TURKEY DAY PLAN OF ATTACK! 6 TIPS TO STAY ON TRACK!

Tomorrow, for Turkey Day, an epic battle will be waged (for me, no different than any other day!) 

Tomorrow, the ENEMY (food) and I will gather at the battle ground, the table!! 

Face to food face, a line will be drawn  in the terrain!  And I will rise to the challenge  and fight to fulfill the promise I made to myself when I started the CrossFit Challenge. I vowed to honestly put forth 167% by committing to 4 workouts a week, tracking my food intake and making WISE, but HEALTHIER food choices. So far, so fabulous (few bobbles here and there)!

I refuse to let one day break that vow! THANKSGIVING, you will NOT get the best of me.

So, tomorrow I plan to go into battle  ARMED and READY FOR ATTACK!!! Armed with the tools necessary to stay on track. My goal this Thanksgiving, not gain one single pound. Of course a loss would be ideal, but maintaining or not gaining shall suffice. 

So what's my plan of attack to stay on track this turkey day?

1. PLAN YOUR GRUB! My mom and I collaborated on the menu: 

• Turkey
• Mustard Green
• Purple Hull Peas
• Okra
• Macaroni 
• Sweet Potatoes
• Collard Greens
• Paleo Sweet Potato Pie

Instead of our usual starchy smorgasbord, we decided to prepare more vegetable side dishes. Side note, as a CrossFitter, the coaches encourage the participants to commit to a Paleo Diet. Most of the items on our menu, except the macaroni, represent paleo friendly choices. 

This year, my mom and I incorporated some Paleo meals into our festivities. For our Wednesday hors d'ouevres we decided to make some Paleo friendly stuffed mushrooms.


For thanksgiving my Mom wants the recipe for the Paleo Pumpkin Sweet Potato Pie. Or she may use the paleo crust recipe to make our favorite waist-line friendly key lime pie.

2. SHAKE A TAIL FEATHER! Plan to participate in some type of physical activity on Thanksgiving Day. I regret not signing up for the 5K Turkey Trot. Instead of wallowing in regret I intend on walking or jogging for at least 2 miles in the morning. I may throw in some squat thrusts w/weights and a few push-ups. 

2. BATTLE GEAR-When you suit up for battle, remember to leave the buffet pants at home. Buffet pants include all pants containing elastic in the waist which expands with your stomach. In my opinion, baggy sweaters and elastic pants, gives you the invitation to overindulge. By wearing clothes that fit, you know to stop when the button on your pants starts unraveling.

3. AVOID FAMILY Just Kidding! TRY TO CONTROL YOUR ENVIRONMENT! This Thanksgiving I opted to stay home with my boys. What better way to control your environment, by staying in your OWN environment.


By staying home I control what I eat and when I eat. My mom cooked our dinner, so I know she took the necessary measures to ensure the food is prepared to help, not hinder my weight loss efforts. 


Not everyone possesses the luxury of a mom who makes your own to-go Thanksgiving meal, and for that I am thankful!! For those of you without control of your environment, beware of food pushers.  


Food pushers come in all varieties, from your sweet Aunt Hattie to the Unnamed-Hater-Extraordinaire Distant Relative. Here's a few ways to say NO to your pusher:

The PUSHER: "Can you eat that? I thought you were on a diet!" 

YOUR Response:  "Are you from the department of  CAN YOU EAT THAT? ARE YOU TAKING A CAN YOU EAT THAT CENSUS?  Yes, I can eat THAT. I can eat what I want...in moderation." 

The Pusher: "That's all you're going to eat! Girl it's Thanksgiving! Pile that plate up!"

YOUR Response: "Yes it is Thanksgiving, but I'd like to live to see another! From the looks of your plate your days are numbered." 

I said I had a few ways, to say no. I never said they were nice ways. How do you say no? 


Back to the list...Oh yeah, ways to stay on track.


4. THE CARNAGE- What to do you do with the leftovers? One option, send the leftovers home with guests. Or what I decided to do with  leftover side dishes, divvy them into plastic containers and freeze. 


With the left over turkey I plan to make the following: *You have to read the next part in you FORREST GUMP VOICE* turkey salad, turkey soup, turkey chili, turkey tacos, turkey wraps, turkey sandwiches, turkey enchiladas, turkey tetrizzini, turkey spaghetti, turkey stuffed bell peppers, turkey stock, turkey omelets, turkey quesadillas, turkey pitas...LOL.


5. If YOU know YOU plan to do some damage at Thanksgiving dinner, eat a healthy breakfast or lunch.


6. When plating my meal, I intend on using a smaller plate...less room, less food. As well, the TNT rule will apply...TNT stands for Things Not Touching. In the past I plated my meal and squeezed & squished as many choices on the plate that would fit, with food almost running over the sides of the plate. Another tip to for me to remember, more than 1/2 of my plate will consist of veggies. 


7. BONUS TIP!-This year I made the decision to forgo some of my favorites like dirty rice and cornbread dressing. I figured I can eat those side dishes all year round. There's nothing special about dirty rice or cornbread dressing. 





So, think about it...can you think of a not-so-special, high calorie, unhealthy food that you can do with out? Tell me, is there a special dish only offered at Thanksgiving? 


With a battle plan like that, VICTORY is MINE! So, what do you choose, VICTORY OR FOOD COMA!? As I lead us into battle let me leave you with an inspirational battle cry to keep you motivated:

REMEMBER, FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION! In the immortal words of the administrative staff at our school, MAKE IT A GREAT DAY....or not. THE CHOICE IS YOURS!


Ready for tomorrow!?!?!?! Push play...

CHARGE!!!