I have not written a single blog post since summer! Now that I am home for the next 2 months for winter break, my goal is to write a post everyday. In honor of today being the day after Thanksgiving, I wanted to write about our relationship with food on this holiday.
The day is pretty much over now, and I hope no one has spent the day “detoxing” or doing more cardio than they have used to…
After we eat our meals, we say things like “time for the stretch pants” or “I need to go for a run.” I am guilty of it, as I’m sure many are. However, I think this puts sort of a negative connotation on the food itself. Why should we have to change out of our nice outfits or punish ourselves with a run just because we had that extra scoop of stuffing?
The answer is: we don’t!
Put on stretch pants because you want to and run because you enjoy the exercise. Punishing yourself with endless amounts of cardio after a big meal will do nothing for you besides give you a negative relationship with both food AND exercise!
Eating more than you normally do on thanksgiving is good because it is a treat with loved ones. Enjoy your stuffing (although I am not a fan at all), put on the extra gravy if you want it, and try each of the pies your mom made. ENJOY the food and do not call it a “cheat” meal because this is yet another negative word towards food.
Instead, remember the gym, healthy foods, and cleaner options will be there tomorrow. I thought this was a good reminder for all of us that eating a big yummy meal will not show the next day or even the next week. So, it is better to enjoy it rather than punish ourselves!
In order for a big meal to hinder your progress, you would have to eat a thanksgiving meal a whole lot more than just once on November 26th. It is possible to enjoy all the foods you like even in smaller portions or at a slower pace. Personally, I notice that if I eat slower, I feel myself getting full and I know when to stop. I like to drink water before eating & I start with smaller portions when I’m home. All these small things allow me to enjoy things like mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, while avoiding the sudden need for stretch pants and a two hour nap.
This particular post is pretty generic and “bland.” However, the message was extremely important to me this year. I have been trying not to call comfort foods “cheat meals” and enjoying a plate of pasta when I have the opportunity. Life is too short to do otherwise!
I can’t wait to post more recipe ideas and any other random thoughts that come to my head throughout the day…
Happy Black Friday
11/27/20
Growing Healthies 
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