Ah, Thanksgiving. A wonderful time, filled with families and turkey and families filled with turkey.
It’s so nice to get together with my family for the holidays. Of course, being at my parent’s house is very different than being home.
For one, it’s much louder; two cats don’t make that much noise. Certainly not an equivalent amount of noise as a dozen naturally loud people and their offspring. This can be overwhelming at times, especially for my husband who hasn’t been around it his entire life like I have.
Another thing that’s very different – that is more of a concern for me right now – is the food. I’m not speaking strictly of the Thanksgiving meal, because that’s everywhere this time of year. Heck, if we didn’t have dinner with my family, we’d make it ourselves, and then we’d have the leftovers to contend with for a week!
No, what I’m referring to now is the other food. The food that they have in the house all the time. The pancakes and bacon. The bread loaded with HFCS. The 1% milk. The chips with dip. The little chocolates wrapped in foil on the table.
It’s a constant struggle. Sometimes I do well. Other times I give in, and it’s like breaking the seal: It’s hard to stop once you indulge that first little bit. I plan on bringing a few of my staple foods so that I know I have a healthy alternative when I need it.
On the plus side, when I’m with my family, I usually get in a couple of good workouts. It’s weird: I almost feel more motivated to work out when I’m up there. I’m not sure why. It probably has something to do with a subconscious battle with my former fat self, who got fat in that house to begin with.
This trip I know I’ll get at least one good workout in, in the form of the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. I think most cities have a 5k Turkey Trot, this one is five MILES. This is what I’ve been preparing for, though, and I’m feeling pretty confident. I plan to run the entire course, and I want to do it in 57 minutes or less. I’ve run 2 five-mile routes in the last 2 weeks, so I know I can do it again. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I’m really excited that this year most of my family will be doing the Turkey Trot as well! My husband, sister and one brother are all doing it again this year (they joined me last year). It’ll also be both of my parents, and my sister-in-law. Friend #1 from my Road Trip this summer is doing it, too, as are a few of her other friends. It’s going to be a good group!
A group I hope to leave in my dust!
I’ll wait for them after I cross the finish line, though. It is Thanksgiving.
