Since the "BIG" holidays are ahead of us, I though we could discuss how Thanksgiving went. Post what was different about this year and what we learned. If we didn't do as well as planned, we can discuss what we could have done differently.

I will start. My gathering was larger than I originally planned (14 people) with everyone bringing food. I kept to my original menu: Turkey/dressing/green beans/corn on cob/green salad w/ff dressing/fruit salad. (Couldn't find frozen cranberries so I just skipped them) Now others brought macaroni cheese/candied sweet potatoes/chicken and dumplings/pies/cake/ice cream/and a couple of other rich desserts. I was not tempted to sway from my original plan--I ate Core (dressing was made with Core cornbread but was counted) and was not even tempted by the other stuff. I used fruit salad as my "dessert." Had plenty to eat but was not stuffed. Spent my time concentrating on visiting and enjoying my guests. I also got through what is usually a stressful time for me and that is a whole week off from work. This time I kept my 2 granddaughters and was still able to stay focused on Core all week.

I am happy to report that I LOST 1LB! So I consider the holiday a success. Just 4 more lbs. to my Christmas goal!

I will add mine:

3 oz skinless turkey breast = 3 points
1/2 cup Basic Light Stuffing (my recipe is posted here long a go) = 2 points
1/2 cup modified Candied-Mashed Sweet Potatoes w/Marshmallows (canned sweet potatoes, fat-free buttermilk, skim milk, ICBINB Light Spread, small amount of brown sugar <could use all fat free and Brown Sugar Twin [sugar free brown sugar sub], mini marshmallows) = 3 points
1/4 cup Green Bean Casserole (first time I have ever had it - it's ok made with beans, 98% f/f soup, skim milk and the onions <will try making the W/W recipe for them next time>) = 2 points
1 roll = 2 points
1 tbsp ICBINB Light Spread = 1 point
1/2 Kelly's Deviled Egg (this is just hardboiled eggs + fat-free mayo with a bit of mustard - core) = 1 point
Diet Soda

I was satsified on that and even turned down my first try at pumpkin pie (2 nights in a row now).

I ate turkey, mashed potatoes with smart balance light added (counted for the margarine), sweet potatoes with smart balance light added (counted margarine), Two tablespoons of stuffing (counted points), splenda cranberry sauce, salad with homemade FF thousand island dressing, green beans. My favorite was the crustless pumpkin pie with FF cool whip. It turned out fabulous and I didn't feel deprived at all. I felt like I was having pie like everyone else. I wanted the crust but really didn't miss it at all.

The jury is out on my weigh in. I won't know until Thursday!

I'm worried about the Christmas sweets. I'm a sucker for homemade pastries.

I was pretty disappointed with myself over Thanksgiving. I had the best of intentions, but I didn't really stick to my plan. It didn't help that I had to go to 3 parties (my mother's, my mother-in-law's, and some friends.) I did ok at the first one, but by the end of the day all of my resolve to stick to CORE was gone. As a result, I think my weight is up, but I'm re-committing and hopefully can get back on track. I usually beat myself up over slips, but I'm trying to remind myself that I can't change what I've already done and just move on. Hope all of you had a great holiday!

I put this in another thread before this one was started

We had Turkey, of course-- Core

Mashed potatoes (from scratch, with no butter, just broth and skim milk)-- Core

Wild Rice & brown rice stuffing-- Core

(Since we were also having potatoes, either the potatoes or the rice dish, while Core recipes, had to be counted for Points. We chose the mashed potatoes to count.)

Green beans-- Core

Crustless pumpkin pie with FF Cool Whip-- the pie was Core, but the FF Cool Whip wasn't. Not many Points in FF Cool Whip though.

My wife and I split a jar of FF turkey gravy-- not Core, but the whole jar was just 2 Points.

We estimated that we were way under 10 Points each, even taking into account the gravy, the FF Cool Whip, and the potatoes.

So, it was a good day. BUT we both ate too much... we were past the "satisfied" stage and well over into the "full" or even "stuffed". But compared to other Thanksgivings we've had, this was an unqualified triumph!

I probably did okay but won't know for a while. I'm still sick and don't have an appetite, but it also hurts my throat to drink anything so right now I'm just at a stand still.

Maybe when things get better I can tell better. I did make a little soup last night from leftover turkey and that felt good on my throat, but I had to add a little butter and flour to thicken it. I guess for now, getting better is more important than staying on plan.

How did I do? In a word: Terrible!

I must have gained a couple of pounds this week. Thanksgiving Day turned into DayS at my parents' house in California, with relatives and food all weekend long. Oh well. Back to Core tomorrow.

One good note - everyone noticed my 20 pound loss! I hadn't seen my relatives since starting WW, so I was happy they noticed. I did manage to exercise one day, so it was not a total loss. Thursday is my weigh in, so we'll see!

Thanksgiving was great - but since then I have eaten anything and everything. I need to stop and get control. I did eat a CORE dinner tongiht and wrote down exactly what I plan to eat tomarrow. I have already cut up my veggies for tomarrow and they are waiting for me in the frig.