With US Thanksgiving just around the corner, there are probably many events to derail you from your program. There’s the actual Thanksgiving event, weekend marathon shopping, countless sporting events, and, of course, time with family or friends because it is the weekend. 

I probably have to line up early at the mall for a limited pair of Black Friday Air Jordan basketball shoes with my hubby. Traditions are probably plentiful for everyone this weekend.

By staying completely on track with your program during the week, this is an opportune time to use your FREE MEAL strategy on a weekend as event filled as this. I always stress that food is so much more than nutritional sustenance or biological development especially when it comes to an event that gathers family and friends together. 

It is a time for joy, celebration, and building cherished memories with loved ones. It certainly is NOT a time for worrying about if you’re off of plan, worrying if you sabotaged all of your hard work, or stressing everyone else out because of your diet (this last one happens quite a bit and I’ve been guilty of this in the past. It’s annoying. Don’t do it). Enjoy yourself guilt free.

If you have a goal of transforming your body, be RESPONSIBLE with your food choices and food portions (for Thanksgiving try to choose white meat, limit gravy, limit dessert, limit alcohol consumption, and take it easy on the stuffing). This is the one caveat that I have when it comes to eating off of plan – CONTROL IT!

To me, the strategy of responsibly choosing foods off of plan is just as important as being compliant during the week. I highly encourage using the FREE MEAL (but use it correctly!) because the strategy of developing these skills will help build a foundation of healthy, long-term habits that will help you long after your dieting phase is over and will help you maintain the body that you worked so hard to achieve.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Gobble, gobble! 🙂