Happy Thanksgiving… Scary… Well, since I work part time at Walmart as a cashier, holidays can be tricky. I was scheduled to work Thanksgiving, as usual. My son was going to be having Thanksgiving with his fiancé. My daughter and son in law were going to be cooking for her husband’s immediate family and she asked if I wanted to come for dinner.
I was happy to go over early and help her prepare the meal, but I was nervous, too. This was going to be my first holiday meal and I was determined not to veer off the plan. I had come WAY too far to go back now.
I got a text message from Dr. Jack, wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving. I was laughing to myself that it was his subliminal message to be good.
I arrived early and satisfied from having some eggs and vegetables for breakfast. I had been drinking my water all day and staying on track. When my daughter served the meal, I just kept thinking, “I promised myself on October 5th that I was going to do this. I knew Thanksgiving was coming. This is a test, and I can do this.” I took a few slices of turkey, some salad, and some fresh green beans she served. I ate it, enjoyed the company and sat on my hands for the rest of the meal. She served some beautiful desserts, but I just kept repeating to myself, “Eyes on the prize.”
After the dinner, I left and went home to get ready for Walmart. I sat on the couch and got all welled up with tears. I had done it!!! After all, did I really go for pie or stuffing? No, I went to share the day with them. I was able to do that, enjoy the food, and stick to what I was trying to do.
Easy??? heck NO. But I did it. And I was proud of myself. I had every right to be. I kept thinking about all those health professionals who had told me, “Just push yourself from the table…… You don’t have any willpower….. You obviously eat more than you say you do.” I thought I wish they could have seen that guess what??? I wasn’t the problem and neither was my willpower. I had accomplished exactly what they thought I was incapable of.
After, Dr. Jack and I talked about how another year, I might try a few things other than my plan, but for this year, no way was I going to chance it. I think the most important thing that I learned was that it would be MY CHOICE. And it felt good knowing that I was in complete control of the situation.
It really was a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!