Take the KEEP IT UP, DAVID Thanksgiving Pledge!

Thanksgiving is a few days away. Are you ready? I love Thanksgiving, because I get to see my family, whom I very rarely get to see. But it is a holiday built around a feast, and I know I can undo weeks of hard work with a day or two of uncontrolled eating.

My Thanksgiving plate from last year.

For the past few years, I’ve given myself a couple rules to help guide me through Turkey Day. I’ve blogged about them during the past three years: they worked like a charm last year, and I broke both of them in minor ways in both 2011 and 2010. Even though I wasn’t perfect those years, the rules were still helpful, and I’m certain that on Thursday I can repeat last year’s success. In fact, I’m expanding my rules this year, and I’m going to make a pledge to myself that I will abide by them.

You should take the Keep It Up, David Thanksgiving Pledge too! Here are my rules:

1. NO SECONDS. I will indulge in a reasonable portion of whatever food I want, and I give myself permission to enjoy that food, but I will not go back for more. This includes dessert.
2. I WILL PHOTOGRAPH EVERYTHING I EAT DURING THANKSGIVING DINNER. Those pictures will end up on this blog. This means that all of you are going to help me maintain accountability. This rule is fitting because I’m a blogger, but I encourage everyone, blogger or not, to adhere to it. Taking 5 seconds and snapping a photo with your phone creates a record of your actions. You can’t ignore, deny, or forget about the food you’ve eaten when there’s a record.
3. NO GRAZING. A new rule for 2013! This will help during food preparation and clean-up times. I will not graze or pick at food as it emerges from the oven or gets transferred to serving platters or leftover containers. I must place all food that I intend to eat on a plate, and eat it at the dinner table.
4. EXERCISE! A new rule for 2013! This one is simple: I will exercise on Thanksgiving Day. I’ve exercised on Thanksgiving Day in years past, so this rule is only a formality.

I’m spending Thanksgiving in Colorado (for the 10th or 11th time), and I know my family will be supportive – and who knows? Maybe some of them will join me in following these rules. It ultimately doesn’t matter if they do or don’t, because I’m going to make a pledge, right here and now. Want to join in? Raise your right hand, and repeat after me: 

I, David Garcia [or insert your own name, duh], pledge that I fully understand the four rules listed above. I also pledge that I will follow all four rules on Thanksgiving Day in an effort to prevent uncontrolled eating. Keep it up, David! [or insert your own name, duh]

That felt good, didn’t it? I’m glad I’m thinking about this now, because I’m coming off of a bad week. My eating was crappy – junk food and bigger portions aplenty – and I skipped a couple workouts last week for no good reason. This week has already started out much better, and with my Thanksgiving plan in place, I can focus on having the best week I can.

Keep it up, David!