My strategy, which I really hope works...

Starting a modified diet now, to go into Thanksgiving a few pounds down, now when it's 'easy' to diet.

Have a 12-hour endurance race in February that I need to train for, so that will get me on my bike when it's cold and nasty out.

Spending Thanksgiving with my BF, and we plan to ride as much as possible, stopping for a turkey sandwich to celebrate the holidy while we ride and ride and ride.

V- I love your idea of only eating the special foods. "Don't get distracted by the cheese...." That was the advice someone gave a friend of mine at a buffet in Vegas. Don't fill up on a piece of cheddar cheese you can eat any day of the year when there is something only served now.