Lose 10 Pounds In 30 Days: A Smart Thanksgiving

But the Thanksgiving holiday also serves up a valuable challenge for a group of WRAL employees, who 22 days ago adopted a new lifestyle -- a weight loss plan centered on the government's new food pyramid: more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and less fat and smaller portions. Their goal is to lose 10 pounds in 30 days.

Remember, they are not on a diet, but have changed their lifestyles -- and food-filled holidays are part of their lives.

Nutritionist Beth Collins, who has been helping the WRAL staff eat healthier, says it is very possible to enjoy Thanksgiving and stay true to the weight loss principle of burn more calories than those consumed (i.e., exercise).

"What I encourage (those on a weight loss program) to do is to eat normally during the day -- and if Thanksgiving is during dinner time -- certainly eat lunch, but eat up until that Thanksgiving meal so that you're not starving," Collins said.

With three weeks to practice moderation, WRAL news producer Jennifer Fauteux says she has a Thanksgiving plan.

"(I'm going to) participate in the meal, eating things, but have smaller amounts of the really tasty high-fat stuff," Fauteux said.

So does WRAL editing supervisor Lori Foushee, who says she just has to eat at Thanksgiving.

"I'm just going to have to do moderation," she said. "Small amounts -- and just not go overboard with what I eat."

Another way to cut calories is to choose lower fat white-meat turkey, instead of dark meat.

Some other useful tips to get through the Thanksgiving meal: