The eating season officially begins with Thanksgiving. All habits of healthy eating and regular exercise vanish for those looking for a reason to abandon their goals. It is a tradition of excuses, bullshit, and lies we tell ourselves for halting our progress in hopes of the almighty New Year's resolution to save ourselves from the holiday blues we created. With upcoming threats and misinformation about shutdowns, the flames are being fanned with gale force political winds adding to the self-loathing.

Don't worry, sports fans, the games will still go on! Let me share with you tips on moderation that allow you to enjoy the family, and possible friends, gatherings to their fullest! The first tip is your mindset of one event causing complete chaos and destruction to your plans and established routine for the next five weeks. This is the biggest lie we tell ourselves and allow the train to begin its derailment. A two-hour party on Wednesday night can be fun without exploding into the entire week. Here are the ways to enjoy a weeknight party responsibly:

  • Do not show up to the party starving/not eating most of the day
  • Drink a glass of water after each cocktail/beer
  • Eat only one dessert item

Thanksgiving can be massive destruction with one day of celebration turning into four or five. I was interviewed on KLZ 560AM in Denver on the Rush to Reason show in November talking about this specific point. Go into Thanksgiving with the mindset of allowing yourself to cut loose on the day itself. Eat and drink what you want, as much as you want. Wednesday is a normal day of your eating and exercise plan, don't start the party early. Friday is back to the normal Friday of your routine also. For the weekend itself, get some movement in Saturday you may normally take off. Saturday night is your normal social night like any other weekend. When Sunday comes, back to being good for starting your week on Monday.

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Mindset is your best friend to manage weight gain, fatigue, and drops in self-confidence from the carnage.

  • Treat each day as its own, don't lump into a week of booze and debauchery
  • Allow yourself partying for 24 hours only on Thanksgiving and Christmas
  • Forgiveness going into and out of the major event

Notice I have not mentioned avoidance and depravation of fun, only moderation. Life is about people and the experiences we have with them. Enjoy your relationships and festivities that come with it during the holiday season. As we saw in 2020, the government likes us to keep us down whenever possible. Maximize your time with friends and family this year. When we are not at a gathering or event, stay on track with your normal habits. One day or event does not destroy a month or year of healthy habits. Learn to say no to invitations, friends understand you can't make every event out there.

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Remember the reason for the season: being thankful for your blessings and the birth of your spiritual relationship. I'm not advocating any religion with having a spiritual relationship, that is a personal choice. As we come to the end of a year, it is time to reflect on the past and what you want to birth for the new one. You don't have to believe in the story of Christmas to have your own metaphor on the birth of new ideas, relationships, goals, and spirituality of the upcoming year. Changing your mindset to gratitude from chaos on making each event can have a positive impact on the event itself, stopping you from the binge and purge.

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