In all the excitement of enjoying Thanksgiving with family and friends we often forget what it is really all about. And NO it is not just about the fabulous food. It is a time to reflect back on your year and remember the people in your lives and your current circumstances and be grateful for where you are right now even if it is challenging;it was for the Pilgrams.

When the Pilgrams and the Indians settled into their three day celebration all that time ago,  the Pilgrams had just come through some really tough times. Upwards of 50% of the Pilgrams had died their first year in America. One day an Indian showed up who knew English and helped out the Pilgrims with ways to cultivate the land and basically survive in this new world. By their third year they had a bountiful harvest and invited their Indian friends to celebrate. And we have since celebrated Thanksgiving as a time to remember where we have come from and survived and be blessed with opportunity to move forward from this place.

So if Thanksgiving is about gratitude for overcoming tough circumstances what exactly does that have to do with eating so much you have to undo your pants top button to let your stomach out? Not sure, but if you are one of those people who go overboard with your eating on this holiday I have included approximations of calories for all those goodies you might be eating tomorrow. Hoping a little knowledge may cause you some second thoughts while indulging in some favorite dishes. Remember only 3500 extra calories and you have gained a pound of fat.

Let’s start with the drinks. I believe the Pilgrams and Indians drank water but…

1 glass wine              120 calories

1 cup eggnog              343 calories

1 mixed drink              250 calories

1 glass cider              120 calories

Snacks:

1 cracker w/cheese              70 calories

1 celery stalk w/cream cheese              45 calories

1/2 cup mixed nuts              440 calories

1/2 cup fresh fruit              60 calories

1 tbsp dip for chips              75 calories

1 ounce potato chips              150 calories

Salads:

3 cups salad with diet dressing              100 calories

1 tbsp ranch dressing              75 calories

1/2 cup gelatin w/ fruit              120 calories

1/2 cup waldorf salad              110 calories

Main Dish:

Turkey White meat w/ skin – 1 cup               276 calories

Turkey Dark meat w/ skin              310 calories

Bread stuffing – 1/2 cup               190 calories

Mashed potatoes (milk & butter) – 1 cup               237 calories

Cranberry Sauce – 1/2 cup              190 calories

Gravy- 1/2 cup              150 calories

150 caloriesGreen Bean Casserole – 1/2 cup              225 calories

Candied Sweet Potato – 1/2 cup              150 calories

1 Dinner Roll              110 calories

1 Pat butter              45 calories

Desserts:

2 Small Chocolate Chip cookies              150 calories

1 piece apple pie (1/8)              410 calories

1 piece pecan pie (1/8)              480 calories

1/2 cup whipped cream              75 calories

1/2 cup ice cream              145 calories

1 small piece fudge              70 calories

Thanks to www.About.com and www.Suite101.com for their stats….

You may be wondering if I am guilt tripping you on this most festive holiday and I say it’s not so. Believe me in our household we love Thanksgiving and this year we have so much to be Thankful for so we will be in the same boat as you tomorrow with the one exception being; my husband Lynn and I are determined to go through this year’s Holiday season losing body-fat. This is different for us as we usually gain weight from Holloween  till New Year  when we are 5 pounds heavier, sluggish and miserable. Looking in the mirror and saying, “Well all of January we will be working to get back to where we were before the Holiday’s.”  NOT THIS YEAR.

So you see this little entry is for me as well as for you. Tomorrow, when we go to our friends house to celebrate,  I am going to remember those serving sizes, drink alot of water and skip the seconds and still enjoy the holiday with our friends. Hoping you do the same.

Love to hear your thoughts, comments….

God Bless You,

Evey

It has been my pleasure over this past week to share with several different people on several different occasions the importance of weight training in their lives. Their ages ranged from 20 somethings to 70 somethings and all of them wanted to understand WHY they should weight train.  Why go to a gym, why get a personal trainer, why do a resistance class, why do push-ups  …what does it DO FOR ME?  Why is it so important? They wanted to know HOW it would improve their lives and HOW did it impact everyday stuff.   Well here it is;  your list of benefits you receive from weight training, lifting weights, polymetrics, strength training, resistance training and any other words that describe weight bearing exercises that cause your muscles to adapt.

1. Metabolism, metabolism, metabolism…did I write that enough times? Sorry but if you are a women over 30 and you constantly wonder why you just keep getting bigger and bigger no matter what…well here it is. Your metabolism naturally slows down as you age and if you are not being proactive and working to prevent that natural slow down well? And men, is your belly expanding larger and larger? (wrote all about metabolism in another entry, refer back to it for more info)

2. Prevent osteoporosis or the weakening of your bones by weight training which strenthens your bones. Recommend you get a bone density test done prior to beginning a weight training program and a few short months later repeat the test. You and your Doctor will be pleasantly surprised at your improvement.

3. Weight training makes you strong. We have helped many people just get strong enough so they can now walk across a large parking lot without taking frequent breaks or being able to walk up a flight of steps without a break or doing the steps one by one. Maybe you aren’t that weak now but lately I’ve been seeing more and more people young and old alike now getting in the motorized carts to shop in the big outlet stores like Sam’s Club or Walmart. What’s up with that? A little weak in their legs? Carrying to much weight around? Get yourself stronger so EVERYTHING else is easier.

4. Weight training makes you less prone to back injuries and/or helps people with back injuries lead less painfilled lives. How? By making your back stronger, core stronger and supporting your lower back and therefore making everything easier for you. We are and have worked with many, many people with back problems from the very minor back problems to people who’ve had back surgery and have pins in their back. 

5. Weight training improves your posture, your balance and your coordination. Wow lots of stuff you take for granted when you are young but start aging and these skills fall by the wayside. But if you keep weight training and continue developing these skills then quess what? Yes you can and will maintain them.

6. Weight training increases your good cholesterol, lowers your resting heart rate, lowers your resting blood pressure…so why NOT do it? All good things improved from a couple hours of weight training a week. Well worth the time and effort. Much better than taking and paying for medication.

7. Regular weight training has been shown to help people’s self-esteem, help depression and build confidence.

Pick anyone of these 7 benefits of weight training and it is in itself a good enough reason to find the time to do it. Combine all 7 benefits and all I have to ask is WHY NOT do it. Get started today. Don’t wait till there is a problem , be proactive with your health and make some positive changes in your life. If you have never lifted a weight or even been in a gym find someone who can help you. Stretch out and try some new things and who knows you just might live a long and healthy life.

Any comments and suggestions always welcome…

God Bless You,

Evey