By Staff
Ready or not here it comes! The countdown has begun. Only a few days till we kick off the holiday season and we all know what that means - lots of food.
It would be silly for me to say only eat healthy and don't indulge in some of that wonderful food you will be tempted with. Instead let's look at what most of our Thanksgiving Day dinners have looked like in the past and what they could look like this year.
8 a.m. Skip breakfast because there are too many calories and you want to save up for the BIG dinner.
11 a.m. You are starving so you begin to snack on potato chips, dips, crackers, cheese, and wash it down with some soda.
1 p.m. Hit the holiday dinner feeling starved. Plow through the first helping in 15 minutes. Easily take seconds and willingly scarf down thirds. Now you are stuffed and it is time for dessert. Forgot to save room, so you eat two small pieces anyways.
2 p.m. Help clear the table; nibble on leftovers that you figure are too small to be saved.
3 p.m. Collapse in the Lazy Boy, unsnap your pants, and fall asleep during one of the many football games.
8 p.m. Sneak into the kitchen for some leftover turkey and a piece of that yummy pecan pie. Make sure to wash off the plate so no one knows.
11 p.m. Stumble into the bathroom for some of that medicine that fizzes up in water for that terrible upset stomach and heartburn. Toss and turn for the rest of the night.
7 a.m. Wake up with a splitting headache. Check your weight on the scale; frown. Yell at the kids and snap at the dog.
Total calories consumed: approximately 7,000
Fun factor (scale of 1-10): 3
Fun to be around factor: 1
7 a.m. Wake up; eat a leisurely breakfast of oatmeal, toast, and non-fat milk.
9 a.m. RUN/WALK THE 1ST SOURCE BANK/NILES BUCHANAN YMCA THANKSGIVING DAY RUN.
11:30 a.m. Have a nice warm shower and a light snack, ex: cup of soup, some crackers.
2 p.m. Enjoy your holiday dinner. Choose small portions of all your favorites but pass up the stuff you are not crazy about. Take your time to eat and stop eating before you feel stuffed. Save yourself room for that desert you've been waiting all day for. Eat little slices not big slices.
3 p.m. Help clean up. If you are tempted to eat some of the leftovers, chew on some gum or sip on a beverage to keep yourself occupied.
5 p.m. Take an invigorating walk with family and friends, play family games, have conversation, and go see a movie.
7 p.m. A little hungry-enjoy a light serving of leftovers, just do not overdo it.
10 p.m. Hit the sack and sleep like a baby.
7 a.m. Wake up refreshed. Check weight on bathroom scale; smile. Hug the kids and pat the dog.
Total calories consumed: approximately 2,000
Fun Factor (scale 1-10): 10
Fun to be around: 10
Use these tips and have a great Thanksgiving Day. Remember if you do slip up and end up like the person on the "naughty" list, you're human and it is not the end of the world; just start fresh the next day.
Only a few more days until the Annual 1st Source Bank/Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run. Make sure to sign up.
Thought of the week: Have a safe holiday!!!