I was determined not to overeat on Thanksgiving.  Ok, I know I’m in New Zealand but while you can take the woman out of America, you can’t take the America out of the woman.  So I always have Thanksgiving dinner.  This year WAS different for me.

I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that every Thanksgiving you prepare all your favorite things that you’ve enjoyed year after year around the holidays.  Right?  This year I didn’t.  I didn’t make my grandmother’s stuffing because I know I can’t leave it alone.  I didn’t make ANY fancy desserts because again, I would sneak a bite here and there when I was feeling low.  I cooked enough for one nice dinner and I ate more protein than I usually do because we eat a lot of beef and I have a tough time getting it chewed well enough to slip through the lap band.

After dinner I felt terrific and didn’t have any “after Thanksgiving dinner remorse” that I remember so well for SO many years.  Did you overeat or did you trim the menu this year so you wouldn’t be so tempted?

For those of us who are trying mightily to lose weight, we often dread the holidays because we know from past experience how those old familiar smells will get to us.  Think about walking in to your family home and smelling the freshly baked bread and pumpkin pie just out of the oven.  It not only brings the sensation that you really want to eat some, it brings back memories of a happy time.  Researchers will tell us that smell is one of the biggest things that can recall memories.

I was on the phone today with my son in Atlanta and he’s having similar problems.  Maybe it’s genetic.  He told me that he loved being with all his family for the holiday but he is feeling guilty ahead of time that he’s eaten too much.  How sad is that?

Every year about this time I sit down and think to myself that this year will be different.  I won’t eat all my favorite foods because I know as soon as I swallow I’ll regret it.  I crave the feeling I get when I eat food that brings back happy memories.  Maybe I’m just nuts in addition to being overweight.

My lapband is still in place and although I talk about overeating like I eat 9 platesful at every meal, I don’t.  I haven’t gained any weight but I still haven’t lost the last 30 pounds.  I know I’ll feel better healthwise if I get it off and I know I’ll be more active if I do, so I’m committed to getting it off.

Maybe I should just stick to a New Year resolution and enjoy myself.