The Thanksgiving Day Survival Checklist: Sips, Solids, and When to Stop

Thanksgiving stirs up more than gravy. It’s a holiday layered with food, family, history and for many of us, old habits and expectations that don’t fit who we are anymore. Whether you’re just beginning your bariatric journey or years beyond surgery, the holidays can test the boundaries you’ve worked so hard to build.

This year, let’s redefine survival. Not as “getting through the meal perfectly,” but as protecting your peace, trusting your progress, and giving yourself credit for the quiet ways you’ve grown.

Before the day spins up, pause for a sip. Water, coffee, a protein shake whatever grounds you. Sipping isn’t just hydration; it’s an anchor. A reminder that you control the pace, not the plate.

Try this: Keep your Inspire Protein shake or Alex’s Low Acid Coffee close by. Use it as your “reset moment” throughout the day. Every sip is a reminder of strength, not sacrifice.

The table may look exactly the same but you aren’t. You can still love the foods, the smells, and the traditions without letting them define your choices. Maybe it’s a few mindful bites of turkey and veggies, or maybe it’s your favorite side in a smaller portion.

It’s not about what’s missing, it is about what’s changed: your awareness, your confidence, your care for yourself. There’s no "right" plate, only the one that lets you feel proud when the day is done.

Knowing when to stop isn’t a rule, it’s a rhythm. That gentle fullness, that satisfied calm, that quiet “enough” those are victories.

And if someone questions it or pushes food your way? That’s their rhythm, not yours. You are evolving in ways they might not see yet and that’s okay. Some will. Some won't. So what!? Your progress doesn’t need to be explained. Celebrate it silently and still shine.

Survival isn’t just about what’s on your plate. It’s about trusting yourself to navigate the moments that used to undo you: the pressure, the comments, the memories, the noise.

You’re learning to listen to your body. You’re learning to show up differently.And even if no one else notices, that growth deserves a standing ovation (or at least a quiet, proud smile).

✅ Sip with intention

✅ Eat with confidence

✅ Stop with kindness

✅ Protect your peace

✅ Celebrate your growth

Thanksgiving isn’t just about gratitude for others, it’s also about gratitude for you. For every choice, every boundary, and every ounce of progress that’s gotten you here.

You’ve already done the hard work of change. This Thanksgiving, your only job is to honor it.