Weight Loss Surgery Forums

10 Tips for a Low-Stress Thanksgiving
by Cathy Wilson, ACC, CLC
Director of ObesityHelp Support Group Leader Program

When many of us think of Thanksgiving, whether we cook and decorate like Martha Stewart or not, our stress levels can rise dramatically.  A few years ago, I didn?t take out the turkey to defrost soon enough so we had to put it in a water bath and wake up every two hours to turn the turkey and change the water so it could defrost.  For me, a stress-free Thanksgiving is having the turkey defrosted and enjoying the day.

As weight loss surgery patients, some of our stress comes from all the food choices that we aren?t faced with normally.  It?s no wonder we can get stressed about food at Thanksgiving because the average Thanksgiving meal can consist of 2,500 calories!  Thanksgiving can provide opportunities to go off track from our normal eating plan and the accompanying stress of all the decisions regarding food to eat (or not eat).

Below are a few tips to help lower your stress and make this Thanksgiving a holiday event you will want to remember and one that you will not see reflected on the scale.

1.  Plan ahead.  If you are hosting the Thanksgiving get-together, include some healthy dishes that you will be able to enjoy.  If you are a guest, bring your own weight loss surgery friendly dish.  You?ll know there will be a dish and a protein that will be available for you to enjoy and assist you in avoiding other food temptations.

2.  Rally the troops.  Make this year's Thanksgiving meal a potluck and let each guest bring a dish of their own.  To control the menu, ask guests if they would mind making a certain dish on the menu for your traditional meal. 

3.  Move it to lose it.  Take part in some type of physical activity before and after the meal.  You can start burning off some of the Thanksgiving calories that day.  Go outside and play with the kids or take a walk with family and friends.  Get in your normal exercise for the day.  It will remind you of your weight loss surgery goals throughout the day.

4.  Clean it up.  Offer to help clear the table and clean up the kitchen.  You?ll score points for helping to clean up after the meal and also burn a few calories.  No bites in the clean up process allowed!  This will prevent you from falling into the couch coma and zone out on the many football games on television.

5.  Just say NO to leftovers.  Don?t accept any of the leftovers that will have survived the Thanksgiving meal.  There will be plenty of other guests that will be glad to take the leftovers.  If you are the host, have many take-home containers available for leftovers to get them out of your kitchen.

6.  Don?t fall back into old family patterns.  If a family member can push your buttons, be aware of this probability and think in advance how to deal with it so it doesn?t negatively impact your holiday.  Thanksgiving is a time to see people that we normally don?t include in our lives on a consistent basis.  Be prepared for any anxiety that comes along and make a promise not to indulge in emotional eating to cope with these situations.

7.  Lower your expectations.  The ?perfect? Thanksgiving doesn?t exist.  Keep your expectations in check so you don?t set yourself up for disappointment in striving for perfection.

8.  Dine out for Thanksgiving.  Go out to a restaurant for your Thanksgiving meal.  For many people, it is the preferable situation ? no leftovers, no fuss or muss, no preparations or cleanup.  You can enjoy your meal and celebrate the holiday and the only thing you have to do is to make reservations. 

9.  Volunteer.  If you?re alone this Thanksgiving or want to spend your holiday in a different way, volunteer.  Sharing time with those in need can be a meaningful way to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Give the gift of yourself this Thanksgiving.

10.  Gratitude.  The reason for Thanksgiving is to be grateful.  Focus on what you're grateful for in your life.  One way that helps put the holiday in perspective is having each person at your Thanksgiving meal is to tell others what they are thankful for.  

Thanksgiving is a day to enjoy the company of your friends and family and to have fun. It is a day meant for you to be together and be thankful. Thanksgiving should be about all about those you love and care about and appreciating the good things in your life.  Just remember to defrost your turkey!