"Annual Thanksgiving Day Weigh-In"

Every Thanksgiving, families from across the country gather together to celebrate and be thankful for all the people and opportunities they’ve had in their lifetime. In my household, it is a day of competition. Growing up in a competitive family, we’ve always found ways to make things a little more fun and compete against each other. For Thanksgiving, it’s a pre and post meal weigh-in to see who gains the most weight after dinner. The rules are simple… 

Each person must weigh themselves at least three times before dinner to make sure the number is as accurate as possible. The most consistent number that appears on the scale gets charted down as the official weight for each individual person. 

Food varieties range from small appetizers to heavy entrees. You may eat whatever, but be smart with what you fill yourself up on. Here are all the options left on the table… 

Appetizers: Stuffed Mushrooms, Cranberry Sauce, Cucumber Salad, Potato Salad, and Macaroni Salad. 

Sides: Stuffing, Mac n Cheese, Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, and Carrots

Entrees: Ham and Turkey

In total, there are seven competitors that step up to the plate each year. Myself, my father, my mother, my grandmother, my sister, and my dogs Bandit and Toby. To weigh the dogs, you must weigh yourself three times and then directly after, hold the dog and weigh yourself with the dog three more times. Take the added weight that your dog created and write that down as your dog's final weight. 

After dinner, each competitor weighs themselves again three separate times, to make sure the finalized weight is as accurate as possible.

Due to weight differentials, gained or lost weight is measured with body weight percentage to create an even playing field instead of measuring the number on the scale. 

About thirty minutes after the final weigh-in’s, the results are revealed and the score is announced in order from last place and finishing with the champion. 

This year, my dog Toby was the winner of the family. Throughout the fifteen year tradition, Toby’s seventh year of competing, this was the underdog’s first ever championship. 

If you’re looking for something fun to add a little more competition and excitement to your Thanksgiving festivities, I highly recommend playing this game with your family. The memories that my family and I have doing this every year are forever lasting and continue to be something we look forward to year in and year out.