Be Thankful...

I wanted to take a minute to post this today, on account I was not sure how many people would be reading the blog during the Thanksgiving Holiday.

That’s right folks, for this week the diet portion of the Lean Look Fitness Challenge is officially on hold! Starting Thursday the engorging on Turkey and other goodies begins. I’ll get to the specifics of that tomorrow in a special Thanksgiving Feast post, but for now generality will abound.

Ever since I was a kid my favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. Partly because I always felt grateful for everything I’ve had. This year is no different. I love the idea of getting together with my family, and most of all I love the food. When I was young I was all about eating enough turkey to keep me full for a minimum of three weeks. As I got older it changed, drastically. Now I don’t mind the eating, nay I LOVE it still, but I enjoy the preparation far more. I love the idea of cooking a huge meal for my family. I love working with my wife to prep food, I love making the food, and I love feeding people. Every year I fight to find friends that have no where to go that I can invite over to share in the feast with us.

So, for a guaranteed one day a year, I put aside all things diet and throw caution to the wind. I allow myself a weekend of eating well, with my amazing family, and great friends.

This year I also came to an amazing conclusion. I have so many things to be grateful for. No matter how bad it seems I can’t help but think “I am doing better than most, and not as well as some.” That’s right, compared to a lot of people I have it really well. I’ve been tested the last year big time, but it could be far worse. I’ve had some hard roads, and I’ve tightened the laces and trekked ahead.

So what about you? What do you have to be thankful for? Health, family, a great job? I want to encourage you to make a list, mental or on paper, of what those things are. Remember to be grateful for them. Remember them this weekend, and keep those less fortunate in your heart and in your prayers. Heck, if you want, feel free to share what you’re thankful for in the comment section.

I’m thankful for my awesome family. They love me for me, no matter how much of an ass I am at times.
I’m thankful for my friends who take the time to ride with me. Who never judge me, who push me to be better without being abusive.
I am grateful to the people who hold me accountable. Who push me to lose weight, get stronger, and ride harder.
I am thankful for you guys. That’s right, if you weren’t here to read this thing, I would have no reason to write it. Thank you for taking the time to read, share comments, and share stories.
Finally, I’m thankful for God. Who, while we might not always like His answer or understand it, always intercedes with Grace and Love. He has made me strong, he has put wonderful people in my life, and he is always there.

These are the reasons I am grateful this year.