On certain occasions, especially big holidays like Thanksgiving everyone tends to overeat. That’s no big deal. But here are a few ways to stay in touch with your natural hunger signals and honor your appetite so that you can enjoy this day to the max:
1) Eat regular meals throughout the day prior to eating your big holiday meal – Eat whatever you love throughout the whole day. Beware of the trap of the old diet mentality of saving up calories for the big meal.
2) Bring a take home container if you are going to someone else’s house
3) Wear clothes that are comfortable yet able to keep you aware of subtle changes of how your body feels
4) Wear something special that reminds you of how beautiful and empowered you are! – a special bracelet, necklace, shawl, a hair comb, or a scarf, whatever you love!
5) Listen to some inspiring music or do something you love to set the tone for the day
6) Tap in the suggestion or just tell yourself that you are going to have a wonderful Thanksgiving
7) As you prepare to eat, take a few moments to look at the food – Remember to feast with all your senses
8) Choose to put small portions of the foods on your plate that really curl your toes – you can always have more!
9) Say a quiet prayer of thanks acknowledging all of the hands and all of the lives that have participated to bring this food to you
10) Midway between the meal, slow down and ask yourself, “How satisfied am I and if I’m still hungry, What do I Really Want?”
11) Pause in the middle of eating, to assess your level of hunger
12) Take a sip of water and tune into that hunger
13) Notice the eating habits of others around you – be curious and notice how far you’ve come!
14) Engage with others at the table – really enjoy the experience
15) Eat until you feel satisfied or feel the sigh coming on – notice the degree of satisfaction that you are getting from each bite
16) Become aware of the well meaning and often loveable food pushers – smile knowing that “you’ve got their number.”
17) Express yourself honestly, lovingly and firmly – Say, “No thank you, _____, it was all so delicious. I am satisfied, but I’ll take some to enjoy it later.”
18) When you’ve decided you’re satisfied, place your silverware on top of your plate, wipe your mouth with a napkin, place the napkin on top of the plate and move it to either your left or right side
19) Make sure to leave room for dessert, if it is important to you. It’s important to me! I’ll be making my Great Grandpa’s famous Apple Pie this year. You can find the recipe posted on the blog on Friday.
20) Acknowledge and thank yourself for having all this wonderful new awareness and committing to loving your body more and being gentle with yourself