Thanksgiving...A Time for THANKS!
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and everyone is planning away at PNP on how to pack their coolers, bring clean, healthy dishes to their holiday gatherings, and stay active so that Thanksgiving is left with happy memories and not days and days filled with regret and bloated bellies.
Today on the elliptical I was thinking about what makes the holiday special. My mind wandered to my grandparents who are now gone. I was so spoiled by them and still a day doesn't go by since losing them both to cancer that I don't think of them. What made them instantly pop into my head? I guess it was just thinking about food and contemplating its importantance on this holiday. Food was always a big deal in my family and Thanksgiving was just one more day to eat GOOD.
Some of fondest memories of food, though, were in the summer. Paw Paw grew the best and most flavorful tomatoes. In my twenties I worked about three miles from my grandparents so most days during tomato season II would leave work and head to their house to enjoy a tomato-cheese sandwich on white bread with mayo. I usually followed it up with some chips...boy, have I come a long way! Talk about heavenly goodness, those sandwiches can't be touched by any restaurant anywhere.
When I look back on those lunches it's not the sandwich that I truly remember. I do remember them being good but they weren't special. It's the time that Paw Paw and I shared at the table talking about my day, what was important to me, and his way of always making me feel beautiful and special when I didn't believe it myself. You can imagine a steady diet of those sandwiches during the summer didn't do a lot for my figure or my self-esteem, but Paw Paw sure made up for it with his love.
If I could have one thing in the world these days it wouldn't be a tomato-cheese sandwich; it would be the chance to sit with him and Granny one last time to get advice and feel truly listened to again. I think we all need to remember that Thanksgiving has a lot of food, but it's not about what we eat that defines the holiday. It's about sharing memories, seeing loved ones we might not see much longer, and appreciating the time we all have together.
My advice for handling this holiday is simple. Enjoy it. It's just one day out of 356 you have to eat right and exercise. Make the holiday about loving those around you as much as you possibly can. If you want to eat, do it and get back on track Friday. If you want to stay clean and eat healthy, do it and don't stress or make a big deal out of it. Whichever you choose just own your decision and keep it to yourself. Let Thanksgiving be about the things it should be: giving thanks for your family, friends, and blessings. It's not about your diet and it's not about mashed potatoes and pie.
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Workout Journal:Arms and Elliptical for 30 min.
4x8-12 Single Arm Bicep Curls 15lbs
4x12 BB Wide Grip Curls 35lbs
4x12 OH Tricep Extensions 30lbs
2xdrop sets of Rope Pressdowns
I have to say my entire body is sore after this week. I still have my 12-mile run left to do on Sunday. Tomorrow is DOR!!!
Food Journal:
B - Oatmeal with 1/2 cup of Fage
S - postworkout EAS shake and apple slices
L - SBD Pizza
S - 3 tbs of peanut butter
D - 1 chicken *** with asparugus and red pepper slices, steamed broc with a slice of 2% cheese melted on top
S - 1 cup cottage cheese with SF Jelly and Splenda