I'm thankful....

There are times (the last month in particular) when I host a mini pity-party for myself. While I do believe that all things are relative (example: a thin woman can feel the need to lose weight when she gains __ pounds, because that is uncomfortable for her - when I feel like that is just plain silliness, because she is 1/9th my size, and I would like very much to be that tiny) I have no legitimate reason to have this solo festivals of ridiculousness. So for Thanksgiving weekend, I decided to celebrate all of the things (and there are way more than I listed here) why I am one damn lucky lady. So, without further delay - my list of thanks (in no particular order).

I am thankful... for my parents. No matter what my issue - and Lord knows there have been (and continue to be) many...I know I can count on them to always be there to help. Always. Shout out to Sue & Steve. You guys rule.

I am thankful... for my nieces and nephew. I have known for years that kids weren't in the cards for me, and I still totally feel that way - but I am astounded by how much I love these little people. They are so awesomely entertaining. I'm so lucky to be a part of their growing up...and I really can't wait to watch their parents deal with that! Shout out to Macy, Jorey & G. Steve. You guys remind me I'm not completely dead inside.

I am thankful... that I decided to stock up on all sorts of kitchen supplies, even though I never cooked. Now that I cook regularly, this crap is really coming in handy.

I am thankful... that I have a job. This isn't a given these days. And having one I like is a bonus.

I am thankful... for my friends. You have let me live with you, introduced me to hiking and tolerate my anti-fitness, got me a phone when I "lost" mine, met me for countless gym dates, stood in as my IT specialist, and on and on and on. You put up with my victory dances and sass. I have friends from high school that although we only get together every couple of months, it's like we've never been apart. I prefer quality over quantity, and you guys are quality. You're just there...when there is no reason for you to be.

I am thankful... for helpful family friends. When JaLisa decided she wanted to challenge me last week, Mr. G stopped to test some things, and tried to get her started. Then he coordinated her tow and repair. Shout out to you Kenny G. You are handy as hell, and I appreciate you.

I am thankful... for my family. All the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, whatever you call the kids of your cousins, etc. I love that we still get together - maybe not as often as we used to, but we still see each other a few times a year. I love that you allow me to be a part of your lives. I appreciate each of you who does all the work of organizing, so we continue to celebrate holidays together. It's exhausting, but it's awesome. We are lucky.

I am thankful... that one of my grandma's was still alive to read my first (hopefully of many) book. Having your 80 year old granny tell you she really enjoyed your book is a pretty frickin' sweet thing. Shout out to Kay. She's living proof that you should smoke'm if you got'em. She's 80, and still likes her cigs. Enjoy your life, people. You only get one.

I am thankful... for the word "ninja". It never fails to make me smile.

I am thankful... that I still have my health. I may not be as healthy as I like, but I have my health. I can still work-out. I'm not on medication. It isn't something to be taken for granted.

I am thankful... for my sisters. Few people are lucky enough to have close relationships with their siblings like we do - not to mention you guys make me laugh like nobody else can. Ripping that piss-saturated carpet out really bonded us forever. Shout out to Wendy & Mackenzie. I love you.

What are you thankful for?

What is Your Strategy For the Fight?

And no - I don't mean fisticuffs. I am a lover, not a fighter. I am talking about the internal fight that it takes a person who loves food, and really loves fattening food, to not inhale a week's worth of calories and fat grams in one day. OK - that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my drift. The holiday's are a nightmare for anyone who is trying to eat low calorie, low fat and low sodium. Everything seems to come along with heavy cream, butter, salt, butter, sugar...and did I mention butter? Our only hope is to pray there is a fresh veggie tray, and then will yourself to stay away from the dip!

So I have been working on devising a plan for myself for weeks now. How to make sure I get my exercise in, and don't treat my return trip to Minnesota as a workout-free vacation, like I usually do. How to keep my calorie/fat intake to a minimum while still enjoying myself, and not feeling completely deprived. It is going to be a challenge - I am not deluding myself into believing it is going to be easy - but I am also sure I can do it. Here is what I've come up with so far:

• I have contacted a local gym, and will be going to do my weight lifting at 6 or 6:0am on Thursday. From there I am going to head to Dynamic Fitness, where Molly has been kind enough to throw an earlier bootcamp class in the mix, and let her kick my ass for a while.
• I am going to  hope and pray that the fact that I went and busted my rear in the morning will help me not want to eat like a pig the whole day. It has been working for the last couple of days in my cocoon - so I'm going to take it out in the real world, and see how it goes.
• I will not eat appetizers. I will eat only at mealtime, and I will not go back for seconds.
• I will have all of the things that I want, but in much smaller quantities than usual.
• I know that people in the know suggest getting out and going for a walk after lunch, but let's be serious. It is cold, and I am dressed up. Well - maybe not dressed up....but I am in jeans instead of FPs. I am not going out and freezing my ass off (the result if I walk slow enough to not turn into a complete sweaty mess) to go for a walk. Instead, I will try and help do dishes (I saw something about a 150# person burns 156 cals/hour washing dishes) and then I will remove myself from the food.
• For dinner, I will repeat the same plan.

This isn't a diet with a deadline. This is my life. I have to figure out how to make it adaptable to real situations, because I am hoping to be around for a few more Thanksgivings.

What tips do you have for enjoying your holiday, without blowing your whole week?