includes some for you.

And put them on the TOP of the list!