special occasions

I posted a kind of comical approach to special occasions at one point and now I am really looking for advice. What do you consider special enough to "cheat"? Yesterday was my company picnic- lots of food and alcohol. I ate ok. I had just salmon and a very little salad- free all you could eat salmon how could I go wrong. but I drank at least 4 Segrums over the course of 5 hours. Tonight I am going to a George Thorogood concert- again drinking will be involved. Tomorrow I am going to the Patriots preseason game- once again tail gating will be very involved. Myself, Dh and 4 other guys are going. I am going to be bring the food.-- for some reason my Dh didn't explain that I am not the cooking type.....all of these are once a year type of things for me. I don't do them often but I am finding that I really am a busy person and it seems at least once a month I have a good "reason" to drink and eat. The eating has become much easier, for the Pats game I can bring what ever I need. I think that the drinking is the hardest- I have tried to do 1 water to 1 drink..... any thoughts anyone else struggling here???? donna

Hi Donna, I've just decided NOT to drink. The last time I had a ****tail, I dumped really badly and that was the start of my ulcer problems. And, I wasn't drinking that often, just one, once in a blue moon. It's full of sugar and empty calories. I've just decided, for me, that it's just not worth it. I've worked too damm hard to lose this weight to put it on again with alcohol. I know that a lot of people transfer one addiction for another. And, I think that I could have (if I kept drinking, cause I love the taste of margaritas) transferred my food addiction to alcohol. So, to me, it's just not worth it. I'd rather just drink my calorie free liquids, eat right and have fun sober. Just my two cents. And, of course, I think it's fine, once in a while, to be able to let loose and cheat a bit with the eating. As long as you get right back on track when the party season is over. The problem with going "off" the eating program is that our bodies get confused as to what we're doing to it and it takes longer to convince it that we've gone back to eating well. It's SO much easier for the body to add weight than to let go of it, as we all know... Have fun, just know when to say NO. Paula

paula, I'm with you. there are so few of us around. Koukla

I think you will be fine. I cant drink hard liquor. I only drink beer. and still am fighting issues with that. I have not gained any weight and can drink quite allot alot like I said Im truly not the person to ask since I have a addiction to alchol and am fighting it. I miss you guys. I will have my lap top back next week and will be posting with you all again. I only log on every other day now. My grandson threw a 8 pound weight at it. So the screen is messed up with the keys. Thank god it is covered. Have a good time. I went to rascal flats concert sat went tail gating and saw the concert 7 friends went we got a hotel room and partied in Newport Kentuckey. My god that place is the place to go. It is like Nashville. We are going back on Sept 30 to see Brad Paisley. Cant wait. Enjoy yourself. It onl;y happens once a year. Just drink slow. Because you will make a ass of yourself if you dont LOL Hugs barb

I agree with Paula. We worked too gain with empty calories. I always did and will prefer food over drinking. I could have a great time anywhere without drinking. You'll do o.k. just remember what you went thru to look and feel great. Koukla p.s. have fun

Hi Cutie!! Well here's what I think - for me. First I don't drink, so I can't comment on the drinking aspect of this. But substituting liquor for chips, or other things I might do -- in the old days, before WLS, I could make a special occasion out of going poop! I mean I was always having special occasions. I decided when I had this surgery that I wasn't going to do the special occasion thing, because FOR ME, that is the beginning of a life of special occasions. Now -- having said that -- my life is pretty dang boring and so it is easy to say. You, on the other hand, have an exciting life, a young family, and you have lots of occasions. So -- if I were you, I would do the special occasions, watch the weight, and if you see it going up -- back off, if you don't, then - well, go party!! Moderation in all things!! Now, was that a total cop out message or what!!! love donna