We are hosting Thanksgiving this year, since my mother-in-law's water heater exploded and ruined most of her kitchen.

I am cooking a ton of food today, and we're having 6 people over who don't know I've had surgery. I am almost 4 weeks post-op and very nervous. I'm worried I'll accidentally eat too much or too fast, and I'm worried my mother-in-law will try to push a bunch of food on me that I don't want to / can't eat.

Anybody else in the same boat? What's your plan? Any tips on how to handle in-laws who try to push food down your throat?

(PS - I already told her that my husband and I are dieting, and trying to stick to it even today, and her response was that she was bringing two desserts and, "Come ON, it's THANKSGIVING!")

Having the dinner at your house can be an advantage as you will be running back and forth, cooking, serving, etc.

That being said, I have found the perfect way to handle this--- I hope it will work for you too. When people try to push food, I accept it graciously and thank them profusely. Then I talk about how I am going to save it so I can really enjoy it and get the full flavor. I then wrap it up and put it away!

Hope this helps!

No, thanks, I'm stuffed works for me.

Edited November 27, 201411 yr by sprocket

I tell my guests that I grazed all morning making most of the dishes and I don't want to overdue it.

I also really put meat and greens on my plate and said I'm really trying to do low carb and stick to it. So with will power, no desert.

I actually did a thanksgiving on strict Atkins years before and I didn't cheat. Same deal.

I know your dinner may be over, but Christmas is coming too.

Thanks for all the advice!

It turned out to be my best Thanksgiving ever as an adult! I didn't overeat (not even by one bite!), no one noticed how much I was eating or not eating, and I ended up eating about 350 calories for the Thanksgiving dinner. Just an estimate based on MFP, and *way* more than I usually eat for a meal now, but I feel great about it!

WOOHOO! Major success!