― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because of its focus on gratitude. When I was younger, I never viewed this holiday in this way; it was an opportunity to eat – a lot. These days I enjoy the food, but it is really secondary. Instead, I use this time to reflect and express appreciation for all the blessings in my life.

How about you? Do you count your blessings on a regular basis?

If you struggle with food and weight issues it can be easy to get focused on what’s wrong:  you may fret about your weight, feel out of control with food, and the holidays (though enjoyable) often bring stressful obligations and even more weight gain, which leaves you desperate to diet the weight off in January.

Let’s get honest. Has this ever really worked for you?

If so, you probably wouldn’t be reading this right now.

Why not try something different this year?

Why not, make a vow to nurture yourself through the holidays?

What does this look like, you may ask?

• Find ways to feel grateful about your life, your body (just as it is), and be good to yourself. It’s hard to feel down or negative when you’re practicing gratitude.

• In the evening, list 1-3 things that you're grateful for that day.
  

• Enjoy the food but don’t make it the main focus of the holidays.

• Practice keying into your hunger cues and eating when you’re hungry and stopping when content and satisfied.  Don’t tell yourself the story that you’d better eat all you now can because in January it’s going to be “that time of year again.”

• Be present with the food, eat slowly and savor it.
  

• Say no to people, invitations, places, and the things that don’t support your aliveness.

• Practice showing appreciation for and seeing the good in the people who you spend time with.

• At family gatherings, try to connect with all the people there by asking them questions. Try to be genuinely interested in others, including that eccentric aunt of yours.

• Take time for yourself and get enough rest so that you don’t end up feeling frazzled, resentful, and overburdened by taking on too many obligations.

• Spend only what you can truly afford to spend.

By doing this, you will start the New Year feeling good about yourself and you will be motivated to continue on the path of self-nurturance, instead of self-deprivation (diets). You will be grateful that you had the courage to move beyond your usual and automatic ways of responding to the holidays and be left hungry for more.

Wishing you all a mindful and abundant Thanksgiving!

Blessings,

Catherine